Meet Adelia Clooney, the Smartest of the Clooney Family According to Her Father

Adelia Clooney, George Clooney's sister, chose a career far from the limelight. Nevertheless, she is proud of her brother's successes and may have been surprised when he married again. Adelia initially thought the actor wouldn't tie the knot for the second time.

Hollywood veteran George Clooney is known not only for his good looks but most especially for his success as a talented actor. George has worked on several box office productions, including the "Ocean's Eleven" film franchise and "Syriana," which won him an Oscar.

George was born into a family in the entertainment industry. His father, Nick Clooney, was a news reporter and television personality, while his aunt, Rosemary Clooney, was an actress and singer. However, between two siblings, he and his sister Adelia "Ada" Clooney, only George went into show business.

George Clooney during the FYC Red Carpet for Hulu's "Catch-22" at Saban Media Center on May 8, 2019, in North Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Adelia Clooney and Her Brother Spent Their Childhood behind the Scenes at Their Father's Job

Adelia's parents, Nick Clooney and Nina Bruce Warren tied the knot on August 13, 1959. They welcomed their firstborn daughter, Adelia, in May of the following year and named her after Nick's grandmother Guilfoyle. In 1961, Adelia's younger brother, George, was born.

While growing up, she and her brother were exposed to Nick's work as a news anchor and would tag along to the studio. Nick recalled:

“I took them to work with me all the time. I couldn't stand to be away from them for any length of time."

Adelia's father believed that the exposure helped his kids understand the nature of his work, minimizing any resentment for having to move constantly. After moving from one residence to another due to her father's job, Adelia's family settled in Augusta, Kentucky.

Adelia Clooney Chose a Practical Job in Contrast to Her Brother's

Adelia excelled academically, being the only Merit Scholar from Augusta High School in 1987. She was even the class president and the co-lead in one of their school's plays. However, Adelia chose a career path away from the performing arts.

She became an accountant, a wife, and a mother. "Somebody has to do something practical," he said of her profession. Although she did not follow in her father's footsteps, Nick claimed she was the smartest in their family.

George Clooney during the 78th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on March 5, 2006, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Adelia was a proud older sister to George and would go out of her way to support him. However, she enjoyed being a mom, so much so that her brother teased her about being like an archetypal suburban mother sitcom character.

She was married to a Gulf Veteran, Norman, with whom she shared two children, Nickie and Allison. Tragically, Norman unexpectedly died of a heart attack in 2004 at 47 years old. This forced Adelia to leave her job and become a full-time mother. She said:

"I really enjoyed being a wife and a mother, and that kind of wound up taking precedence with me."

George Clooney attends the premiere of Michael Clayton during the 33rd Deauville American Film Festival, on September 2, 2007, in Deauville, France. | Source: Getty Images

George Clooney's Sister Adelia Didn't Believe He'd Get Married and Have Kids

Although Adelia rarely talks about her brother publicly, she once revealed she didn't think he would tie the knot after divorcing Talia Balsam in 1993. As an actor, George's job demands much time, so focusing on his family may be difficult.

Then again, Adelia didn't even know when her brother got hitched the first time. "I was not aware he was married until after he was married," she said.

Adelia also shared her sentiments in 2012 regarding George being named the People's Sexiest Man Alive in 1996 and again in 2006, calling it "odd" as she couldn't see him the same way.

Amal Clooney and George Clooney during the American Film Institute's 46th Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute to George Clooney at Dolby Theatre on June 7, 2018, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

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