All About George Clooney's Sister Adelia 'Ada' Zeidler

Mar. 15, 2025

George Clooney and his sister Adelia Clooney on September 27, 2014 in Venice, Italy..Photo:Ernesto Ruscio/GC Images

Ernesto Ruscio/GC Images

George Clooneymay live his life in the spotlight, but his sister, Adelia “Ada” Zeidler, is far more private.

Ada, who was named after her great-grandmother, was born to journalist Nick Clooney and writer Nina Bruce Warren in 1960, one year before George. While the actor’s stardom rose, Ada attended college in Louisville and Northern Kentucky and worked as a bookkeeper.

Now adults, George splits time between the U.S. and Europe with his wife,Amal Clooney, and their twins, Alexander and Ella, while Ada reportedly resides in their hometown of Augusta, Kentucky.

Despite their physical distance, Ada stays connected to George. “My sister, I’m very close to,” the actor toldCBS This Morningin 2015.

Here is everything to know about George Clooney’s sister, Adelia “Ada” Zeidler.

She and George grew up in a small town in Kentucky

George Clooney with his parents, Nick Clooney and Nina Clooney.KMazur/WireImage

KMazur/WireImage

The siblings grew up together in the small town of Augusta, Kentucky.

George, whose first role inCentennialwas filmed in Augusta, also spoke of the city in a 2019 speech, perThe Tennessean. “All the things we see on cable news of people being unkind to one another doesn’t exist. They have to get along," he said. “I was really lucky to be raised in a small town like that.“

As of 2012, Ada reportedly still lived in Augusta.

Rosemary Clooney is her aunt

Rosemary Clooney.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

George isn’t the only famous Clooney in Ada’s family. Her father, Nick, had a prominent career in journalism, and her paternal aunt, Rosemary Clooney, was a renowned singer and actress.

In December 2010, Nick toldThe Ledger Independentthat Ada would serve as the grand marshal of Augusta’s White Christmas parade in place of Rosemary’s husband Dante DiPaolo, who fell ill prior to the event.

She and George played silly games as kids

As children, Ada and George played a few good-spirited games.

“They had taken [marshmallows], and they would lick one side of them, and throw them at each other. When I came in, there were marshmallows stuck all over the room,” she said, laughing.

She got married in her hometown

Ada married Norman Zeidler in Augusta on March 14, 1987. The whole family, including Rosemary, was in attendance and took part in the ceremony, per theKentucky Photo Archive.

George read scripture and Rosemary sang a romantic song for the newlyweds. “The whole town helped with the wedding. We couldn’t have gotten through it without them,” Nina said.

George is a proud uncle to her two children

Ada had two children with her husband Norman, who died in October 2004 of a sudden heart attack, according toThe Northerner.

The outlet reported that according to Nick’s website, Norman was a retired army captain. Ada and her husband shared a son, Nicholas, and a daughter, Allison.

George also spoke about his nephew toCBS This Morningin 2015. “I’ve got a niece and nephew,” he said, adding, “My nephew was just made prom king. From the high school that I went to where I was not named [prom king].”

She and her family donated a community center to their hometown

George Clooney attends the Lost In Space event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the OMEGA Speedmaster on April 26, 2017 in London, United Kingdom.Jeff Spicer/Getty

Jeff Spicer/Getty

Charity is a big part of the family’s roots. As George said in a 2019 speech, perThe Tennessean, the Clooneys also used to give back to the town during the holidays.

“On Christmas morning, when we woke up, before we could open any presents we would drive an hour and a half to some stranger’s home and spend the morning having Christmas with these people, bringing presents,” the actor said. “The understanding was that we are all in this together. It taught me so much.”

She attended George’s wedding in Italy

Adelia Clooney attends the wedding of George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin on September 27, 2014 in Venice, Italy.Robino Salvatore/GC Images

Robino Salvatore/GC Images

Ada traveled overseas to be there for her little brother when George married Amal in Italy on Sept. 27, 2014.

The bookkeeper was among the actor and the human rights lawyer’s star-studded guest list, which includedAnna Wintour,Matt Damon,John KrasinskiandEmily Blunt.

Wedding-goers, including Ada, were photographed getting into water taxis bound for the Aman Canal Grande luxury resort hotel, where the ceremony took place. The siblings’ parents, Nick and Nina, were also aboard Ada’s boat with George.

Surrounding the nuptials, the group was treated tothree days of festivities. Amal’s mother Baria opened up to PEOPLE about the big event. “George and Amal radiated love all night,” she said. “The wedding was so unbelievably special, it was legendary. These three days — the friends, the families, the atmosphere, everything — will stay with me all the rest of my life.”

source: people.com