Joni Mitchell Becomes U.S. Citizen at 82 After 62 Years in America

Q: After shaping American folk music for six decades, what finally drove Joni Mitchell to claim U.S. citizenship at age 82?

The clearest reported reason is that Mitchell wanted the right to vote in the country where she has lived and worked for most of her adult life. Mitchell has not given a detailed public explanation beyond calling it “a journey that began 62 years ago.” But recent reporting ties the timing to comments she made in 2024, when she told a concert crowd she wished she could vote in U.S. elections but could not because she was Canadian. Becoming a U.S. citizen now gives her that right while allowing her to keep her Canadian citizenship as well. Her decision also reflects a practical reality: although Canadian-born, Mitchell has been based in the United States since 1965, living in Detroit, New York and, most significantly, California, where she built the career that made her one of the defining figures of American folk and singer-songwriter music. She still has strong ties to Canada, but the U.S. has long been her primary home and professional base. So while Mitchell framed the move as the culmination of a 62-year personal journey, the strongest evidence suggests the immediate motivation was civic participation — finally being able to vote in the United States without giving up Canada.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 15

Joni Mitchell said she has officially become a U.S. citizen at 82, posting an Instagram photo with an American flag and video from her naturalization ceremony.
The Canadian-born singer moved to the United States in 1965 at age 21 after marrying American folk singer Chuck Mitchell, then built her career in Detroit, New York and Los Angeles.
Dual-citizenship rules mean Mitchell can keep her Canadian citizenship while adding U.S. nationality, according to KSL.
Mitchell had publicly lamented being unable to vote in U.S. elections, telling a 2024 Hollywood Bowl crowd, "I wish I could vote — I'm Canadian."
The citizenship change caps a 62-year U.S. life for the 11-time Grammy winner, who has also criticized Donald Trump and recently signaled opposition to ICE policies.