Amal Clooney is beyond fascinating.
Barbara Walters named George Clooney's wife the most fascinating person of 2014 during her "Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People" special on ABC on Sunday. While Amal is often recognized for her legal work as a high-powered attorney, she made the list primarily for her personal life with one of Hollywood's most famous actors.
"How do I introduce her?" the host asked. "I guess the question is, 'What does it take to fascinate one of the most fascinating men in the world?' She is known primarily through her spouse, and while we know little about her, we know a great deal about him. And he has fascinated many women - especially me."
George and Amal met during a charity dinner in Italy. Walters called Amal's wedding to the Oscar-winning actor "one of the greatest achievements in human history," especially since he vowed never to get married again after divorcing from his first wife Talia Balsam.
Walters said Amal is now "in that stratosphere that we reserve for the Jackie Os, Princess Dis and Kate Middletons," and added that "everything she does, says or wears is officially fascinating."
Amal was born into a "prominent Lebanese family." She moved to London as a child and went to the University of Oxford before receiving a law degree at New York University. While in New York, she clerked for then-federal judge Sonia Sotomayor. She became a respected human rights lawyer with clients such as Kofi Annan, Julian Assange and Yulia Tymoshenko.
Walters concluded her segment by saying, "Amazingly, Amal has been the subject of very little snark or envy. Maybe because we, like George Clooney, find it impossible to resist perfection. Or maybe because it is heartening to think that no matter how long it may take, the perfect someone is out there for everyone. And that, for us, makes her the most fascinating person of 2014."
Others who made Walters' list included Taylor Swift, Michael Strahan, Scarlett Johansson, Neil Patrick Harris, Oprah Winfrey, Chelsea Handler, "Game of Thrones" author George R. R. Martin and billionaire David Koch.
