TLDR:
- Matthew McConaughey moved from Malibu to Austin, Texas in 2014 with his wife Camila Alves and three children
- The move was always part of his plan to raise his family with Texas values
- His family roots remain in Texas, including his 92-year-old mother and two older brothers
- McConaughey values Texas’s slower pace of life and “relationship with time”
- Despite his Hollywood success, he nearly quit acting during his rom-com years and considered alternative careers
Matthew McConaughey’s 2014 departure from Malibu, California, for Austin, Texas, wasn’t a sudden decision but rather the fulfillment of a long-held plan to return to his roots. The Oscar-winning actor, along with his wife Camila Alves and their three children, made the move after careful consideration of family values and lifestyle preferences.
The 54-year-old actor’s connection to Texas runs deep. Born in Uvalde and raised in Longview, McConaughey attended the University of Texas at Austin, initially planning to become a lawyer before his path led him to acting. His family ties remain strong in the state, with his 92-year-old mother and two older brothers residing there.
In recent interviews, McConaughey explained his appreciation for the Texas way of life. “This is where I have a great relationship with time,” he shared on the Today show. “Meaning 60 seconds feels like a minute, a mile feels like a mile.” This slower pace contrasts sharply with the rushed lifestyle often associated with Hollywood.
The decision to relocate wasn’t just about personal preference. McConaughey wanted his children – Levi, 15, Vida, 14, and Livingston, 11 – to experience the same upbringing he had. “I wanted them to have what I grew up around,” he explained, noting the “solid amount of common sense” that characterizes life in Texas.
His wife, Camila Alves, initially had reservations about leaving their established life in Malibu. “We were living a happy life in Malibu,” Alves told Southern Living magazine. “We had a beautiful house that we’d built together and put a lot of love and care into. We were raising our kids there. I was growing everything in the yard. I had bees making honey.”
The transition began when the family temporarily relocated to Austin to help McConaughey’s mother and brothers during an emergency. During this period, Alves noticed a change in her husband’s demeanor – a “peaceful but confident, energetic look.” When she asked if he wanted to move there permanently, his answer was a simple “Yep.”
For McConaughey, Texas offers more than just a comfortable lifestyle. He values the state’s “resources” and what he calls a “backbone of security.” The actor has maintained his connection to Texas throughout his career, regularly appearing at University of Texas football games and supporting local causes.
Before the move, McConaughey’s career had reached impressive heights in Hollywood. Starting with student films and commercials in 1991, he landed his breakout role as David Wooderson in 1993’s “Dazed and Confused,” delivering his now-famous line, “Alright, alright, alright.”
The early 2000s saw McConaughey become a romantic comedy staple, starring in films like “The Wedding Planner,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” and “Fool’s Gold.” However, he recently revealed that during this period, he almost quit acting altogether, considering alternative careers as a teacher, conductor, or wildlife guide.
Alves has found her own connection to Texas, noting similarities between the local culture and her Brazilian upbringing. “We grew up saying, ‘Yes, ma’am’ and ‘No, sir,'” she shared, drawing parallels between the two cultures’ emphasis on respect and manners.
The move has brought renewed focus on family traditions. “Ritual came back,” McConaughey noted, describing regular family dinners, Sunday church attendance, and evening storytelling sessions in the kitchen.
The couple married in Austin in 2012, two years before their permanent move. McConaughey describes Austin as “a very creative city in a state that is very structured,” appreciating its accepting nature. “The rule in Austin is ‘Be You’ – that’s always been the rule in this city,” he stated.
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