George Clooney Lives in France Because His Kids Were Never Going to Get a ‘Fair Shake at Life’ in L.A.

“I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood," the Oscar-winning actor told Esquire.

By Audra Heinrichs | October 8, 2025 | 10:24am

Photo Credit: Getty Images Celebrities Dirt Bag Dirt Bag

George Clooney Lives in France Because His Kids Were Never Going to Get a ‘Fair Shake at Life’ in L.A.

Remember in July 2024 when George Clooney penned an impassioned New York Times op-ed that urged then-President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race? Well, as well-intentioned as it might’ve been, it culminated in a poorly-run campaign fronted by a candidate who’s now hawking a tell-all. And, in the case of the Oscar-winning actor and Democratic donor, a transatlantic move.

In a recent interview with Esquire, Clooney said he and his wife, Amal, have left America to raise their two children on a farm in France. Why? Many reasons—namely, that he wanted them to turn out more normally than say…some rich L.A. kids.

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“We’re very lucky,” Clooney said. “You know, we live on a farm in France. A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm, and as a kid I hated the whole idea of it. But now, for them, it’s like—they’re not on their iPads, you know? They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.” A childhood of chores and learned competency? Devoid of iPads??? Fair enough! I’m sure the backdrop is some Architectural Digest chateau, but no matter…

Clooney continued: “I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood. I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life. France—they kind of don’t give a shit about fame. 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.”

As much as a working-class plebeian from Ohio can understand, I do. Kind of. Personally, I also wouldn’t want my kids anywhere near paparazzi or other famous people’s nepo kids. But the whole “fair shake at life” thing? Come on, man. The very fact that their refuge is a farm in France is proof positive that they still would’ve had it just fine—far better, in fact, than scores of children in this country and elsewhere. Gaza, perhaps. But hey, of course, a guy who’s been famous wouldn’t get that.

Wouldn’t it be nice if all of us could simply cut and run for the European countryside whenever we felt like we weren’t going to get a “fair shake” in this shithole?

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