Richard Gere is preparing to say farewell to the United States.

The iconic actor recently sold his luxurious estate in Connecticut for $10.75 million, signaling the start of a new chapter.

At 75, Gere plans to relocate to Europe.

Known worldwide for his legendary roles, most notably in Pretty Woman, Gere’s status as a Hollywood heartthrob was solidified when he was named the Sexiest Man Alive in 1999 — a title he still embodies with his timeless charisma.

Born in Philadelphia and raised in Syracuse, New York, Gere has spent his entire life in the U.S. And in 2022, he bought a stunning New Canaan, Connecticut, property for $10.8 million, where he and Alejandra resided.

The expansive estate previously belonged to Paul Simon and Edie Brickell and boasts six bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a pool, various gardens, and a three-bedroom guest cottage across 32 acres.

Why is Richard Gere leaving the US?

There were rumors that Gere wanted to turn the property into a farm, but those plans never came to fruition. Instead, he has now sold the house, originally built in 1938, for $50,000 more than he paid for it.

So, what’s the reason? Well, it looks like Gere’s got his sights set on a new adventure.

The actor recently revealed his plans to move abroad, six months after first expressing the desire. In an April 2024 interview with Vanity Fair Spain, Gere shared that he hopes to relocate to his wife’s native Spain, so she can be closer to her family. The couple has lived in the U.S. since their marriage in 2018.

”For Alejandra, it will be wonderful to be closer to her family, her lifelong friends and her culture,” Gere said of Silva, 41,

Gere’s wife is a Spanish businesswoman, publicist, and dedicated activist who has been involved with numerous nonprofits focused on helping underprivileged children.

The couple’s love story began through their shared passion for charity work, meeting years before they began dating in 2014.

”She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so it is only fair that I give her at least another six living in hers.”

Is Richard Gere leaving the US because of Trump?

We know Richard Gere is politically engaged. In 2023, the famed Hollywood actor joined both Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill to condemn the ”abuses” carried out by the Chinese Communist Party against the people of Tibet, a region in southwest China.

However, despite his political activism and Buddhist beliefs, Richard Gere has no interest in running for Congress – a rumor that circulated a few years ago. His publicist, Alan Nierob, clarified that the speculations were ”not true.”

What’s clear, though, is that Gere is no fan of Donald Trump.

Back in 2016, the actor didn’t hold back, saying, ”Here’s a guy who’s obviously Mussolini,” in reference to the former president while in London to raise awareness about homelessness.

Alejandra Silva voted for Kamala Harris

As for his personal life, Gere’s wife, Alejandra Silva, has also been vocal in her support for Democratic leaders. In a recent post, Silva shared her thoughts on voting: “Voting for the first time was powerful, a reminder that my voice truly matters,” she wrote, encouraging her followers with, “You truly matter!!”

She ended her post with “#KamalaHarris” and a blue heart emoji, signaling her support for Vice President Kamala Harris.

But just to clarify, Gere’s decision to move doesn’t seem to be influenced by Trump’s election victory, a factor that has led many other celebrities to consider leaving the country. Instead, it appears his move has been planned for quite some time.

He has expressed his deep love for Spain and his desire to be closer to his wife’s family, saying, “I love Spain and the ability of the Spanish people to live transmitting joy and happiness.” He also shared that the move abroad will be a “great adventure because I have never lived full-time outside the United States.”

So, all that’s left is to wish Gere and his family the best of luck on their exciting new adventure across the Atlantic.

It’s also reassuring to hear that the actor still has a house “in the countryside near New York,” so it seems he’ll still have a foothold in the States.