75-year-old Richard Gere announced plans to relocate to Madrid with his wife, Alejandra Silva, and their children, just in time for Thanksgiving. On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Gere explained that the decision stemmed from his wife’s Spanish roots and her wish to return to her homeland.

“My wife gave me about seven years here in the U.S., so now it’s time to spend some years in Madrid,” he said. Gere emphasized that their bilingual children would thrive in Spain and highlighted the importance of family ties for his wife.

Alejandra, who grew up in a close-knit Spanish family, is stepping into the role of matriarch after her grandmother’s passing, already planning large Sunday gatherings.

In an earlier interview with Vanity Fair Spain, Gere expressed excitement about the move, calling it a “great adventure” and an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone while immersing his children in Spanish culture.

In preparation for the move, Gere sold his Connecticut home for $10.7 million in October, marking the end of a chapter in the United States.