Joni Mitchell Becomes an American Citizen After 62 Years
NYA Staff
Joni Mitchell, one of the most celebrated songwriters of our time, officially became an American citizen on October 13, after living in the United States for more than six decades.
Born in Alberta and raised in Saskatchewan, Joni moved to the United States in the mid-1960s, beginning a remarkable musical journey that would take her from the folk clubs of Detroit and New York to the music scene of Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles.
At 82, Joni celebrated her citizenship with a ceremony, sharing a video and photograph on social media with the message, “A journey that began 62 years ago.”
Joni has maintained strong ties to her Canadian roots throughout her life, even as she became one of the defining voices of American music. Her songs, including “Both Sides, Now,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” and “Woodstock,” have influenced generations of musicians and listeners around the world.
At a Los Angeles concert in 2024, Joni remarked that she wished she could vote, joking about being a Canadian immigrant. Now she can participate fully in the democratic process of the country she has called home for most of her life.