Camila Alves becomes American citizen

New York: Matthew McConaughey's wife Camila Alves has been granted the US citizenship after 18 years of stay in the country.

McConaughey praised her on Facebook, writing, "Congratulations Camila on getting your US citizenship today, another fellow and great American."

Alves, 33, who married the Academy Award-winning actor in 2012 six years after they met, was born in Brazil and moved to the States at the age of 15.

Sharing her own thoughts on the occasion, she wrote on Instagram, "It is with great pride and honor that I am happy to say I now hold an American passport! I have so much respect and appreciation for this country... #newcitizen."