Joni Mitchell becomes US citizen at 82, six decades after moving from Canada
Legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell has officially become a United States citizen at age 82, six decades after moving from Canada. The milestone allows the artist to participate in US elections and marks a new chapter in her long-standing connection to American music culture.
Why it matters
Mitchell's naturalization is a notable cultural event for a major figure in the history of folk and popular music.
Canadian-born singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell has officially become a United States citizen, marking a significant milestone in a life and career closely intertwined with American music. As reported by Billboard and the Los Angeles Times, the 82-year-old musician shared news of her naturalisation on October 13, 2026, more than six decades after first arriving in the country. Mitchell announced the development on social media, posting a photograph of herself holding a small American flag alongside footage from her citizenship ceremony. The announcement brings a new chapter to a journey that began in 1965, when she moved to the United States with her then-husband, musician Chuck Mitchell.
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