Since his divorce from actress Talia Balsam in 1993, George Clooney has dated 16 women. Vowing “I’ll never marry again” in a 1995 interview with Barbara Walters, Clooney kept his word, quickly gaining a reputation as an eternal bachelor. Known for his never-ending cycle of new girlfriends on the red carpet, Clooney usually debuted a new romantic interest around every two years. These women, often more than 15 years his junior and often hoping to emulate his fame, accompany the “Gravity” star to premieres, vacations at Lake Como, and more, enjoying the perks of celebrity. In addition, due to the increased exposure the relationship provides, some ex-girlfriends become minor celebrities in their own right; Stacy Keibler, Clooney’s most recent ex, nabbed a job hosting Lifetime’s Supermarket Superstar as well as an invitation to the famously exclusive Met Gala during her time with Clooney. Elisabetta Canalis, Keibler’s predecessor, appeared on the 2011 season of Dancing with the Stars shortly after her break-up with the “Up in the Air” actor.
Amal Alamuddin, a successful barrister and Clooney’s fiancé, clearly broke the pattern. 36 to Clooney’s 53, Ms. Alamuddin is an Oxford graduate, employed at the Dougherty Street Chambers in London with a focus on international law, human rights, criminal law, and extradition. Unlike Clooney’s previous girlfriends, Amal Alamuddin is a giant in her field, known for her work representing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. She reportedly met Clooney in October, although the actor issued a public denial of their relationship later that month. Actions speaking louder than words, Clooney took Alamuddin as his date to a February screening of his film “White House Down” held at the White House, where an anonymous source noted that the pair seemed “stuck like glue.”
In keeping with Clooney and Alamuddin’s humanitarian leanings, the engagement ring’s emerald-cut diamond is ethically mined. Clocking in at over seven carats and set in platinum, Clooney presented the ring on April 22nd, going the traditional route and proposing on bended knee. Luckily, the Alamuddin family has embraced Clooney, an anonymous family member noting that he was “very easy to get along with.” Clooney’s friends have also taken to Alamuddin; Matt Damon commented “we’re all really excited for him.” While Clooney’s ex-girlfriends might be less enthusiastic about the impending nuptials, the general public is eager to finally see his wedding.