George Clooney Mourns Sister Ada Zeidler, 65, After Cancer Battle: 'She Was My Hero'

George Clooney is mourning the loss of his older sister, Adelia ‘Ada’ Zeidler, who passed away at 65 after a battle with cancer. According to her obituary, she died peacefully on December 19 at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Edgewood, Kentucky. In an exclusive statement to People, the Oscar-winning actor remembered his sister as a “hero,” praising her strength and spirit in her final days.

“My sister, Ada, was my hero. She faced down cancer with courage and humor. I’ve never met anyone so brave,” Clooney said. “Amal and I will miss her terribly.” His words underscored the fortitude Ada showed throughout her illness, a bond he had previously highlighted. “My sister, I’m very close to,” he told CBS This Morning back in 2015.

While her brother's life unfolded on the world stage, Ada built a life defined by family, art, and community involvement in their shared hometown of Augusta, Kentucky, where she was a beloved figure.

A Life of Art and Privacy, Away from the Spotlight

Ada Zeidler was a talented artist and educator. For several years, she served as an elementary art teacher at Augusta Independent School. Her obituary lauded her academic excellence, noting she was recognized as a National Merit Scholar. Despite her connection to Hollywood royalty, Ada fiercely protected her privacy.

In a 2012 interview, she admitted she didn't even have her famous brother's phone number. “He can phone me, and he does occasionally, but email is more convenient for both of us,” she explained. Still, family ties remained strong; she notably attended George and Amal Clooney's wedding in Venice in 2014.

PRISM Insight: The life of Ada Zeidler offers a compelling counter-narrative to the culture of inherited fame. It demonstrates how a private life, rich with community and personal purpose, can coexist alongside a sibling's global celebrity, highlighting that influence and legacy are not solely defined by the spotlight.

Ada married Norman Zeidler, a retired army captain, in 1987. After his tragic death from a heart attack in 2004, she raised their two children, Nick and Allison, on her own. A funeral service for Ada will be held on December 22, with memorial donations suggested to the Knoedler Memorial Library in Augusta.