Clooney’s $1 billion shot on Casamigos

HE BUILT a successful career on being effortlessly smooth and stylish. So, when it came to building a tequila brand, he clearly saw no reason to change a winning formula.

Now George Clooney is set to take home a share of $1 billion (R13bn) after agreeing to sell his award-winning Casamigos.

It was announced this week that British drinks giant Diageo had snapped up the brand, which the Hollywood actor established only four years ago with friends Rande Gerber – the husband of supermodel Cindy Crawford – and real estate developer Mike Meldman.

“We’re not going anywhere. We’ll still be very much a part of Casamigos. Starting with a shot tonight. Maybe two,” Clooney said yesterday. Although whether wife Amal, 39, agrees with his plans for the evening is another matter, having given birth to twins Ella and Alexander in London earlier this month.

The idea for Casamigos, which means house of friends, came when Clooney, now 56, and Gerber, 55, were building holiday homes in Caba San Lucas, Mexico.

The pair, who have known each other for more than 20 years, came up with the idea of making their own brand, so found a distiller who could make a drink to their tastes, “so you wouldn’t have to cover up the taste with the lime and the salt”, said Gerber. – The Daily Mail

George Clooney