Legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, known for her poetic lyrics and genre-defying catalog, has revealed that, after 62 years, she has become a US citizen.
The 82-year-old, who first moved to the US in 1965 at the age of 21, shared the news on Instagram, posting a photograph of herself standing in front of dual United States and Department of Homeland Security flags.
© Joni Mitchell
Joni held a US flag in her hand and was beaming as she completed what she called "a journey that began 62 years ago." For the ceremony she wore black pants and a long-sleeved denim short with red floral appliques, and paired it with her trademark beret and oversized glasses.
Joni also posted a video of herself being applauded by family as she was called up to be sworn in as a citizen.
Joni's thoughts on Donald Trump revealed
It's unclear why Joni chose now to finalize the decision, but the outspoken singer has previously admitted she wished she could vote in elections in the US.
Two years ago at the "Joni Jam" held at the Hollywood Bowl, she called out "f**k Donald Trump" to cheers from the crowd, before adding: "I wish I could vote…I’m a Canadian. I’m one of those lousy immigrants."
Life-changing brain aneurysm
In 2015 Joni suffered from a brain aneurysm which significantly impacted her health and mobility. The singer had to undergo daily rehabilitation and physical therapy, and lived a very private life in the years after.
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"Polio didn't grab me like that, but the aneurysm took away a lot more, really. Took away my speech and my ability to walk. And, you know, I got my speech back quickly, but the walking I'm still struggling with," she told The Guardian in 2020.
Joni's return to the spotlight
In recent years, however, she made more public appearances, including the 2022 Joni Jam that saw her return to live performing for the first time in over 20 years.
She was joined by Brandi Carlile, Wynonna Judd, and Marcus Mumford.
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A music legend
The 10-time Grammy winner was born in Alberta, Canada on November 7, 1943, and battled polio at the age of nine. At 21 she moved to Michigan with Charles Scott "Chuck" Mitchell whom she had met in Toronto. The pair married that same year but divorced in early 1967.
However, Joni kept Chuck's last name and it's the name that turned her into a global star with a career spanning more than six decades.
Associated with the 1970s Laurel Canyon scene that included Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jim Morrison, and The Mamas and the Papas, Joni is known for timeless songs such as "Both Sides, Now', "A Case of You" and "Big Yellow Taxi," and her 1971 album Blue is frequently cited as one of the greatest albums of all time.
© Armando Gallo/Getty Images
She was awarded her 10th Grammy in 2026, making an appearance to accept the award for Best Historical Album for Joni Mitchell Archives – Volume 4: The Asylum Years (1976–1980), an archival release that celebrates one of the most creatively fertile periods of her career.