Joni Mitchell becomes a U.S. citizen, 'a journey that began 62 years ago'
Legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell has officially become a U.S. citizen after living in the country for over six decades. The 82-year-old artist shared the news on social media, marking the end of a long journey that began when she moved from Alberta in the 1960s.
Why it matters
Mitchell's naturalization is a notable cultural event, particularly given her long-standing influence on American music and her recent vocal political engagement.
The 82-year-old artist shared the news on Instagram and X on Tuesday, posting a photo and video from her naturalization ceremony.
In the image, Mitchell is seen smiling and wearing a red beret and sunglasses, holding a small American flag with stars and stripes pinned to her cardigan. The second slide shows a video of her being applauded as she steps forward at the ceremony.
Her caption was brief: "A journey that began 62 years ago."
CBC News reached out to Mitchell's representatives, but did not hear back. CBC News found no further explanation of her decision elsewhere.
Born Roberta Joan Anderson in Fort Macleod, Alta., in 1943, Mitchell moved to the United States in the mid-1960s during a brief marriage to American musician Chuck Mitchell.
She lived in Detroit and New York before settling in California, where she became a defining figure in the Laurel Canyon music scene.
Also covering this story
2 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in