Long before George Clooney married Amal Alamuddin, the Hollywood star had already walked down the aisle once. In 1989, he married actress Talia Balsam — and more than three decades later, his former wife is still working in the entertainment industry.
Clooney, who is now 65, has been married to Amal for 12 years. But his first marriage began on December 15, 1989, when he and Balsam exchanged vows. Their relationship lasted until 1993.
Photos from that period show just how different both stars looked at the time. Clooney wore his dark hair much longer, sometimes reaching his shoulders, a dramatic contrast to the short, polished hairstyle that later became part of his signature appearance.
Balsam also embraced the unmistakable style of the era. Her brown hair was voluminous and wavy, worn with a subtle side part and a distinctly late-1980s and early-1990s feel.
Years after their divorce, Clooney admitted that he had not been ready for marriage at the time. Looking back on the relationship, the actor said he did not believe he had given Balsam a fair chance.
Both eventually moved on. Balsam fell in love with actor John Slattery, and the couple married in 1998. They welcomed their son Harry the following year. Balsam has also continued acting, with credits including “Mad Men,” where she appeared alongside her husband, as well as more recent projects such as “Wilderness” and “Omaha.”
View this post on Instagram
Now 67, Balsam remains active professionally and occasionally shares glimpses of her life on social media. Decades after her marriage to one of Hollywood’s biggest stars ended, she has built a lasting career and family life of her own.
