Elisabetta Canalis
An Italian television personality who transitioned from modeling and presenting into acting, gaining international attention through high-profile relationships.
Born 1978 (age 48)·Italian actress, singer and showgirl·Birthday: September 12·Generation X
Biography
Elisabetta Canalis first gained national attention as a 'velina' (showgirl) on the variety show 'Striscia la Notizia.' Her striking looks and on-screen charisma led to hosting duties and acting opportunities in Italian cinema and television. A romantic relationship with American actor George Clooney in 2009 propelled her into the international paparazzi glare, fundamentally altering her public profile. She has since continued acting, released a single, and participated in the Italian version of 'Dancing with the Stars.' Canalis represents a specific archetype of European celebrity, where media presence and personal life are often inextricably linked.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Elisabetta was born in 1978, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Elisabetta Was Born
The biggest hits of 1978
#1 Movie
Grease
Best Picture
The Deer Hunter
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Elisabetta's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1978Born
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1983Started school
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1991Became a teenager
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1994Could drive
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1996Could vote
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Turned 21
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2008Turned 30
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 40
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 48 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Gained national fame as a presenter and showgirl on the long-running Italian program 'Striscia la Notizia'.
- Hosted the 2008 Italian film award ceremony, the 'David di Donatello' awards.
- Placed as a finalist on the Italian edition of 'Dancing with the Stars' (Bailando con le Stelle) in 2020.
Did You Know?
She was a contestant on the American reality show 'The Bachelor' in 2002, but was eliminated early.
She published a novel titled 'L'abbiamo fatta grossa' in 2012.
She is a trained dental assistant.
She has a daughter, born in 2017, with her partner, musician Brian Perri.
“I started as a velina, but I built a career on my own terms.”
