Richard Gere Relocates to Spain With Family, Vows Never to Return to the U.S., Blames Elon Musk
In a stunning move that’s sparked widespread media buzz, actor and humanitarian Richard Gere has officially relocated to Spain with his wife Alejandra Silva and their two young sons, declaring he has no plans to ever return to the United States. In a candid interview with El País, the 75-year-old star of Pretty Woman and Chicago made a series of pointed remarks about the current state of American society—reserving special criticism for tech mogul Elon Musk.
“America has become unrecognizable to me,” Gere said from his estate in the Spanish countryside. “The values I once cherished—compassion, privacy, respect for truth—they’re fading fast. It’s become a playground for billionaires and chaos merchants.”
Gere, who has long divided his time between the U.S. and Spain, now says the move is permanent. He and Silva, a Spanish publicist and activist, were married in 2018 and have increasingly distanced themselves from Hollywood in recent years. The couple’s decision to settle full-time in Europe was driven not just by a desire for a slower-paced lifestyle, but by what Gere describes as a “moral and philosophical estrangement” from modern America.
“Elon Musk symbolizes so much of what’s wrong,” Gere stated. “He’s not the only one, but his influence is massive. He’s turned platforms into battlegrounds, made cruelty and conspiracy mainstream, and masked it all as innovation. It’s dystopian theater, and people are buying front-row tickets.”
Though Gere didn’t specify which incident or policy pushed him over the edge, sources close to the actor say the final straw may have been Musk’s increasing influence over American media and politics—particularly through X (formerly Twitter), which Gere sees as a tool that’s “degraded public discourse.”
A longtime advocate for human rights and Tibetan independence, Gere is no stranger to controversy. He was effectively blacklisted from Hollywood for years due to his outspoken criticism of China. But this latest chapter marks a more personal protest—one where Gere is choosing not just words, but withdrawal.
“I’m not interested in fighting these cultural battles anymore,” he said. “I want to raise my children in a place where dignity still matters. Where decency isn’t a punchline.”
Gere and Silva have settled in a quiet town near Madrid, where they’ve purchased a historic villa surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. Locals report seeing the family frequently walking together in town, blending in without fanfare.
While many fans are disappointed by his vow never to return to the U.S., others are applauding Gere’s bold stance.
“He’s living his truth,” one commenter posted on social media. “You can’t fault a man for protecting his peace.”
Gere ended the interview with a wry smile: “I still believe in the dream of America. I just don’t recognize where it’s gone. And until it remembers who it is, I’ll be here—in peace.”
