Hollywood icon George Clooney is grieving the loss of his beloved older sister, Adelia 'Ada' Zeidler, who has died at the age of 65 following a courageous fight with cancer.
A Courageous Battle and a Heartfelt Tribute
The actor, 64, shared the sad news, describing Ada as his personal "hero" for the bravery and humour she showed throughout her illness. In a statement to People magazine, Clooney said: “My sister, Ada, was my hero. She faced down cancer with courage and humour. I’ve never met anyone so brave. Amal and I will miss her terribly.”
According to her official biography, Ada passed away peacefully on Friday at St Elizabeth Healthcare in Kentucky, USA. She was surrounded by her loving family at the time of her death.
The Private Life of Ada Zeidler
Unlike her world-famous brother, Ada largely lived her life away from the public eye in her hometown of Augusta, Kentucky. She was a dedicated art teacher at Augusta Independent School and was celebrated in her community as a "talented artist."
Her obituary highlighted her academic achievements, noting she was a National Merit Scholar in high school. A keen reader, she was part of a local book club and an active member of the Augusta Art Guild. She had also served as a past grand marshal for Augusta's Annual White Christmas Parade.
Despite her preference for privacy, Ada publicly supported her brother on significant occasions, most notably attending his star-studded 2014 wedding to human rights lawyer Amal Clooney in Venice.
A Close-Knit Family Legacy
Ada is survived by her two children, Nick Zeidler and Allison Zeidler Herolaga, and her husband, Kenny. She also leaves behind her parents, Nick and Nina, her brother George and sister-in-law Amal, along with several extended family members.
The siblings shared a close bond rooted in their Kentucky upbringing. In a 2015 interview, George told CBS This Morning: “My sister, I’m very close to.” He once fondly recalled their family's tradition of spending Christmas morning delivering presents to strangers, a practice he said taught him that "we are all in this together."
The family is now mourning the loss of a cherished mother, daughter, sister, and respected member of her local community.
