For decades, Robin Wright has been one of Hollywood’s most admired talents—a woman who carved out a career that few could rival. From her unforgettable role as Buttercup in The Princess Bride to her award-winning portrayal of the complex, calculating Claire Underwood in Netflix’s House of Cards, Wright has earned respect not only as an actress but also as a director and creative force.
Yet at 59, the Golden Globe winner is embracing a very different kind of life—one that doesn’t involve red carpets, industry parties, or the frenzied pulse of Los Angeles. Instead, Wright has found solace across the Atlantic, happily living in the United Kingdom. In a candid conversation with The Sunday Times, she made it clear that her move wasn’t temporary. For her, the U.K. isn’t just a change of scenery—it’s a place of peace, freedom, and self-discovery.
When asked why she has chosen to settle in England, Wright didn’t hold back. “America is a (expletive) show,” she bluntly admitted, while making clear she wasn’t talking about politics. Her frustration lies more in the culture and daily grind of American life.
She painted a picture of what she left behind: people stuck in endless traffic, frantically juggling phone calls, and scarfing down food in between meetings. “That’s most of America,” she said. “Everything’s rush, competition and speed.”
For Wright, the shift to Britain has been transformative. “I love being in this country,” she reflected. “There’s a freedom of self here. People are so kind. They’re living.”
Her words cut to the heart of what many feel when they leave fast-paced urban centers for quieter, more grounded environments. In Los Angeles, Wright explained, there’s constant pressure to achieve more, to own more, to build bigger. “Everyone’s building a huge house and I’m just done with all that − I love the quiet.”
At this point in her life, she isn’t interested in the endless race for material success. Instead, she’s seeking fulfillment in simplicity—a theme that resonates with many who reevaluate their lives after years of chasing traditional definitions of success.
Wright’s reflections reveal a woman who has come to terms with what she needs to be happy. “It’s liberating to be done,” she said. “Be done with searching, looking and getting 60% of what you wanted.”
That sense of completion marks a major shift from the younger Wright who fought her way through Hollywood’s unforgiving landscape. The entertainment industry often demands relentless ambition, but she seems relieved to no longer play that game. Instead of chasing what’s just out of reach, she’s embracing a life where “enough” is more than enough.
Her decision to step away echoes a larger cultural movement—people leaving big cities or high-powered careers to prioritize well-being, relationships, and personal fulfillment over constant striving. For Wright, England has provided the environment where she can finally exhale.
While she loves her new home, Wright admits there are aspects of British society she’s still trying to wrap her head around. What mystifies her most is the nation’s fixation on class.
“It’s very evident when you’re in a room and you feel the judgment or the praise of someone who’s more elevated,” she observed. The constant attention to backgrounds, schools, and universities has been an adjustment for someone coming from the more informal, if competitive, culture of California.
“I’m trying to figure it out,” she said. “Why are you guys so obsessed with who went to this boarding school or this university?”
Her curiosity highlights the cultural differences she has encountered. In the U.S., wealth and success often dominate social hierarchies, whereas in the U.K., old notions of class and education still play a powerful role in shaping people’s perceptions. For someone who values authenticity and kindness above titles, Wright finds herself navigating a new social landscape—but not one that dampens her love for her adopted country.
Perhaps one of the most personal revelations Wright shared is that she has found love again. “I’ve met my person. Finally,” she said, referring to Henry Smith, a British-Australian architect she has been involved with for about a year.
Her description of their relationship is refreshingly honest. She explained that she has always been comfortable being alone—something she has experienced many times before. But at this stage of life, she longed for something more enduring. “I want to grow old with somebody, and travel and see the world.”
It’s a sentiment that resonates with many who find love later in life, after the whirlwind of youth and earlier marriages. Wright has been married three times, most famously to actor Sean Penn, with whom she shares two children: Dylan and Hopper. Despite having experienced the highs and lows of romance, she says she has no interest in marrying again. “No. God no. Why? That’s just unnecessary.”
Her perspective underscores a shift in how relationships are viewed—particularly for women who have lived full lives. For Wright, companionship, shared experiences, and emotional intimacy matter far more than formal vows.
Despite her move away from Hollywood, Wright hasn’t left storytelling behind. She’s returning to screens with her latest project, The Girlfriend, an Amazon Prime thriller set to stream on September 10. In the series, she plays a mother who develops a chilling intuition about her son’s new love interest. Co-starring Laurie Davidson and Olivia Cooke, the series is expected to showcase Wright’s trademark intensity and ability to bring layered, conflicted characters to life.
This project signals that while Wright may be done with the chaos of Los Angeles, she isn’t stepping away from her craft. Instead, she seems to be curating her career more carefully—choosing projects that intrigue her and allow her to work while still enjoying the balance she has found in the U.K.
Robin Wright’s story is one of constant reinvention. From ingenue to leading lady, from actress to director, from Hollywood powerhouse to British countryside dweller, she has never been afraid to redefine herself.
What’s striking about her current chapter is the sense of groundedness she exudes. There’s no need to prove herself, no frantic energy to stay relevant in an industry that often discards women as they age. Instead, she is embracing peace, love, and creative fulfillment on her own terms.
Her decision also reflects a broader truth about how celebrities, like everyone else, seek meaning beyond fame and fortune. While her peers may still be competing for roles or spotlight, Wright seems content to step back and simply live.
Wright isn’t the first celebrity to find solace in Britain. In recent years, several Hollywood figures have opted for life abroad, citing similar reasons: a slower pace, greater privacy, and a deeper sense of community. For someone who spent years under the intense glare of the American press, the U.K. provides breathing room.
Her appreciation for kindness and “living” suggests she has found a culture that values connection and daily joys over relentless productivity. While she may never fully understand Britain’s class dynamics, she has clearly embraced its spirit.
At 59, Wright has become a role model for reinvention and authenticity. She demonstrates that it’s possible to leave behind an old life—even one as glamorous as Hollywood—for something quieter but more meaningful. Her journey shows that fulfillment doesn’t always come from accumulation or recognition, but from self-awareness, peace, and love.
Her words—“It’s liberating to be done”—may resonate with anyone who has ever felt exhausted by endless striving. For Wright, being “done” doesn’t mean giving up. It means arriving at a place of balance where contentment finally outweighs ambition.
With The Girlfriend about to premiere, Wright is once again stepping into the spotlight, but this time on her own terms. Whether the series becomes a hit or not, it’s unlikely she’ll feel the need to chase the next big project. Instead, her life in the U.K.—complete with quiet evenings, new love, and freedom from the Hollywood machine—seems to be the true prize she’s been searching for all along.
As she continues to embrace this new chapter, one thing is clear: Robin Wright has redefined success for herself. And in doing so, she’s offering a refreshing perspective not just to her fans, but to anyone wondering what it really means to live a fulfilled life.
