MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Celebrity

George Clooney Says Amal Changed ‘Everything’ About His Views On Marriage And Kids

"I’d never been in the position where someone else’s life was infinitely more important to me than my own" - by Diandra Malivindi
  • 18 Nov 2020
George Clooney Says Amal Changed ‘Everything’ About His Views On Marriage And Kids

For the better part of the late '90s and '00s, George Clooney was considered to be one of Hollywood's most notorious bachelors—that was until Amal Alamuddin came along.

And while we all dream of a relationship as supportive and committed as theirs, it seems like George didn't always feel the same way about his future.

In a new interview for GQ's Icon of the Year issue, George spoke out about how meeting and falling in love with Amal turned his plans—or lack thereof—completely on its head.

"I was like, 'I'm never getting married. I'm not gonna have kids,'" he started. "I'm gonna work, I've got great friends, my life is full, I'm doing well," he said of his mindset at the time. "And I didn't know how un-full it was until I met Amal. And then everything changed."

Previously married to actress Talia Balsam from 1989 to 1993, George opened up about how his relationship with Amal, an accomplished international human-rights barrister, changed “everything” and made him finally settle down and start a family.

George Clooney and Talia Balsam

“I was like, ‘Oh, actually, this has been a huge empty space,’” he said. “I’d never been in the position where someone else’s life was infinitely more important to me than my own. You know? And then tack on two more individuals, who are small and have to be fed.”

As we know, George and Amal welcomed their twins, Alexander and Ella (who can also "speak fluent Italian"), back in 2017.

“For 36 years, I was the guy that if some kid popped up and started crying, I’d be like, ‘Are you f**king kidding me?’” George joked. “And now suddenly I’m the guy with the kid, you know?”

In the past, Amal has also opened up about how meeting George changed her life for the best. In an interview from 2018, Amal admitted:

“It felt like the most natural thing in the world,” she said of falling in love with George. “Before that experience, I always hoped there could be love that was overwhelming and didn’t require any weighing or decision-making.”

Continuing, she revealed that to her, love is “the one thing in life that I think is the biggest determinant of happiness, and it’s the thing you have the least control over."

"Are you going to meet this person? I was 35 when I met him. It wasn’t obvious that it was going to happen for me. And I wasn’t willing or excited about the idea of getting married or having a family in the absence of that.”

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Kristen Stewart Continues To Sartorially Reference Princess Diana In Chanel At Cannes

Kristen Stewart Continues To Sartorially Reference Princess Diana In Chanel At Cannes

All The Best Celebrity Style From The Red Carpet At The 2022 Cannes Film Festival

All The Best Celebrity Style From The Red Carpet At The 2022 Cannes Film Festival

Albanese Promised To Bring The Murugappan Family #HomeToBilo. What Happens Now?

Albanese Promised To Bring The Murugappan Family #HomeToBilo. What Happens Now?

5 Silky Serum Foundations For Polished But Natural Coverage

5 Silky Serum Foundations For Polished But Natural Coverage

{headline}

{headline}

A Two-Part Documentary On The Trial Between Johnny Depp & Amber Heard Is Coming

A Two-Part Documentary On The Trial Between Johnny Depp & Amber Heard Is Coming

12 Times Celebrity Children Wore Looks Inspired By Their Mothers' Iconic Outfits

12 Times Celebrity Children Wore Looks Inspired By Their Mothers' Iconic Outfits

At Gucci’s Divine Comedy, Harlequins And Witches Dance Under The Full Moon

At Gucci’s Divine Comedy, Harlequins And Witches Dance Under The Full Moon

{headline}

{headline}

NYC Cool Girl & 90s Style Muse, Chloë Sevigny, Ties The Knot (Again)

NYC Cool Girl & 90s Style Muse, Chloë Sevigny, Ties The Knot (Again)

Bulgari Brings Over 150 Pieces Of High Jewellery And High-End Watches To Australia

Bulgari Brings Over 150 Pieces Of High Jewellery And High-End Watches To Australia

In San Diego, Louis Vuitton Sets Its Sights On A Marvelous Future

In San Diego, Louis Vuitton Sets Its Sights On A Marvelous Future

Store Your Most Cherished Memories In One Of These Stylish Wedding Albums

Store Your Most Cherished Memories In One Of These Stylish Wedding Albums

Jason Momoa Is Romantically Linked To Eiza Gonzalez Following Split From Lisa Bonet

Jason Momoa Is Romantically Linked To Eiza Gonzalez Following Split From Lisa Bonet

The 5 Trends You Need To Know About From Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2022

The 5 Trends You Need To Know About From Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2022

5 Water-Resistant Trench Coats To Keep You Chic, Cosy & Dry On Rainy Winter Days

5 Water-Resistant Trench Coats To Keep You Chic, Cosy & Dry On Rainy Winter Days

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
MarieClaire Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Elle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • beautyheaven
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Marie Claire