New Delhi: Hollywood star George Clooney is mourning a heartbreaking loss. His elder sister, Adelia Ada Zeidler, has passed away at 65 after a long battle
with cancer. The Ocean’s Eleven actor shared touching words about her bravery, saying he and his wife, Amal, will miss her terribly.
Details of her quiet life away from fame and their close bond have now come to light. What made Ada George’s hero? Read on for the full story.
George Clooney’s sister’s demise
George Clooney’s elder sister, Adelia Ada Zeidler, died peacefully on Friday, December 19, 2025, at the age of 65. She had fought cancer for a long time, as reported by People magazine. Her obituary from Metcalfe-Hennessey Funeral Home states she passed away surrounded by loved ones at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Edgewood, Kentucky. A funeral service is set for Monday, December 22.
Ada led a simple life out of the Hollywood spotlight. Born on May 2, 1960, to TV host Nick Clooney and writer Nina Bruce Warren, she married retired Army captain Norman Zeidler on March 14, 1987. Famous singer Rosemary Clooney, their aunt, sang at the wedding, while George read scripture. Norman died in 2004, leaving Ada with two children: son Nicholas and daughter Allison. Page Six notes she worked as an elementary art teacher at Augusta Independent School and was a high school National Merit Scholar.
George Clooney praised his sister’s strength in an exclusive People interview. “My sister, Ada, was my hero,” Clooney said. “She faced down cancer with courage and humour. I’ve never met anyone so brave. Amal and I will miss her terribly.”
Despite her low profile, Ada shared a deep connection with George. She attended his 2014 wedding to lawyer Amal Clooney but rarely appeared publicly with him. In a 2015 CBS interview, George said, “My sister, I’m very close to.” Ada protected his privacy by not saving his phone number. In a 2012 interview cited by Page Six, she explained, “I wouldn’t want to have it in my phone and then lose my phone. He can phone me, and he does occasionally, but email is more convenient for both of us.”
