George Clooney Mourns the Heartbreaking Death of a Family Member

The 64-year-old acclaimed Hollywood actor has released a statement sharing how his beloved sibling died and paying tribute to her.

Adelia "Ada" Zeidler, the older sister of "Ocean's Eleven" star George Clooney, has passed away at the age of 65.

A respected teacher and artist, she passed away in Kentucky, where she spent her life devoted to family, education, and the arts.

Ada died on Friday, December 19, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Kentucky. Her family was with her. She lived in Augusta and taught art at Augusta Independent School, inspiring generations of students.

Outside the classroom, she joined a local book club and was active in the Augusta Art Guild. In 2004, she was honored as grand marshal of the town's Annual White Christmas Parade.

Born on May 2, 1960, in Los Angeles to Nick and Nina Clooney, she was a National Merit Scholar in high school. She brought that same energy and dedication to her teaching and community work.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Zeidler, in 2004. She is survived by her children, Nick Zeidler and Allison Zeidler Herolaga (with husband Kenny), her brother George, and sister-in-law Amal Clooney.

People confirmed that the actor's older sibling died of cancer.

Clooney said in a statement, "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."

The family asks that donations be made to the Knoedler Memorial Library in Augusta in place of flowers.

A funeral mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, December 22, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Maysville. A private burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Washington, Kentucky.