George Clooney has finally managed to shock the world when he proposed to his British lawyer Girlfriend Amal Alamuddin after decades of bachelorhood. But according to a source close to the Oceans 13 star’s engagement doesn’t shock those who know the couple.
“It’s actually not that surprising. He likes a woman with brains and class,” the source says. “She’s the full package. His first wife Talia came from a good family and was very smart herself. He’s happy and found his ideal match. He didn’t settle, so good for him.”
Clooney was first married to actress Talia Balsam in 1989 before divorcing in 1993. (Balsam is now married to John Slattery, her onscreen ex-husband on Mad Men.) After the divorce, he went on to become a globally sought after ladies man, dating British model Lisa Snowdon, Italian actress Elisabetta Canalis, and model Stacy Keibler.
Over the years the Oscar winner has been questioned about his thoughts on marriage and commitment, and his answers have always aired in support of a marriage-free life.
“I haven’t had aspirations in that way, ever,” he told Esquire of marriage in December 2013. “I was married in 1989. I wasn’t very good at it.”
Though he wasn’t ready to walk down the aisle at the time, Clooney didn’t always seem opposed to the concept of marriage.
“I don’t talk about it because I don’t think about it,” he told Esquire in January 2012. “I don’t ever question other peoples’ versions of how they live their lives or what they do.