American writer Frances Mayes, 85, has been granted Italian citizenship by special merit. The announcement was made by the government on Friday, April 18.
The proposal was presented by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and approved by the Council of Ministers. The measure recognizes Mayes' cultural contribution through his work Under the Tuscan Sun, released in 1996.
Originally from Georgia, in the United States, Mayes lives between North Carolina and the city of Cortona, in Tuscany. It was in this Italian commune that she bought and restored an old villa, an experience recounted in the book that inspired the film of the same name starring Diane Lane.
The work remained on the bestseller list for more than two years. New York Times and has been translated into 54 languages by 2016.
The government's decision comes weeks after changes to Italian citizenship law. Since March 28th, recognition by descent now requires a direct link with parents or grandparents born in Italy. The new rule excludes millions of Italian descendants from the right to citizenship.
According to the official statement, the concession to Mayes is an exception justified by his “cultural contribution and promotion of the image of Italy abroad”.
