Michael Douglas Opens Up About Marriage, Brief Split From Catherine Zeta-Jones
The veteran actor described his long-term marriage as 'hard work' and a 'mutual' effort to overcome challenges.
Michael Douglas has shared insights into his 26-year marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones, characterizing their relationship as requiring significant effort. Speaking in a new interview promoting his memoir, "One Helluva Ride," Douglas reflected on a temporary separation the couple experienced in 2013.
When asked how he "won back" his wife after their split, Douglas, 82, responded, "What, I won her back? It was a mutual." He added, "Marriage is a lot of work, you know. And so, you know, we're good. We're in good shape. It's all I can say."
The couple, who met in 1998 and married in 2000, faced personal health challenges around the time of their 2013 separation. Zeta-Jones revealed in 2011 that she was battling depression and had been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder, seeking treatment that year. Douglas had received a cancer diagnosis in 2010. Zeta-Jones returned to a mental health facility in 2013 for continued treatment for bipolar disorder.
During this period, Douglas made controversial remarks in a 2013 interview with The Guardian, suggesting that his cancer could be caused by HPV contracted through oral sex. He later apologized for any embarrassment this caused Zeta-Jones, stating in a 2015 interview that it was "one of those things." He referred to their brief separation as "a little bump in the road."
Douglas emphasized that overcoming marital difficulties requires commitment from both partners. "If both people want to work something out and make it better, you can do it. You can’t do it if it’s just one person," he said.
Zeta-Jones has also spoken about the dynamics of their marriage, noting in a September interview with The Sunday Times that the key to their relationship is "working." She explained that Douglas's ability to travel and visit her, rather than a routine of daily domesticity, has contributed to their marital success.
The couple share two children: Dylan, 26, and Carys, 23. Douglas, who has had a nearly 60-year acting career, stated in 2022 that he would only return to screen for "special" projects. He was last seen in the Apple TV+ miniseries "Franklin." Zeta-Jones has maintained a consistent acting career, recently starring as Morticia in the Netflix series "Wednesday" and currently appearing in the spy thriller "Kill Jackie."