Odd facts you didn't know about George Clooney's marriage

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Odd facts you didn't know about George Clooney's marriage
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BY SARAH TAYLOR AND GILLIAN WALTERS/SEPT. 19, 2016 3:44 PM EDT/UPDATED: SEPT. 5, 2019 5:18 PM EDT
George Clooney, legendary long-time bachelor, swore he'd never marry again. Then Amal Clooney (née Alamuddin) waltzed into his world and threw the actor — and everyone else in Tinseltown — for a loop.

Rumors swirled that the couple was dating in September 2013, and though they were publicly spotted together in October that same year, George Clooney's reps vehemently denied the relationship. The unconfirmed duo became cozier as the weeks went by, and the pair was spotted again in February 2014, this time packing on the PDA at a White House screening of The Monuments Men. Even when it became clear the couple was a couple, the movie star never let on that he was head-over-heels, Tom Cruise-couch-jumping, crazy in love about Alamuddin.

Hollywood's notoriously unattached bachelor finally popped the question in April 2014. A 53-year-old Clooney and 36-year-old Alamuddin wed the following September and have been inseparable since — but that doesn't mean they've been exempt from the sort of oddities that have defined their relationship from the get-go. Let's take a closer look.

The Clooneys' government connections
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George Clooney is no stranger to politics, and being a humanitarian, he's aligned himself with initiatives connected to American presidents past and present. Meanwhile, Amal Clooney is a British-Lebanese lawyer and human rights activist, often representing high-profile clients affiliated with government entities, including controversial Wikileaks' founder Julian Assange and the revolutionary former Prime Minister of the Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko. In 2014, she was appointed to the UK Attorney General's international law panel. Both George and Amal even had their own bouts of face time with former President Barack Obama. The A-list actor has even hooked up with Obama privately to shoot hoops.

George Clooney battles the press over his wife
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George Clooney once penned an open letter, published by USA Today, to dispute media claims that his mother-in-law despised him. Clooney's ire was directed at the Daily Mail, which published an article in 2014 alleging Amal Clooney's mother was vehemently opposed to her daughter marrying the American celebrity on religious grounds and believed her daughter risked being "cast out of [their] community" if she went through with the nuptials.

The actor's lengthy open letter said the story was completely fabricated and morally and ethically egregious. "The irresponsibility in this day and age to exploit religious differences where none exist, is at the very least negligent, and more appropriately, dangerous," he wrote. "We have family members all over the world, and the idea that someone would inflame any part of that world for the sole reason of selling papers should be criminal."

The Daily Mail published an apology: "We accept Mr. Clooney's assurance that the story is inaccurate and we apologize to him, Miss Amal Alamuddin, and her mother, Baria, for any distress caused."

The movie star also battled Hello! magazine over a story claiming the Clooneys made their long-distance marriage work by utilizing social media and by following a rule "whereby [they're] never apart for more than a week." Once again, he issued a vociferous rebuttal and the magazine apologized. "Hello magazine has printed an 'EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW' with me that has been widely picked up and reprinted. Outlets like Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, The Sun, and The Evening Standard have all printed my exclusive interview and credited Hello! Magazine," he said. "The problem is that I have not given an interview to Hello! magazine and the quotes attributed to me are not accurate. In my experience, being misquoted is not unusual, but to have an 'exclusive interview' completely fabricated is something new. And a very disturbing trend," he stated.

We see a trend with you, George Clooney, and we'll tread lightly as we continue to dissect your relationship.

George Clooney's marriage proposal was "horrible"
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You'd think the man who's played devastatingly dashing roles in movies would be a regular Casanova in real life too, but not according to the story behind his marriage proposal. In an interview with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, George Clooney revealed that his magical moment was cringeworthy.

He told DeGeneres he cooked a romantic dinner for his beloved, but what followed was a trainwreck. "I've got it all set up," Clooney recalled. "Timed out and [our] song is coming, and she gets up to go wash the dishes, which she's never done. I'm like, 'What are you doing?' [She] comes back in, and finally I said, 'You know, I blew out the candle' and I said, 'I think the lighter's in the box behind you.' And she reaches around and she pulls out the box, and I've got just the ring sitting in there and she pulls it out and she looks at it and she's like, 'It's a ring' — like as if somebody had left it there some other time."

Though Amal Clooney didn't realize that the ring was that of the engagement ilk, Clooney tried to save the moment by making an array of romantic faces. He finally dropped down to one knee and said, "I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life without you." George Clooney told DeGeneres, "She kept looking at the ring and she was looking at me and she was like 'Oh my God.'" He said it took her about 25 minutes to answer the big question. The actor recalled telling her, "Look, I hope the answer is yes, but I need an answer — I'm 52 and I could throw out my hip pretty soon."

No, George Clooney doesn't miss his bachelor days
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George Clooney seems to have settled into married life nicely, which is wonderful, yet surprising given his once outspoken views on marriage and bachelorhood. After being voted People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 2006, he addressed his so called vow to "never marry again." Clooney said, "I haven't softened my position," reminding folks that he was married once before to actress Talia Balsam. A new Mrs. Clooney is "not something I'm looking out for," he said. "The truth is, I'm really happy."

"I haven't had aspirations in that way, ever," Clooney told Esquire in 2014. "I was married in 1989. I wasn't very good at it. I was quoted as saying 'I'll never get married again' pretty much right after I got divorced, and then I've never talked about it since."

Yet, in a 2015 interview with Harper's Bazaar, after marrying Amal, Clooney made clear that he's better off now than he was flying solo. "I'm a much happier person and we have a very happy life," he said. "We enjoy many of the same things and I very much enjoy the projects that she takes on because they have real consequence ... I have someone who I can talk to about anything, and someone who I care more about than I've cared about anybody."

Swooning yet?

Oops, George Clooney might be a spendthrift
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With a reported net worth $500 million, George Clooney undeniably lives a charmed life. From lavish vacations in Como, Italy, to his numerous estates, the actor isn't adverse to spending a pretty penny on the finer things. But does he spend too much? A source cited by Star magazine in August 2019 believes the answer is yes. 

"He thinks nothing of dropping tens of thousands at a time on designer suits, jewelry, antiques," the insider alleged (via Business Times). "It's gotten way out of control and Amal's grossed out by it. [He's] so used to his Hollywood-type girlfriends demanding nothing but luxury over the years, he assumed Amal would require the same." Apparently, Amal Clooney isn't thrilled with her famous husband's purchases because they clash with "her life's work" of humanitarian efforts. Since Amal is an international human rights lawyer, this actually kind of tracks. 

Of course, we have to take this report with a big 'ol grain of salt, especially since the couple's rep bluntly told Gossip Cop that it was "garbage" and "obviously not true." We're still curious, however, as to how this claim became a thing in the first place.

Amal Clooney banned George from doing what?
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Some fans might remember George Clooney's harrowing motorcycle accident that occurred on the Italian island of Sardinia in 2018. "I hit [the station wagon] at 70 miles per hour, so it was bad," the actor told The Hollywood Reporter. "I split my helmet in half. It knocked me out of my shoes. I was hit hard. I was just waiting for the switch to turn off because I broke his windshield with my head." Yikes.

Luckily, Clooney and pal Grant Heslov, who was also involved in the car crash, survived relatively unscathed. The downside? They're not allowed to ride bikes ever again. "Grant's off," the movie star told Us Weekly. "We screwed up and our wives were like, 'You can never get on a bike again.'"

We don't blame Amal Clooney for expressing concern about George's bike riding activities (they have two kids, after all), but it's arguably odd for a person to ban their spouse from an activity. It should have been more of a conversation, no? Then again, we weren't there, and this couple has to do what's right for their relationship. And if that's giving up motorcycles, then so be it.

ISIS has jeopardized the Clooneys' well-being
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As an international human rights lawyer, Amal Clooney works for clients who've been assaulted by terrorist organizations. One of these groups includes ISIS, which she accused of committing an "epidemic of sexual violence" in Iraq and Syria. Given the gravity of Amal's work, it's no surprise security has been an issue for herself and her family. George Clooney opened up about this exact problem in a May 2019 conversation with The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast, stating: "Everything changes when you have two kids on how you have to protect them. My wife is taking the first case against ISIS to court, so we have plenty of issues — real, proper security issues — that we have to deal with on a fairly daily basis."

Wow, we can't even begin to imagine what George and Amal Clooney have been going through. And although this isn't exactly an "odd" fact about their marriage, not many celebrity couples have to worry about their well-being thanks to ISIS, right? Here's to hoping the Clooney family remains safe throughout this ordeal.

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Why you never hear about George and Amal's twins
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BY GILLIAN WALTERS/APRIL 24, 2018 1:22 PM EDT/UPDATED: JAN. 29, 2019 12:17 PM EDT
Following intense months of speculation and excitement, Amal and George Clooney welcomed their twins, Ella and Alexander, in June 2017. Unfortunately for fans, however, the birth announcement didn't offer up many details about the babies. "Ella, Alexander and Amal are all healthy, happy, and doing fine," George's publicist said in a sparse statement to Variety. And while people were hopeful that Amal and George would dish more about their twins as time progressed, the new parents have remain tight-lipped about their kids. In fact, it's extremely rare for George and Amal to share info about the twins in interviews despite the incredible level of fan interest. So, why don't people ever hear about the babies? Although Ella and Alexander deserve the right to privacy (they don't get a say in this whole fame thing, after all), it is a bit odd that their parents never talk about them. And on that note, here's why you never hear about George and Amal's twins.

Amal doesn't like the spotlight
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Before Amal started dating George in late 2013, she was best known for her work as an international human rights lawyer. Of course, that all changed when Amal became "Mrs. Clooney," a role which required her to dodge the paparazzi 24/7. Overnight, Amal went from a quiet life working diligently on a high-profile human rights cases to being featured on the covers of national magazines. And if you're wondering how Amal handled this major shift, the answer is not well. In fact, Amal finds fame emotionally taxing. "It's a little like being in a parade, and it's not easy — particularly for [Amal] — because, in general, we live a very private life," George said in September 2017 of his wife's struggle, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Another source referred to Amal's relationship with celebrity as challenging. "Amal has a stressful career; the cases she works on are hugely important — but it's actually the less meaningful things that are really making life a challenge for her right now," a supposed insider explained in April 2015 (via The Independent). "She says she can handle the job stress because that's what she knows, but this whole celebrity thing, it's just much harder."

So, when you consider how much Amal struggles with fame, it makes sense that she doesn't put Ella and Alexander in the spotlight. Why would Amal want to throw the twins into the circus of Hollywood if she hates it herself, right? 

George & Amal are first-time parents
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Becoming a parent for the first time is an incredibly special experience, especially for someone who thought they'd never have a child. Both George and Amal, for instance, doubted that they'd ever be parents. "I didn't know that we'd have kids," a then 55-year-old George confessed to E! News in March 2017. Amal was as equally as doubtful, telling Vogue, "I was 35 when I met him [George]. It wasn't obvious that it was going to happen for me." Luckily for the couple, however, they were both on the same page about wanting kids. "There was an assumption that we didn't want children," George told The Hollywood Reporter. And then, after the wedding, Amal and I were talking and we just felt we'd gotten very lucky, both of us, and we should share whatever good luck we've got. It would seem self-centered to just have that belong to us."

Still, as much as the couple desired kids, it didn't make the whole parenting thing any less scary. "Suddenly, you're responsible for other people, which is terrifying," George said of the births (via People). And given how frightening parenting can be, it's understandable that the pair is hesitant about allowing fans into their world. Although George and Amal's fans might not be jazzed about their silence regarding Ella and Alexander, you can't really blame them for their reluctance in this area — it's a bit nerve-wracking to make parenting decisions with millions of eyes watching you, right? 

Their safety is top priority
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When Ella and Alexander made their big debut, the paparazzi went to great lengths to get their first picture. Case in point: In July 2017, A few photographers from the French magazine Voici scaled the fence of George and Amal's home in Italy to procure pictures of the twins. "Over the last week photographers from Voici magazine scaled our fence, climbed our tree and illegally took pictures of our infants inside our home," George said in a statement about the incident, according to Vanity Fair. "Make no mistake the photographers, the agency and the magazine will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The safety of our children demands it." Scary stuff, right? Considering it's pretty unnerving to have strangers competing to catch a glimpse of your kids, it's no wonder why George and Amal are so guarded when it comes to Ella and Alexander. Clearly, safety is a big reason why people don't hear about Ella and Alexander very often.

They spend a lot of time in England
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When you're a major celebrity who craves privacy, it's a good idea to find a low-key retreat where you can find reprieve from the public eye. For George and Amal, their frequently used hideaway is a pricey nine-bedroom mansion in the English countryside that includes a tennis court and nanny quarters. But the best perk of the home is that the couple can raise Ella and Alexander away from the hectic world of Hollywood. "We definitely do more things in our home to ensure privacy in a context where we can't otherwise get it," Amal said of upgrading the property to ensure maximum privacy, according to Vogue. Additionally, the house is perfect for the family because England has very strict laws regarding celebrity kids rights. In fact, British magazines can't publish photos of kids unless their parents give consent. So, if you're wondering why you haven't heard about Ella and Alexander lately, it's probably because they're hanging out in jolly old England — a locale where their privacy is guarded 24/7.

George and Amal aren't on social media
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Many celebrities love sharing snaps of their kiddos on social media. Take Pink, for instance. The singer is always posting adorable pics of her two kids, Willow and Jameson, to Instagram. As for Amal and George, however, they don't have social media accounts — at least not public ones. "If you're famous, I don't — for the life of me — I don't understand why any famous person would ever be on Twitter," Clooney said on the topic of social media, according to Esquire. "Because first of all, the worst thing you can do is make yourself more available, right? Because you're going to be available to everybody." Woah, tell us how you really feel, George. Of course, George and Amal's dislike of social media means that it's unlikely fans will see Ella and Alexander on the 'gram anytime in the near future. C'est la vie.

Amal kept her pregnancy mostly under wraps
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When Amal and George Clooney's baby news broke in February 2017, many people were shocked. For starters, Amal was five months pregnant when The Talk's Julie Chen confirmed the exciting development. Turns out the famous lawyer had used her fabulous fashion sense to successfully cover up the two growing buns in her oven, transitioning from tight, cropped tops to flowy dresses and layers as her pregnancy progressed. By doing that, Amal was able to keep her pregnancy under wraps for a nice chunk of time — a feat that is nothing short of impressive given her celebrity status. And considering Amal actively tried to ensure her pregnancy stayed hush-hush, it's no surprise she's as equally quiet about Ella and Alexander. Although it's not exactly clear why Amal chooses to stay tight-lipped about her family, it's probably because she wants to protect her good fortune. 

George & Amal want to enjoy their twins privately
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It goes without saying that first-time parents — or any parents for that matter — deserve the right to enjoy their kids privately. From special moments like a child's first step to other meaningful milestones, it's important that parents get the chance to treasure these moments behind closed doors. And George touched on this relatable sentiment when discussing whether he and Amal would sell photos of the twins to tabloids. "I know the price that's on our kids' heads, that photograph," George explained, according to USA Today.  We'd like to not do it. We've discussed it in detail, only to take the bounty off their heads, but it's really hard to do because we really enjoy it being ours. If we did it, we'd just donate the money. But my hope is that we won't have to." Welp, there you have it folks. All the secrecy surrounding Alexander and Ella probably boils down to the couple's desire to savor the twins' childhoods in private.

They have top-notch security
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High-profile celebs tend to have top-notch security teams, and the Clooneys are no exception to this phenomenon. And unsurprisingly, Amal and George upped their security detail once Ella and Alexander made their big debut. "Amal is already concerned for their safety, which has only got worse since the birth of their children," an insider shared with Grazia. " ... They are hell-bent on doing whatever it takes to protect the twins and they've told their security advisors that money is not an issue when it comes to ensuring their safety." As for what lengths the couple has gone to security wise, a source claims they increased their security team, "employing a round-the-clock guard service to surround their homes in LA, the UK and Italy." Additionally, "they've also added video surveillance, bulletproof walls, panic rooms and even basement bunkers," according to Grazia. Yeah, it's not difficult to see why people don't hear much about the twins when their security detail is exceptional.

George and Amal want their twins to be "happy"
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Celebrity parents are no different from non-famous parents when it comes to their children's happiness. Any parent, famous or not, just wants their kid to live a stress-free and carefree life, right? And if you want proof, look no further than George's interview with The Hollywood Reporter in September 2017, shortly after the twins were born. "The first thing you think is, 'I hope I don't screw this up.' I mean, look, we are all responsible for things in life, and Amal and I are responsible for each other in a way — we look out for one another and we care about one another," George shared, according to the mag. "But you are really responsible for two kids. I want them to be happy. I want them to have a sense of humor. I want them to be interested in things. I want them to be compassionate about other people's plights. Because that's the thing, you know? You have to have some sort of empathy." Obviously, George and Amal wouldn't want to potentially jeopardize Ella and Alexander's happiness by putting them in the spotlight.

Amal and George's brand is different than most celebrities
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Unlike other celebrities out there, George and Amal's brands don't involve their kids. Think about it: George has acting and his popular tequila company, Casamigos, while Amal focuses on human rights violations and other charitable causes. In short, George and Amal have lives outside of their children, and it seems that they prefer to keep it this way. In fact, Amal returned to work in September 2017, just three months after giving birth to Ella and Alexander. "She [Amal] has mixed emotions about going back," a source said about Amal resuming her career, according to E! News. "She has loved every minute of the summer with the twins and will miss them immensely, but she is also is looking forward to resuming her career work and getting back to it." And now that George and Amal are "back to it" with their high-profile jobs, it's no surprise that they've put dishing about the twins on the back burner. Although this fact might be a bummer to curious fans out there, you got to give the parents props for hitting the ground running when it comes to their professional lives.

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Well ok, this should be called 'Things You Didn't Know if You Weren't A Fan'!!