George Clooney’s Bold Move: Why He Took His Twins to France for a ‘Fair Shot at Life’
Most parents dream of giving their kids the best possible future—but George Clooney decided to take that dream literally across the ocean. The Oscar-winning actor revealed that he moved his 8-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander, from Los Angeles to rural France, all in the hopes of giving them what he calls “a fair shake at life.” But here’s where it gets interesting: Clooney believes that Hollywood—and American celebrity culture—didn’t offer that kind of fairness.
In a recent interview with Esquire, Clooney shared that his family now lives on a peaceful farm in France, far from the flashing cameras of Hollywood Boulevard. “A big part of my childhood was spent on a farm,” he recalled. “Back then, I hated it. But now, watching my kids grow up that way—it’s wonderful. They’re not glued to iPads. They sit down for dinner with adults, help clean up, and actually participate in life.” According to him, it’s the kind of grounding childhood that fame and technology too often take away.
The actor and his wife, Amal Clooney—an internationally recognized human rights lawyer—were candid about their deep concern over raising kids in Los Angeles. “We were worried about what growing up in the Hollywood bubble would do to our children,” Clooney explained. “In France, people don’t care much about fame. It gives our kids the freedom just to be kids—without paparazzi following their every move or people comparing them to other celebrity children.”
That statement might ruffle some feathers. After all, is it really possible to escape fame in an age of global media coverage? Or is Clooney chasing a nostalgic ideal of privacy that simply doesn’t exist anymore? Still, his intention seems clear: to protect his children’s innocence as much as possible.
Privacy, in fact, has become a cornerstone of how the Clooneys run their home life. Amal recently revealed to Glamour magazine that she and George have a unique house rule: when guests visit, their phones go straight into a basket. “It’s getting harder to carve out private moments,” she admitted. “That’s why we host a lot of gatherings at home—so we can control that space. We take everyone’s phones at the door to make sure people can actually connect face to face.”
She went on to emphasize the importance of true connection and safety within their inner circle. “It’s about finding that balance—quality time with your family and friends, without interruption. We just want an environment where people can talk honestly and openly,” she said. “And we do everything we can to minimize how fame affects our kids.”
The couple has also drawn a firm line when it comes to exposing their twins to the public. “We don’t put our children out there,” Amal added. “You won’t find their photos online—we’ve always chosen to keep them completely private.”
It’s a stance that invites debate. Should public figures—especially those who built careers in the spotlight—be able to completely shield their families from fame? Or is that wish unrealistic in our hyperconnected world?
What do you think? Is Clooney right to escape Hollywood in search of a simpler life for his kids—or is it just another celebrity luxury disguised as ‘normalcy’? Share your thoughts below—this one’s bound to divide opinions.
