More and more celebrities are choosing to step away from the heart of the film industry, opting for a quieter life for themselves and their children, from Europe to New Zealand. Among them are Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva, who have been living permanently in Spain since 2024 but returned to the United States to celebrate the Fourth of July. For the occasion, Silva posted on Instagram, sharing a glimpse of their festive day with their sons, Alexander, 7, and James, 6.
The family split their day between a boat trip and the holiday’s traditional fireworks, prompting Alejandra to reflect in her caption, “Deeply grateful for a life built between two countries, two cultures, and so many people we love. Today, we celebrate connection, family, friendship, and everything that reminds us that home is not only a place, but the people we carry in our hearts.”
The actor and his wife are making the most of their new life in the La Moraleja neighborhood, just outside Madrid. As reported by Hola!, Richard Gere is often spotted running errands, strolling undisturbed through Madrid, and engaging in activism by supporting charities such as the nonprofit Hogar Sí, which is dedicated to combating homelessness. The actor explained the reasons for the move in 2024 during an appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show: “My wife is Spanish and she gave me about seven years here, so we’re going to spend some years in Madrid with her family. Our kids are bilingual, so they’re going to flourish there.”
Like Gere and his family, many stars have chosen a life far away from Hollywood, primarily for their own well-being and that of their children. Some, like Sophie Turner and Pamela Anderson, have returned to their home countries. While Anderson chose to live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Sophie Turner returned to London in 2023 following the end of her marriage to Joe Jonas. Speaking with Flaunt in 2025, the actress said of her return to London, “I just feel so at home here; I never want to move again. Living in the States, I didn’t appreciate how much you need friends and family and how integral they are to your wellness until you’re away from them. I came back with an abundance of appreciation for them.”
Then there’s Amber Heard, who moved to Spain after her defamation trial with her ex-husband, Johnny Depp; as well as Lily Collins and her husband Charlie McDowell, who have been living in Copenhagen since 2024. In an interview with Elle, the actor said: “Life here is just so wonderful and so calm and bright. What I love so much is that there’s so much color and, yet, it’s so calm. I love being able to bike everywhere. It feels like a big city but also very intimate, and everyone is so nice.”
