Hollywood romances are a dime a dozen, but one relationship that has withstood the pressures of fame is that of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas.
They met in August 1998 at the Deauville American Film Festival when friend Danny DeVito introduced the pair. In little time after this, Catherine and Michael began dating.
In Michael’s new memoir, One Helluva Ride, he confessed to ending relationships with five women when his romance with Catherine became official. “From the moment I met Catherine and we formed a family… I was a new man,” he wrote, per The Los Angeles Times.
The marriage proposal came soon after on December 31, 1999.
If you’re a dedicated fan of weddings or Bride Wars, you’ll love this next fact: Catherine and Michael said ‘I do’ at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, on November 18, 2000. Celebrations lasted all night. Catherine recalled the moment they realised the afterparty went well into the early hours of the morning on The Drew Barrymore Show.
“I needed to go to the bathroom. I come back, everyone’s just talking around the piano — ‘Michael. Where’s the pianist? The pianist is gone,’” the Wednesday actress said.
When Michael sought out answers, the hotel manager simply responded: “It’s 6:30 in the morning, Mr. Douglas. The pianist has gone home.”
At the time of their nuptials, Catherine was three months post-partum having given birth to their first child, a son named Dylan Michael Douglas on August 8, 2000. Michael was 55 years old at the time of Dylan’s birth.
While Dylan is Catherine’s first child, he isn’t Michael’s. The Basic Instinct actor welcomed Cameron Douglas in 1978 with his ex-wife Diandra Luker. Michael and Diandra’s divorce was finalised in 2000.
In April 2003, Catherine and Michael welcomed their daughter Carys Zeta Douglas. She has become accustomed to the public eye having attended many black-tie events with her parents including the Cannes Film Festival, and various Fashion Week events across the globe.
“My parents do a really good job of reality-checking me and being like, ‘Look around you. The life you have is extraordinary,’” Carys confessed in a 2018 interview with Town & Country.
Catherine made headlines in September 2026 when she declared the term ‘nepo baby’ was a “horrific” way to describe children of celebrities.
“It’s hard for them to forge a way forward on their own. This horrific phrase ‘nepo baby’ is horrible because these kids didn’t ask to be born into this, they’re finding their own way in life,” the Welsh actress told The Sunday Times.
Later, she joked that she is married to the “ultimate nepo baby” on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. Michael is the son of late-screen icon Kirk Douglas who was best known for Spartacus, Ulysses, and The Vikings.
Despite their picture-perfect persona, Catherine and Michael’s marriage hit a speed bump in 2013. At the time, Catherine confirmed they were “taking some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage.”
More than a decade since the brief split, Michael was asked by The Sunday Times how he “won her back.”
“What, I won her back? It was mutual,” he said. “You know, we had our problems but I love her dearly and, 25 years, you know… I mean, I don’t know about your marital status, but marriage is a lot of work, you know. And so, you know, we’re good. We’re in good shape.”
Catherine and Michael’s sweetest moments:
Wedding throwback picture
In honour of their wedding anniversary, Michael took to Instagram and captioned this sweet throwback picture with, “24 years ago my darling; wow was I a lucky guy! Happy Anniversary Catherine!”
Instagram birthday photo
As mentioned, Catherine and Michael have the same birth date. For their birthday in 2024, the Chicago star wrote on Instagram, “Happy Birthday to Michael and to me!! This was us on our birthday 25 years ago! I love you with all my heart.”
2023 Cannes Film Festival
The couple attended the 2023 Cannes Film Festival with their daughter Carys.
76th Annual Golden Globe Awards
At the 2019 Golden Globe Awards, Michael sweetly kissed Catherine’s hand.
Kiss at the Hollywood Walk of Fame
When Michael was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018, he and Catherine shared a passionate kiss during the ceremony.
2013 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Catherine and Michael shared a look of love at the 2013 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
2001 Laureus World Sports Awards
At the 2001 Laureus World Sports Awards, the couple gave serious old Hollywood couple vibes as they walked the red carpet.
Joint birthday in 1999
In 1999, Catherine and Michael were all smiles as they left their joint birthday party.
Early days in the romance
The couple attended a dinner together one month after they first met in 1998.
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