George Clooney’s Sister Adelia “Ada” Zeidler Dies at 65 After Cancer Battle Family Shares Emotional Tributes

George Clooney and his family are mourning a heartbreaking loss. His older sister, Adelia “Ada” Zeidler, has died at the age of 65 after courageously battling cancer. The news was confirmed on Friday, Dec. 19, leaving the Clooney family and their Kentucky community in deep grief.

According to her obituary, Ada passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Edgewood, Kentucky.

George Clooney Pays Emotional Tribute

In an exclusive statement, George Clooney described his sister as a hero in every sense of the word.

“My sister, Ada, was my hero. She faced down cancer with courage and humor. I’ve never met anyone so brave. Amal and I will miss her terribly.”

His words reflect the profound impact Ada had on her family and the strength she displayed throughout her illness.

George Clooney’s sister, Adelia ‘Ada’ Zeidler. Credit: mhfuneralhome

A Life Rooted in Family, Art, and Community

Born on May 2, 1960, in Los Angeles, Ada was the daughter of journalist and TV host Nick Clooney and writer Nina Bruce Warren. Named after her great-grandmother, Ada grew up in a close-knit, artistic family and carried that spirit throughout her life.

Her obituary highlights her many passions and achievements:

• She was a National Merit Scholar in high school

• A talented artist and former elementary art teacher at Augusta Independent School

• Member of the Augusta Art Guild

• Active participant in a local book club

• Former grand marshal of Augusta’s Annual White Christmas Parade

Ada later studied in Louisville and Northern Kentucky and built a career as a bookkeeper while remaining deeply engaged in her community.

A Love Story Remembered

Ada married Norman Zeidler, a retired Army captain, on March 14, 1987, in Augusta, Kentucky. The Clooney family and much of their small hometown played a part in the joyful celebration. George Clooney read scripture during the ceremony, and their aunt, the iconic Rosemary Clooney, performed a romantic song for the couple.

Nina Clooney once said, “The whole town helped with the wedding. We couldn’t have gotten through it without them.”

Norman Zeidler tragically passed away in 2004 from a heart attack, a loss Ada carried with her for the rest of her life.

A Private Life with Rare Public Appearances

Although she lived privately, Ada occasionally appeared at significant family milestones. She attended George and Amal Clooney’s elegant wedding in Venice on September 27, 2014, where she was photographed alongside her brother.

Survived by a Loving Family

Ada leaves behind:

• Her children Nick Zeidler and Allison Zeidler Herolaga, and Allison’s husband Kenny

• Her brother George Clooney, his wife Amal, and extended family

• Numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins

• Her parents, Nick and Nina, who deeply cherished her

A funeral service is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 22, and the family suggests memorial contributions to the Knoedler Memorial Library in Augusta.

George Clooney and sister Adelia ‘Ada’ Zeidler in Venice, Italy, in 2014. Credit: Robino Salvatore/GC Images

A Legacy of Kindness, Courage, and Creativity

Ada Zeidler is remembered not for fame, but for her heart, her artistic spirit, and her unwavering bravery. To her family, she was a guiding light — a woman who lived with purpose, compassion, and quiet strength.

Her passing marks a profound loss for the Clooneys and for everyone who knew her, but her legacy will continue to shine in the community she loved and the family she inspired.