Actor and producer George Clooney confirmed the death of his older sister, Adelia “Ada” Zeidler, who died at the age of 65 after a long battle with cancer. Speaking to People magazine, Clooney expressed his family’s deep sorrow and paid tribute to his sister’s strength.
“My sister, Ada, was my hero,” the actor stated. “She faced cancer with courage and humor. I have never met anyone so brave. Amal and I will miss her terribly.”
According to her official obituary, Ada Zeidler passed away peacefully, surrounded by the people she loved, at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Hospital, located in Edgewood, Kentucky, where she was receiving medical care.
Adelia “Ada” Zeidler lost her battle with cancer
George Clooney paid tribute to his older sister, Adelia “Ada” Zeidler, who died Dec. 19 after a battle with cancer. She was 65. https://t.co/QdbmHI4g8P pic.twitter.com/lSuHFsbok6
– E! News (@enews) December 21, 2025
Adelia Zeidler was born on May 2, 1960 in Los Angeles, the daughter of renowned journalist and television host Nick Clooney and writer and former beauty queen Nina Bruce Warren.
From an early age, she stood out for her academic and creative talents. During her student years, she was recognized as a National Merit Scholar, a distinction awarded to students with high academic achievement in the United States.
Ada developed a deep artistic vocation. She was a visual artist and served as an art teacher at Augusta Independent School, where she left her mark among generations of students.
Her love of culture led her to join the Augusta Art Guild and become active in a local book club, reflecting her passion for the visual arts and literature.
Her commitment to the community was also recognized when she was named grand marshal of Augusta’s Annual White Christmas Parade, an honor reserved for prominent figures in local life.
Family life and significant moments
George Clooney paid solemn tribute to his sister, Adelia ‘Ada’ Zeidler, after she died of cancer at the age of 65 on Friday: ‘I’ve never met anyone so brave.’ https://t.co/GJGHlOrXVS
– Entertainment Weekly (@EW) December 21, 2025
Ada Zeidler attended college in Louisville and Northern Kentucky, and also worked as an accountant.
In 1987, she married Norman Zeidler, a retired U.S. Army captain, in a ceremony in Augusta.
The wedding was a deeply family-oriented event: George Clooney read passages of scripture, while his aunt, legendary singer Rosemary Clooney, performed a romantic song for the newlyweds.
Although she led a discreet life away from the spotlight, Ada accompanied her brother at key moments, such as George Clooney’s wedding to Amal Alamuddin, held in Venice, Italy, on September 27, 2014.
Family, farewell and legacy
Ada Zeidler was preceded in death by her husband Norman, who died in 2004 of a heart attack.
She is survived by her parents, Nick and Nina Clooney; her children, Nick Zeidler and Allison Zeidler Herolaga, along with her husband Kenny; her brother George Clooney and his wife Amal, as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.
The funeral will be held Monday, Dec. 22, and the family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Knoedler Memorial Library in Augusta, a cause Ada supported.
For the U.S. Hispanic community, Ada Zeidler’s story is a reminder of the importance of family support, the value of education and the arts, and the strength with which many people face cancer, leaving a legacy that transcends fame and is anchored in community life.
