George Clooney mourns loss of sister who dies at 65

Hollywood actor George Clooney is mourning the death of his elder sister, Adelia “Ada” Zeidler, who passed away at the age of 65 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Her death marks a deeply personal loss for the actor, who has often spoken about the strong bond he shared with her.

Ada Zeidler died on Friday, December 19, after enduring cancer for many years.

According to details cited by People magazine, her obituary notes that she passed away “peacefully, surrounded by the people she loved.” She spent her final moments at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Edgewood, Kentucky (USA). Funeral services are scheduled to be held today.

Born on May 2, 1960, Adelia Zeidler was the daughter of veteran television host Nick Clooney and writer Nina Bruce Warren. Though connected to one of Hollywood’s most famous families, she largely stayed away from the public eye and lived a life rooted in education and family.

In 1987, she married retired Army captain Norman Zeidler on March 14. The wedding was a notable family affair, her aunt, legendary singer Rosemary Clooney, performed during the ceremony, while her brother George Clooney read scripture. Norman Zeidler later passed away in 2004, leaving Ada a widow.

The couple had two children together, a son named Nicholas and a daughter named Allison. Professionally, Ada dedicated herself to teaching, working as an elementary art teacher at Augusta Independent School.

She was also recognized for her academic excellence, having been a National Merit Scholar during her high school years, according to Page Six.

Clooney opened up about his sister’s illness and character in a statement to People magazine, expressing admiration for her resilience and spirit. “My sister, Ada, was my hero," Clooney said. "She faced down cancer with courage and humor. I’ve never met anyone so brave. Amal (wife) and I will miss her terribly.”

Despite being related to a global movie star, Ada Zeidler maintained a low profile throughout her life. She rarely appeared in public alongside her brother, though she did attend his widely publicized wedding to human rights lawyer Amal Clooney in 2014.

George Clooney has previously acknowledged how close they were as siblings. Speaking to CBS in 2015, he said, “My sister, I’m very close to.”

Ada, in turn, was fiercely protective of her brother’s privacy. In a 2012 interview referenced by Page Six, she revealed that she deliberately chose not to store George Clooney’s phone number on her device. “I wouldn’t want to have it in my phone and then lose my phone,” she said. “He can phone me, and he does occasionally, but email is more convenient for both of us.”