Consummate bachelor and Hollywood playboy George Clooney spent a healthy amount of his adult life denying that he would ever get married again – while chasing every woman who happened to turn his head, of course. He was the bastion of bachelorhood, a salt-and-pepper-haired gentleman with a captivating smile who spent his free time paling around with other actors struck with Peter Pan syndrome. He even went on record half a dozen times declaring to the media that he would never marry nor have kids.
Never say never.
When George Clooney announced his engagement to Amal Alamuddin in 2014 after a brief courtship, the whole world was intrigued by the mysterious and beautiful woman who had finally stolen the heart of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor. It turns out, she was the catch all along. So much more than just a bored trophy wife tasked with appearing polished and poised on her husband’s arm for red-carpet appearances, Amal happens to be one of the most brilliant human rights lawyers in the world. Not only is she statuesque, stylish, and gorgeous, but she is also a key player in major international affairs.
You will regularly find her spearheading highly publicized cases, like the trial of President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, or representing lightning-rod personalities like Julian Assange of Wikileaks in court. Her husband has repeatedly told the press that she is “the smartest woman I know” and, clearly, she is leagues beyond what one might expect from the non-celebrity wife of a Hollywood A-lister.
It turns out, she was the catch all along.
While Amal was born in Beirut, her family was forced to leave the country during the Lebanese Civil War when she was only two. The Alamuddin family resettled in the English county of Buckinghamshire, where she attended Dr Challoner’s High School and Oxford University. In 2001, she received her LLM from New York University and performed a notable clerkship at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the future Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Sonia Sotomayor.
Afterwards, she landed a position at New York’s top-ranked law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, where she represented high-profile clients like Enron and Arthur Andersen. She switched courses in 2005, tackling international human rights as part of a United Nations tribunal that was responsible for prosecuting the people behind the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Not only is she deeply respected in the highest courts of the world, but she also has the ear of some of the most powerful people in politics and governance. She does it all, while balancing raising her and George’s twins Ella and Alexander, who were born to the couple in 2017.
While her status as George Clooney’s wife has shaped her into a global style influencer, Amal has not stepped down from her role as a human rights lawyer. Instead, she is parlaying her skills into teaching, recently returning as a visiting professor at New York’s Columbia University. It’s no wonder that this brainy beauty and mother of two has seized the public imagination. We’re celebrating her with a closer look at her sizzling red-carpet gowns, polished business attire, and sexy date-night looks – all of which are always accompanied by pitch-perfect poise and the adoring glance of her handsome husband, of course.
Amal and George Clooney appear together at the premiere of Money Monster at the 69th Cannes Film Festival.
Mrs. Clooney looks ravishing in a sparkling Versace gown at the Hail, Caesar! premiere in Berlin during the 66th Berlinale International Film Festival.
Amal plays matchy-matchy with the red carpet in an embroidered floral dress at the premiere of Hail, Caesar! in Hollywood.
The human rights lawyer gears up for a busy day of work in a tailored pinstriped suit at the trial of President Mohamed Nasheed.
In her gleaming silk gown, she is as radiant and golden as the Oscar statuettes that her husband has won.
The two clearly only have eyes for each other, which is why the Clooneys have been the epitome of #CoupleGoals since they first got together.
In an elegant black gown and elbow-length gloves, Amal plays the role of the refined Hollywood wife – but we all know that she’s really the better half of the duo.
She demonstrates her style prowess in a covetable Saint Laurent fringed cape.
Amal stays ahead of the style curve in over-the-knee leather boots.
In a gorgeous ombré teal trench by Burberry, she is every inch the regal London lawyer.
She channels Jackie O. on her way to an important meeting with the Pope.
Hollywood’s hottest couple embraces the sizzle factor for date night.
When you’re the constant center of attention, why not embrace it with a vivid and eye-catching red trench?
Amal knows that the right balance for a splashy leopard-print topper is minimalist trousers and footwear.
With her baby bump on full display, Amal prefers a figure-hugging Atelier Versace gown for her red-carpet appearance.
She balances her polished professional wardrobe with sexier, casual options for date night.
Chevron trousers and a feathered top prove that Amal belongs on the style A-list.
Another polished, professional ensemble comes by way of a prim Gucci frock and vintage Dolce & Gabbana bag.
On her way to trial, Amal proves that high-powered careers and high fashion are mighty fine companions.
Despite her many red-carpet appearances, Amal can let loose too. In neutral basics and comfortable denim, she truly is a woman of the people.
For a high-profile appearance at the Venice Film Festival, Amal embraced a classic Hollywood look in a lilac gown that flattered both her figure and her skin tone.
A vibrant ikat pattern added a splash of unexpected tropical style to Amal’s red carpet appearance at the premiere of Suburbicon.
Amal went full-glam for her Met Gala moment, making sure all eyes were on her as she crossed the expansive red carpet.
In an eye-catching shade of canary yellow, Amal ensured that her look went viral on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s big day.
Almost a year to the day since the birth of her twins, Amal was back on the red carpet in a look that proved her ability to bounce back.
Amal stepped out in Manhattan dressed in a powerful all-white ensemble.
Amal and George make a stunning appearance on the red carpet for the Catch 22 premiere in London.
Amal chose a delicate lemon yellow fringe number to attend the 50th anniversary of the moon landing event.