A Timeline of Amal and George Clooney’s Relationship
George Clooney believes that the 17-year age gap between him and his wife, Amal Clooney, serves as a reminder to cherish every moment they have together.
The 63-year-old actor shared with The New York Times that he and Amal, 47, have talked about their commitment to living life to its fullest in the coming decades.
“I had this conversation with Amal when I turned 60,” Clooney recounted. “I said, ‘Look, I can still play full-court basketball. I can still run around. I can still do pretty much everything I did when I was 30. But in 30 years, I’m 90. That’s a real number.”
“My dad just reached that age. And there are simply things you won’t be doing no matter how healthy you eat,” he added.
The couple said “I do” in 2014 and are parents to 7-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander. Although Clooney was one of the most sought-after bachelors in Hollywood for quite some time, he claims everything changed when he met his future wife.
“I wasn’t particularly looking to become a dad,” he recalled. “Then I met Amal, and we fell in love. Honestly, it felt like everything fell into place after that.”
Throughout the years, the “Ocean’s 11” star has expressed how Amal enchanted him and became his one true love.
Here’s a look back at their significant moments together as a couple.
2013: George Clooney meets Amal Clooney
George Clooney first met Amal Alamuddin at his residence in Lake Como, Italy, in July 2013, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
During an appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show, “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction,” he revealed that a mutual friend had introduced them. The “Ticket to Paradise” actor humorously noted he didn’t even need to step out of his house to meet the woman of his dreams.
“It’s wild,” Clooney told Letterman. “A mutual friend of ours said, ‘I’m stopping by and can I bring my friend?’ And I was like, ‘Sure.’ My agent later called to tell me, ‘I met this woman who’s coming to your house, and you’re going to marry her.’”
Interestingly, Clooney’s parents were also there and met their future daughter-in-law at the same time.
“The funny part was my mom and dad were visiting, so they were all there,” he explained. “We ended up talking all night… I got her email because she planned to send me some photos of my parents, and we started messaging each other.”
He added, “I wasn’t sure if she wanted to date me. I thought we were just friends.”
In a 2018 Vogue cover story, Amal shared her sentiments about their email exchanges: “Prior to that experience, I always believed in love that was overwhelming and didn’t involve too much weighing or decision-making.”
She remarked that their relationship “felt incredibly natural.”
October 2013: First date in London
The actor was spotted having dinner with Amal at Berners Tavern in London and later sharing a backseat car ride, reports E! News.
Clooney described their first date while talking to The Hollywood Reporter in September 2017. He invited Amal to visit him in London while he was filming “Monuments Men.”
“That was a great first date,” he shared. “Then we went for dinner. She suggested this super trendy restaurant. When we came outside, 50 paparazzi were waiting for us. She took it like a pro, and things escalated quickly once I was in London.”
Clooney has also mentioned that they spent Christmas of that year in Cabo San Lucas and went on a safari in Kenya together.
April 2014: Engagement
Clooney disclosed in his THR profile that he began planning his proposal to Amal in February 2014. By April 28, 2014, he had popped the question.
For the special moment, he prepared pasta for dinner and proposed “over champagne.”
“After dinner, I mentioned a lighter for the dinner candle was in the drawer, and she reached back and pulled out a ring,” he recounted. “I did what I was supposed to—got down on one knee… and she was like, ‘Holy s—!’ She kept staring at the ring, saying, ‘Oh my God.’”
He noted he was on his knee for “20 minutes,” waiting for her response because she was so stunned.
September 2014: Red carpet debut
By September 2014, the pair began publicly appearing together, marking their first major red carpet event on September 7—just weeks before their wedding.
They coordinated black outfits to attend the Celebrity Fight Night gala, benefiting The Andrea Bocelli Foundation and The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Florence, Italy.
Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night
September 2014: Wedding in Italy
Just a few months after becoming engaged, George and Amal Clooney tied the knot on September 27, 2014.
They exchanged vows in front of roughly 100 family and friends during a private ceremony at the Aman Canal Grande luxury resort in Venice, Italy.
Amal donned a stunning custom Oscar de la Renta French lace gown, while the Oscar winner sported a bespoke Giorgio Armani black tuxedo.
“George and I desired a wedding that was romantic and elegant, and I can’t think of anyone better than Oscar to bring this vision to life,” she stated in Vogue.
February 2017: Amal announces pregnancy
Amal’s pregnancy news broke in February 2017. Although the couple was discreet about it, Matt Damon confirmed the news during an interview on TODAY while extending his congratulations.
“We were working together last autumn, and he approached me on set to share the news. I was so thrilled for him!” he shared. “I hugged him… and asked, ‘Well, how far along is she?’ and he replied, ‘Eight weeks.’ Then I was like, ‘Don’t say anything!’”
The following month, George Clooney informed Extra that Amal was “doing really well. She is amazing. There’s not much I can do to assist; I can just make tea and such.”
June 2017: Birth of twins
On June 6, the couple became first-time parents to twins, son Alexander and daughter Ella.
George later revealed to THR that the twins were born a month premature, with Alexander weighing five-and-a-half pounds and Ella weighing four-and-a-half pounds.
“It was surreal,” he confessed about becoming a dad. “Everything is theoretical until it becomes real. It’s like, ‘Yeah, we’ll be parents, sure.’ And then suddenly you realize: ‘Holy s—. I’m a dad!’”
He added, “I want them to be happy. I hope they develop a sense of humor, curiosity, and compassion for others’ struggles. That’s incredibly important.”
March 25, 2021: Discussing fatherhood
The former “ER” star spoke with TODAY’s Hoda Kotb about the experience of fatherhood at the age of 56.
He noted that becoming a parent has provided him with “everything” he hadn’t realized he was missing.
“A sense of belonging, a sense of home, unconditional love—things you think you can find in a fulfilling career and a dog,” he joked. “But you realize it’s so much more than that.”
He explained that before meeting Amal and having their children, he felt his life was complete.
“Then I met Amal, and I understood how empty my life had been,” he reflected. “After we had our kids, I saw just how much joy was missing, and it filled my life with fun.”
October 2021: Promoting ‘The Tender Bar’
The Clooneys attended the red carpet for “The Tender Bar,” a film directed by George Clooney.
Karwai Tang / WireImage
During the London premiere on October 10, the couple radiated charm in Old Hollywood style.
While walking the Los Angeles red carpet, a reporter from Access Hollywood noted their seven-year marriage anniversary, to which George quipped, “Seven years? They said it wouldn’t last!”
“They actually did say it wouldn’t last,” he laughed.
Neil Mockford / GC Images
October 2022: ‘Ticket to Paradise’
The stylish couple graced both the Los Angeles and London premieres of George Clooney’s romantic comedy “Ticket to Paradise.” In the film, Clooney plays an estranged husband to his longtime friend, actress Julia Roberts.
MICHAEL TRAN / AFP via Getty Images
In an interview on TODAY, George emphasized that there weren’t any awkward moments during filming—except when “my wife and kids come by to visit” the set.
“On the very first day they visited,” Roberts chimed in, “it was like, ‘Papa, oh, Auntie Juju.’ I was like—‘Get them out, get them out!’”
“It was really bad,” Clooney admitted. “‘What are you doing, Papa? What is that?’”
Fortunately, Clooney later revealed his children (thankfully) weren’t there during the filming of any kissing scenes.
December 2022: Kennedy Center Honors
In December 2022, George Clooney was recognized for his extensive career at the Kennedy Center Honors.
Amal walked the red carpet right by his side at the Washington D.C. event. Leading up to the award, George expressed to The Washington Post that he aimed to “make peace” with aging and to truly live his life “as fully as possible.”
STEFANI REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images
He noted that in his younger years, he would have defined “living fully” as working constantly, but Amal transformed his outlook.
“Amal fundamentally changed that for me because now there is this great love, this magnificent family, and two kids that I never thought I would have,” he explained.
August 2023: Glamour at the Venice Film Festival
The Clooneys attended the 2023 Venice Film Festival on August 31, showcasing their elegance. Amal shined in a slip-style dress featuring an asymmetrical hem and drop waist.
Jacopo Raule/Getty Images / Jacopo Raule/Getty Images
The couple were also photographed boarding a boat heading to the DVF Awards, where Amal was honored with the Leadership Award.
Franco Origlia/GC Images / Franco Origlia/GC Images
September 2023: Elegance at ‘The Albies’
The pair looked fabulous and radiated sophistication at their Clooney Foundation for Justice’s “The Albies,” held at The New York Public Library on September 28.
Lexie Moreland / WWD via Getty Images
Amal dazzled in a shimmering white floor-length gown, while George opted for a classic black tuxedo.
Images captured the couple entering the event, accompanied by videographers and photographers eager to catch a glimpse of them together.
TheStewartOfNY / FilmMagic
This outing occurred just a day after they celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary on September 27.
December 2023: Making a splash on the red carpet
The glamorous couple turned heads in December 2023 as they walked multiple red carpets in England.
Neil P. Mockford / Getty Images
Initially, they were seen at the U.K. premiere of “The Boys in The Boat” on December 3. As they walked the red carpet in matching black outfits, the rain began to fall. George, ever the chivalrous gentleman, was photographed holding a clear plastic umbrella over Amal.
Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images
The next day, Amal walked a red carpet on her own at The Fashion Awards 2023 at the Royal Albert Hall, dazzling in a sparkling gold gown. This time, however, an assistant held the umbrella for her.
February 2025: George Clooney reflects on their age difference and making the most of life together
In an interview with The New York Times in February 2025, George Clooney stated that their age difference has motivated him to enjoy life to its fullest.
“I told Amal, ‘We have to concentrate on the next 20 to 25 years and make sure we fit in everything we can,’” he remarked. “Not just work, because no one at the end of their life thinks, ‘I wish I had worked more.’”
The actor also mentioned that meeting Amal in 2013 inspired him to embrace family life over his previous bachelor lifestyle.
“Finding the person you were meant to be with, especially at a particular age, makes everything afterward feel effortless,” he concluded.
