Legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, 82, has officially become a U.S. citizen over six decades after leaving Canada. Mitchell announced the news on Instagram and X, sharing a photo and video from her naturalization ceremony. In the picture, she is seen smiling in a red beret and sunglasses, holding a small American flag on her cardigan. The second slide shows her being applauded as she steps forward during the ceremony, with her caption simply stating, “A journey that began 62 years ago.”
Born Roberta Joan Anderson in Fort Macleod, Alta., in 1943, Mitchell moved to the United States in the mid-1960s during a short-lived marriage to American musician Chuck Mitchell. She lived in Detroit and New York before settling in California, where she became a prominent figure in the Laurel Canyon music scene. While she now resides in Santa Barbara, Calif., she also maintains a second home on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast.
Known for hits like “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Woodstock,” as well as her acclaimed 1971 album “Blue,” Mitchell’s career has evolved from a folk singer in Toronto coffeehouses to one of the most influential songwriters in history. With 19 studio albums, she has garnered 11 Grammys, five Juno Awards, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The news of Mitchell’s U.S. citizenship has stirred mixed reactions on social media, with some celebrating the milestone while others questioned the timing, especially given her vocal political opinions in recent years. Mitchell’s decision to become a U.S. citizen does not mean severing ties with Canada, as she will retain her Canadian passport due to dual citizenship being allowed between the two countries.
Following a brain aneurysm in 2015 that affected her speech and mobility, Mitchell underwent a lengthy recovery process before returning to public performances in 2022. She was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Juno Awards in March by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Additionally, a biopic detailing her life story is reportedly in development, with director Cameron Crowe and actress Meryl Streep linked to the project according to IMDb.
