Oscar-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg has decided to leave Sintino, a picturesque village in northwest Sardinia, and relocate to Ortigia, a historic town in Syracuse, Sicily. The move comes just as Stintino’s mayor, Rita Vallebella, was preparing to honor her with an honorary citizenship plaque.
“We’re disappointed,” Mayor Vallebella admitted. “Also because the actress had made rave reviews about our area, expressing enthusiasm for the place, claiming she loved it and found a corner of paradise.”
Goldberg, known worldwide for her role in Sister Act among many other acclaimed performances, had previously spoken warmly about her time in Stintino. Those comments led the mayor to pursue the honorary citizenship recognition, believing the actress had formed a lasting bond with the community.
Initially, Goldberg appeared enthusiastic about the honor. However, she later shifted her focus to Sicily and decided to sell her luxury home in Pischina Salidda, a seaside village near Stintino. The property has been listed for €12 million, according to the L’Unione.
“Here I found extraordinary privacy,” Goldberg said of her time in Stintino. But despite the actress’s previous appreciation for the area, her change of heart has left local leaders feeling overlooked. Mayor Vallebella explained that Goldberg had even expressed excitement about meeting her. “He even said he couldn’t wait to meet me,” the mayor recalled.
“But then, without any communication, she snubbed us.” The mayor revealed that the decision to grant Goldberg honorary citizenship was made after the actress’s glowing remarks about Stintino. An email invitation for a private ceremony to present the plaque was sent, and the response from Goldberg’s representatives had been positive.
However, her decision to relocate to Ortigia shifted the narrative. The mayor described the change as tactless, though she emphasized that the town held no resentment toward the actress. “The way she made other decisions wasn’t very tactful, but we’re not offended,” Vallebella concluded.
Ortigia, the small island that serves as the historical center of Syracuse, has long attracted artists, celebrities, and travelers drawn to its architecture, culture, and Mediterranean charm. For Goldberg, the move appears to represent a new chapter in her time in Italy.
While Stintino’s officials expressed regret over losing the chance to formally honor her, they acknowledged the actress’s affection for the village and the positive attention her presence had already brought. For now, Stintino will move forward without its honorary ceremony, while Ortigia prepares to welcome its newest high-profile resident.