As the global phenomenon Stranger Things prepares to bow out with its fifth and final season, attention has turned to its breakout star, Millie Bobby Brown. The actress, who shot to worldwide fame as the psychokinetic Eleven, has navigated a unique path, choosing a life far removed from typical Hollywood glamour. Her story is one of a global childhood, a meteoric rise to stardom, and a conscious decision to find peace and normalcy away from the spotlight, rooted in family and a deep love for the simple life.
From Marbella to Atlanta: The Formative Years
Millie Bobby Brown's concept of home was shaped by constant movement from a very young age. She was born to British parents in Marbella, Spain, spent part of her childhood in Dorset, England, and then moved to Orlando, Florida, at the age of eight. It was in Florida that she first discovered her passion for acting, enrolling in classes that revealed her natural talent. Recognising her potential, her family made the bold decision to relocate to Los Angeles to support her dreams.
This gamble paid off spectacularly when, in 2015, Brown landed the career-defining role of Eleven in Netflix's Stranger Things. However, in a crucial move, her parents chose to base the family in Atlanta, Georgia, where the show was primarily filmed, rather than in Los Angeles. Brown has often credited this decision with providing a stable, protective environment that shielded her from the intense pressures of early fame. Georgia became the place where she spent her formative teenage years, transforming from a filming location into a genuine home.
A Grounding Life on the Georgia Farm
Today, Millie Bobby Brown's primary residence is a world away from the Hollywood hills. She lives on a large, working farm in rural Georgia with her husband, Jake Bongiovi, and their young daughter. This is not a stylised celebrity estate but a bustling, authentic farm filled with livestock, including sheep, goats, cows, horses, and chickens, alongside numerous rescue dogs and cats.
Brown is deeply involved in the daily rhythms of farm life, finding joy and therapy in the hands-on work. She is also a passionate advocate for animal welfare, running a dog sanctuary named Joey’s Friends. While her social media glimpses of this life led some to label her a "trad wife," Brown has firmly rejected that simplistic tag. She describes her choice as one based on a genuine affection for hard work, duty, and routine—a lifestyle that fosters creativity and happiness for her.
The Heart of the Home: Kitchen and Family Ties
Within her spacious farmhouse, Brown's favourite room is the kitchen. She turns to cooking as a way to manage stress, regularly preparing meals like steaks, paellas, and traditional British Sunday roasts—a culinary nod to her heritage. This ritual underscores the simplicity she cherishes amidst a high-profile career.
Family remains her anchor. Besides her Georgia base, Brown maintains a home in London, strategically close to her parents' residence. She splits her time between Atlanta and London based on her work schedule, though she has mentioned a preference for hotel stays when in the UK capital, keeping her London life private.
Reports also suggest that Brown and Bongiovi have invested in a holiday home in Salcombe, Devon—a picturesque coastal fishing village. The alleged property is said to be a modern, multi-bedroom house with sea views, perfectly aligning with her desire for peaceful retreats, though this purchase has not been officially confirmed.
As the curtains close on Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown's journey offers a compelling narrative of finding balance. She has seamlessly transitioned from a child star in the global glare to a woman who defines home not by glamour, but by the grounding presence of family, animals, and the earthy satisfaction of farm life in Georgia.
