Amal Clooney Praises Husband George at His Lifetime Achievement Gala

Actor George Clooney and his wife Amal pose at the 46th AFI Life Achievement Award in Los Angeles, California, US, June 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Actor George Clooney and his wife Amal pose at the 46th AFI Life Achievement Award in Los Angeles, California, US, June 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
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Amal Clooney Praises Husband George at His Lifetime Achievement Gala

Actor George Clooney and his wife Amal pose at the 46th AFI Life Achievement Award in Los Angeles, California, US, June 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Actor George Clooney and his wife Amal pose at the 46th AFI Life Achievement Award in Los Angeles, California, US, June 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Amal Clooney on Thursday paid unprecedented public tribute to her movie star husband George Clooney, calling him a gentleman, an amazing husband and father and the love of her life.

The human rights lawyer was addressing a star-studded lifetime achievement award ceremony in Hollywood for “Ocean’s Eleven” star Clooney.

But she said it was easier for her “to address a court on behalf of detainees than to speak publicly, as I am doing for the first time tonight, about my husband.”

“I met George when I was 35 and starting to become quite resigned to the idea that I would be a spinster. Then we met,” Amal Clooney told the audience, packed with friends and A list stars like Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Aniston, model Cindy Crawford and Diane Keaton.

“Five years later, he is the person who has my complete admiration and also the person whose smile makes me melt every time,” she added.

Despite being one of the most celebrated couples in Hollywood after their 2014 marriage and the birth of twins a year ago, Amal and George Clooney rarely speak of their private life.

On Thursday, Clooney was the center of attention as an American Film Institute lifetime honoree. Friends ranging from former U.S. President Barack Obama to Julia Roberts and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel spoke of his wit, charm, generosity and work for causes including refugees in the Darfur region of Sudan and victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

“He always looks better than me, does the whole gray hair thing better than me, may be more debonair than me,” joked Obama, appearing by video. “He is a good man, a good friend, a good citizen, and an outstanding maker of films.”

Clooney, 57, a producer, director, actor and double Oscar winner, made his name on the 1990s medical TV series “ER,” before starring in movies ranging from comedies to thrillers and serious political dramas including “Up in the Air,” “Syriana” and “Three Kings.”

Julianna Margulies, his love interest on “ER,” called him “the most genuine, most stellar human being and friend.”

Clooney said that before meeting Amal he didn’t believe he could “have it all.”

“I love this industry,” he said, before signing off using the title of his 2005 journalism movie. “Good night, and good luck.”



Japanese Woman who Was World's Oldest Person at 116 Has Died

(FILES) This handout file photo taken on May 23, 2024 and provided to AFP on August 22, 2024 by the Ashiya City government shows Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka as she celebrates her 116th birthday, in the city of Ashiya, Hyogo prefecture. (Photo by Handout / Courtesy of Ashiya City / AFP)
(FILES) This handout file photo taken on May 23, 2024 and provided to AFP on August 22, 2024 by the Ashiya City government shows Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka as she celebrates her 116th birthday, in the city of Ashiya, Hyogo prefecture. (Photo by Handout / Courtesy of Ashiya City / AFP)
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Japanese Woman who Was World's Oldest Person at 116 Has Died

(FILES) This handout file photo taken on May 23, 2024 and provided to AFP on August 22, 2024 by the Ashiya City government shows Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka as she celebrates her 116th birthday, in the city of Ashiya, Hyogo prefecture. (Photo by Handout / Courtesy of Ashiya City / AFP)
(FILES) This handout file photo taken on May 23, 2024 and provided to AFP on August 22, 2024 by the Ashiya City government shows Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka as she celebrates her 116th birthday, in the city of Ashiya, Hyogo prefecture. (Photo by Handout / Courtesy of Ashiya City / AFP)

Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman who was the world’s oldest person according to Guinness World Records, has died, an Ashiya city official said Saturday. She was 116.
Yoshitsugu Nagata, an official in charge of elderly policies, said Itooka died on Dec. 29 at a care home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, central Japan.
Itooka, who loved bananas and a yogurt-flavored Japanese drink called Calpis, was born on May 23, 1908. She became the oldest person last year following the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas, according to the Gerontology Research Group.
When she was told she was at the top of the World Supercentenarian Rankings List, she simply replied, “Thank you.”
When Itooka celebrated her birthday last year, she received flowers, a cake and a card from the mayor, The Associated Press reported.
Born in Osaka, Itooka was a volleyball player in high school, and long had a reputation for a sprightly spirit, Nagata said. She climbed the 3,067-meter (10,062-foot) Mount Ontake twice.
She married at 20, and had two daughters and two sons, according to Guinness.
Itooka managed the office of her husband’s textile factory during World War II. She lived alone in Nara after her husband died in 1979.
She is survived by one son and one daughter, and five grandchildren. A funeral service was held with family and friends, according to Nagata.
According to the Gerontology Research Group, the world's oldest person is now 116-year-old Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was born 16 days after Itooka.