Richard Gere At 76: The Shocking New Life In Spain, Career Renaissance With 'Oh, Canada,' And Unwavering Activism

Richard Gere, the timeless Hollywood icon, has made a dramatic shift in his personal life and career, marking a significant new chapter as of late 2024 and early 2025. The Pretty Woman star, now 76, relocated his family from the United States to Madrid, Spain, a move that has captured global attention and signals a deeper commitment to his wife's Spanish roots. This personal change coincides with a notable career resurgence, anchored by a powerful new independent film and continued, unwavering dedication to his long-standing humanitarian causes.

The decision to sell his sprawling Connecticut mansion for over $10 million and embrace a new European lifestyle has been a major talking point, yet Gere remains intensely focused on his professional and activist endeavors. He continues to prove that his influence extends far beyond the silver screen, using his platform to champion human rights and spiritual wisdom. The coming year promises a blend of intimate family life in Europe and high-profile film and charity work globally.

Richard Gere: The Complete Profile and Biography

Richard Tiffany Gere is one of the most recognizable and enduring figures in modern cinema, known for his roles as the dashing leading man in classics like An Officer and a Gentleman and Pretty Woman, as well as his profound commitment to Tibetan Buddhism and human rights activism.

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• Full Name: Richard Tiffany Gere
• Date of Birth: August 31, 1949
• Age: 76 (as of late 2024/early 2025)
• Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Early Life: Grew up in Syracuse, New York, as the second of five children in a Methodist family. His father, Homer Gere, was an insurance salesman, and his mother, Doris Ann, was a homemaker. He was a musical child, skilled at playing the trumpet.
• Education: Attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst on a gymnastics scholarship, majoring in philosophy, but dropped out after two years to pursue acting.
• Spouses: Cindy Crawford (m. 1991; div. 1995), Carey Lowell (m. 2002; div. 2016), Alejandra Silva (m. 2018–present)
• Children: Homer James Jigme Gere (with Carey Lowell), and two young sons (with Alejandra Silva).
• Notable Films: Days of Heaven (1978), American Gigolo (1980), An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), The Cotton Club (1984), Pretty Woman (1990), Primal Fear (1996), Runaway Bride (1999), Chicago (2002).

The Madrid Move and A New Chapter in Spain

The biggest personal news surrounding Richard Gere recently is his decision to leave the United States and settle in Madrid, Spain. This significant life change, finalized in late 2024, was primarily motivated by his desire for his wife, Alejandra Silva, to be closer to her family.

Gere and Silva, who married in 2018, share two young children. The move, which involved selling their $10.75 million estate in Pound Ridge, Connecticut, underscores Gere's dedication to his family's happiness and well-being.

Despite the initial relocation, reports have emerged in early 2025 suggesting the couple is already considering a "US comeback," indicating that their life will likely be a blend of European and American engagements. This transcontinental lifestyle allows Gere to balance his new family focus in Madrid with his professional commitments in Hollywood and New York.

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Gere has spoken positively about his new life in Spain, noting aspects of the culture he prefers to the US, although the exact details of a potential permanent return remain fluid. The move highlights the actor's willingness to prioritize his family's needs over the traditional demands of a Hollywood career based in the US.

A Late-Career Renaissance: New Films and Documentary Work

At 76, Richard Gere is not slowing down; instead, he is embracing a new phase of his career focused on compelling, independent, and passion-driven projects. This includes a major dramatic role and a deeply personal documentary that reflects his spiritual journey.

The Highly Anticipated Drama: 'Oh, Canada'

One of Gere’s most talked-about recent projects is the 2024 drama, Oh, Canada, directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Paul Schrader (known for writing Taxi Driver). The film is based on the Russell Banks novel Foregone and premiered to significant buzz.

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In the movie, Gere delivers a powerful performance as Leonard Fife, a celebrated documentarian who is dying of cancer. The plot centers on Fife's final hours, during which he reflects on his life, including his time as a Vietnam War draft evader who fled to Canada.

The film boasts a high-profile cast, including Uma Thurman, who plays his wife, and Jacob Elordi. Gere has expressed his love for making independent films like this, which allow for a greater focus on character and detail, marking a departure from the big-budget studio films of his past.

Producing 'The Wisdom of Happiness'

Beyond acting, Gere has continued his work as a producer, notably on the documentary film The Wisdom of Happiness. This film, which was released in the US in October, is a deeply intimate look at inner peace and compassion, primarily featuring the teachings of his long-time mentor and friend, the Dalai Lama.

Gere’s involvement in the documentary underscores his lifelong commitment to Tibetan Buddhism and his friendship with the Dalai Lama. He has openly shared that the film explores how everyone can achieve greater happiness, reflecting his own spiritual journey and philanthropic interests.

Unwavering Commitment to Humanitarian Causes and Tibet

For decades, Richard Gere has been as renowned for his activism as he is for his acting. His spiritual beliefs and human rights advocacy remain a central pillar of his public life, connecting him to a global network of causes.

Gere is the long-time Board Chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), an organization dedicated to promoting human rights and democratic freedoms for the Tibetan people. His unwavering support for the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan cause is a defining element of his public persona.

In recent years, his humanitarian efforts have been recognized with prestigious honors. He was the recipient of the inaugural Visionary Award from Human Rights First, a testament to his decades of achievement in activism.

His recent activities also include:

• Joining the Global OncoThon with his wife, Alejandra Gere, to support cancer research and awareness.
• Speaking out on behalf of uncontacted indigenous peoples, criticizing the industrial world's treatment of these isolated communities.
• Promoting films that highlight social issues, such as a project where he played a homeless man in New York, demonstrating his commitment to raising awareness about vulnerability and poverty.

From his new home base in Madrid, Richard Gere continues to leverage his global fame to support the Gere Foundation and advocate for marginalized communities worldwide. His life in 2025 is a powerful testament to balancing a rich personal life, a renewed artistic drive, and a deep-seated passion for global justice and spiritual wisdom. The story of Richard Gere is one of continuous evolution, from a Hollywood heartthrob to a global humanitarian and family man embracing a new European lifestyle.