newsmakers

newsmakers

Chelsea Clinton gives birth to daughter

WASHINGTON

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton say they are “blessed, grateful, and so happy” to become grandparents.

Their daughter, Chelsea, gave birth Friday night to her first child, Charlotte.

Chelsea Clinton announced the news on Twitter and Facebook early Saturday, saying she and husband Marc Mezvinsky are “full of love, awe and gratitude as we celebrate the birth of our daughter, Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky.”

The former president and first lady said in the statement Saturday: “Chelsea is well and glowing. Marc is bursting with pride. Charlotte’s life is off to a good start.”

The Mezvinskys live in New York City, but the family did not say where the child was born or provide additional details on her birth.

The news comes as Hillary Clinton deliberates whether to run for the White House in 2016. She is the leading Democratic contender to succeed President Barack Obama, her 2008 campaign rival, and has said she expects to make a decision around the beginning of next year.

The baby has been eager- ly anticipated. She has called the prospect of becoming a grandmother her “most exciting title yet.” She even has picked out the first book she intends to read to her grandchild, the classic “Goodnight Moon.”

She has said she didn’t want to make any decisions about another campaign until the baby’s arrival, pointing to her interest in enjoying becoming a grandmother for the first time.

Clooney marries human-rights lawyer

VENICE, Italy

George Clooney married human-rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin on Saturday, the actor’s representative said, out of sight of pursuing paparazzi and adoring crowds.

A smiling Clooney traveled up the spectacular Grand Canal to his wedding standing coolly aboard a water-taxi, waving to hundreds of well-wishers on shore and a flotilla of photographers chasing a glimpse of his final moments of bachelorhood.

With the pink sunset casting a gleam on Venice’s most picturesque canal, Clooney rubbed his hands in anticipation and disappeared into the luxury Aman hotel’s tent-covered pier, where celebrity friends including Cindy Crawford and Matt Damon had passed moments earlier.

Clooney’s long-time representative, Stan Rosenfield, announced in one sentence some 21/2 hours later that the wedding had taken place. It’s expected to be the only communication on the much-anticipated marriage of the actor who long reigned as Hollywood’s most-eligible bachelor.

Associated Press