George Clooney chose to leave behind the chaos of Hollywood to raise his family in a peaceful environment in France, aiming to provide his twins with a more normal childhood. Speaking openly in a recent Esquire interview, the actor explained that he and his wife, Amal, wanted their children to grow up away from the pressures of fame.
Choosing a Farm Life for Family Stability
At 63, Clooney and Amal live on a farm in France with their 8-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander. Clooney shared,
“I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood,”
and added,
“I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life,”
describing why relocating was essential for their family’s well-being.
“France — they kind of don’t give a s— about fame,”
Clooney said. He emphasized,
“I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids,”
expressing the desire to protect their privacy.
Describing daily life on the farm, Clooney noted,
“Yeah, we’re very lucky. You know, we live on a farm in France,”
explaining that his children have limited screen time and engage more with family routines, including sharing meals and helping with chores. The actor reflected on his upbringing in Kentucky, stating,
“Growing up in Kentucky, all I wanted to do was get away from a farm,”
but now finds himself incorporated back into simpler living by driving a tractor and embracing farm life.
Amal Clooney’s Approach to Family Privacy
Amal Clooney has also spoken on creating private spaces for their children amid public life demands. She shared,
“Creating private moments and spaces is becoming increasingly difficult,”
and explained her strategy during gatherings:
“But that’s also why we entertain a lot at home. I now have a phone basket that I use to take everyone’s phones away!”
She stressed their commitment to protecting the family’s privacy:
“We don’t put our children out there; we’ve never put their photo out there or anything like that.”
Balancing a Quiet Family Life with a Busy Career
Despite embracing a more subdued lifestyle, Clooney continues to manage his acting career alongside fatherhood. This year, he completed his Tony-nominated Broadway performance in Good Night and Good Luck and appeared in Noah Baumbach’s film Jay Kelly, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
Reflecting on this major life transition, Clooney summarized:
“They have a much better life,”
highlighting the importance of his family’s well-being over fame and public attention.
