Real-Life Love
Catherine Zeta-Jones Reveals Secret to Michael Douglas Marriage After 25 Years
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas have more in common than being Oscar-winning actors.
As the couple approaches 25 years of marriage, Zeta-Jones offered rare insight into her relationship in an August 16 interview with The Times. The 55-year-old actress described everything she has in common with her husband, who’s 25 years her senior, and how they make things work.
Zeta-Jones revealed that beyond their two homes in the United States, the couple splits their time between their properties in Canada and Spain. She and Douglas enjoy the latter as an escape from the public eye. “Two celebrities together make ten,” she said. “It’s just the way it is. There’s two versions of the story, and there’s two make-believes.”
They’ve agreed on the best way to approach their situation. “We don’t listen to the crap that is written about us, that’s the main thing,” she continued. “And we respect our space, we’re independent spirits.”
The Wednesday actress pointed out that their likeness doesn’t stop there. “We are very similar; we were born on the same day, 25 years apart,” Zeta-Jones said. “We’re not afraid to be verbal, to express ourselves. I wear everything on my sleeve, and so does he, which is good.”
Zeta-Jones said that she still has fun with Douglas, who recently announced plans “to watch [his] wife work” after going into semi-retirement at 80 years old. “After all these years, our sense of humor is still pretty on, and I think that’s one of the keys,” she explained during the August 6 episode of Today. “We laugh together, we laugh at each other, and I think that is just great.”
Though the couple is sailing smoothly now, Zeta Jones didn’t immediately fall for the Basic Instinct actor — though he was charmed by her after watching her performance in 1998’s The Mask of Zorro. After arranging to have a drink with her, Douglas seemingly knew right away that Zeta-Jones was the one for him. “I am going to be the father of your children,” he told her on their first date. They went on to marry in 2000, having their first child that same year and another three years later.
Their relationship has had its downs as well as ups. Douglas and Zeta-Jones briefly split in 2013, though they found their way back to each other the next year. “It can’t be a one-way street,” Douglas said during a 2015 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. “But I’m crazy about her. And yeah, I think every couple has their difficult times. The only problem is, as you well know, we’re all in the public eye, and it tends to get a little more exposed than most. We’re back stronger than ever.”
Over 10 years later, Douglas’ sentiment appears to hold true. “It’s a joy. It is a milestone, especially in this industry,” Zeta-Jones said of her upcoming anniversary during her Today appearance. “Look, my son is 25 tomorrow — we can hardly believe that. And it’s been a really wonderful journey, and we’re enjoying this time.”
