There are quite a few things to know George Clooney for. One is his acting career, which has made him one of the wealthiest celebrities in the world. He was the lead actor in titles like Michael Clayton, Ocean’s Eleven, and The Ides of March. Another reason is his marriage to Amal Clooney, a British Lebanese barrister whom he has been married to since 2014. In addition to his high-profile marriage to the human rights activist, George is also renowned for his philanthropic gestures, which have seen him go up against dictators and corrupt governments.
The Actor’s Famous Marriage to Amal Clooney Is His Second
So much of George Clooney’s story in pop culture is attached to his marriage to Amal Clooney that it is fair if you did not know he used to be married to another woman. For a brief period in the early days of his career, he and Talia Balsam were married. They got married in 1989 and were together until 1993.
After many relationships that saw Clooney date some of the most beautiful women in the world, the actor began a relationship with Amal Alamuddin in 2013. The two met through a mutual friend in July and quickly developed an affection for each other. They were first spotted at a dinner on October 24, 2013. Later, they attended the White House screening of the movie, The Monuments Men, produced by George Clooney.
A few months into their relationship, George proposed to Amal during a small dinner at his house. The actor gave the international lawyer a 7-carat emerald-cut diamond set in a platinum ring that cost over $750,000.
Just over a year into their relationship, they became officially married on September 27, 2014, at Ca’ Farsetti, the Venice city hall. The former mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni, officiated the wedding. In preparation for starting their family, Clooney and Amal bought the Mill House on an island in River Thames. The purchase set them back £10 million.
The Couple Are Now Parents to Two Kids
George and Amal Clooney might not be royalty in the most basic sense, but they are one as far as celebrity culture is concerned. That is why the birth of their children received massive media attention, just like their wedding.
The couple confirmed their pregnancy in February 2017, three years after they got married. The CBS talk show, The Talk, announced the famous couple’s pregnancy to the world, sharing they were expecting twins. Four months later, on June 6, 2017, the couple gave birth to Ella and her brother named Alexander.
To raise their children, George Clooney took a two-year break from Hollywood. He returned and appeared in three episodes of Catch-22 in 2019. He is expected to star in The Midnight Sky, an upcoming science-fiction film he’s directing in 2020 or 2021.
Their Divorce Rumors Were False
It wouldn’t be a major Hollywood relationship if tabloids did not spread rumors of a divorce. For George Clooney and Amal, the rumor first hit the airwaves in February 2019. It claimed a few inside sources gave insight into the state of the relationship, citing the incompatibility of their professions as a cause. The rumors also claimed Clooney spent his nights partying.
It was also claimed that the couple was having another set of twins to save their marriage. However, further investigation has revealed it all to be false. Not only is their marriage in good shape; they have announced they have no intention of having more children.
George Clooney Is Related to President Abraham Lincoln
George’s mom Nina Bruce, earned a living by working as a city councilwoman. She was also a beauty queen. His father Nick Clooney, worked in the entertainment industry as an anchorman and television host. He worked for several media outlets like KNBC, WKRC, WKYT-TV, and a few others. He also ran a congressional campaign in 2004 to represent Kentucky’s 4th Congressional district. Despite starting with a commanding lead, he lost the race.
Perhaps the most interesting fact about George Clooney is his relationship with the former American president, Abraham Lincoln. His maternal great-great-great-great-grandmother, Mary Ann Sparrow, was the half-sister of Nancy Lincoln, the mother of the American president.
Apart from his parents, George Clooney’s family members include a sibling, Adelia, better known as Ada. She lives a very private life. Ada has three children and is a widow; she lost her husband sometime in 2004.
He Has Famous Extended Family Members
George Clooney also has a lot of extended family members in the entertainment world, including actors Miguel Ferrer, Rafael Ferrer, and Gabriel Ferrer. Miguel is famous for his roles as Vice President Rodriguez in Iron Man 3, Shan Yu in Mulan, and for playing FBI Agent Albert Rosenfield on the original run of Twin Peaks.
Others include the singer and actress Rosemary Clooney, who was his aunt. She lived from 1928 to 2002 and came into prominence with songs like Come On-a-My-house and Tenderly. The iconic actor also has another aunt, Betty Clooney. She was also a singer and TV presenter and found fame in the 50s along with Rosemary.
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Examining George Clooney’s Life of Philanthropy
With his net worth of $500 million, George Clooney is more than capable of donating money to any cause of his choice. However, like his films, he has taken a more leading role, pursuing various social and political solutions for positive change in several countries.
He is an active member of the Not On Our Watch Project, an organization dedicated to drawing attention and stopping mass atrocities. He also once produced a telethon, Hope for Haiti Now, to raise money for victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
Clooney’s hands-on approach has also included staging a play to raise money for the American Foundation for Equal Rights. In March 2012, he starred in a play about the federal trial that overturned California’s Prop 8 ban on same-sex marriage.
As part of his work to stop political conflicts around the globe, he drew public attention to the Darfur conflict. He and his father also spent ten days in the country to make a documentary about the lives of Darfur refugees. They donated proceeds from the documentary to the International Rescue Committee.
The Actor Has Co-founded at Least Two Philanthropic Organizations
George Clooney’s quest for global peace has also led to the establishment of two organizations. First, the Satellite Sentinel Project, which he co-founded with John Prendergast. The project aims to use satellite technology to monitor armed activities between Sudan and South Sudan.
His other organization, Clooney Foundation for Justice, was founded along with Amal Clooney in late 2016. The organization focuses on advancing justice in communities, classrooms, and courtrooms around the world.
Other philanthropic efforts by George Clooney include recognition of the Armenian Genocide and helping in the resettlement of refugees of the Syrian Civil War. He is also a supporter of gun control in the US and has criticized the Sultan of Brunei over LGBT rights. For the latter, he once wrote an open letter advocating for a boycott of the Sultan’s hotels around the world, particularly in Hollywood.
