‘It wouldn’t be normal if there weren’t ups and downs’: Catherine Zeta-Jones insists ‘love and respect’ is the secret to her 20-year marriage to Michael Douglas
Catherine Zeta-Jones has revealed ‘love and respect’ has been the secret to her 20-year marriage to husband Michael Douglas.
The actress, 51, said she and Michael, 76, have never lost their sense of humour and thinks they likely spend more time together than most couples because they don’t have nine to five jobs.
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, she said: ‘First of all, we have a lot of fun together. My husband is 25 years older than me; that’s not a secret. With any relationship, it wouldn’t be normal if there weren’t any ups and downs.
Relationship: Catherine Zeta-Jones has revealed ‘love and respect’ has been the secret to her 20-year marriage to husband Michael Douglas
‘The constant is love and respect. We’ve never, ever lost our sense of humour, and we enjoy each other’s company. My husband and I spend a lot of time together because, unlike so many couples, we’ve never had a 9-to-5 job where it’s consistent.
‘We’re either on or we’re off. I’m really working 16 hours a day, or I’m not. He’s doing the same, or not. So we’ve had in our relationship huge amounts of time where we’ve been just us.’
Detailing their alone time, Catherine explained the couple raised their kids on the island of Bermuda for 12 years and added that they ‘respect each other’s space’.
Catherine and Michael tied the knot in November 2000 and are parents to son Dylan, 20, and daughter Carys, 17.
Couple: The actress, 51, said she and Michael, 76, spend more time together than most partners because they don’t have 9 to 5 jobs (pictured together in 1999)
Michael is also father to Cameron Douglas, 42, from his marriage to Diandra Lucker, who he was divorced from in 2000.
The pair celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary last year, sharing posts marking the occasion on Instagram.
Michael wrote: ‘Happy 20th Anniversary my darling!’ I love you always and forever @catherinezetajones ❤️ (Volume ⬆️) #20years.’
Catherine shared a video of pictures from their romance over the last two decades on Instagram, writing: ’20 years ago today Michael and I were married!!
‘What an amazing magical night that was! And 7304.85 days and nights on, I love you now as I did then. ( except for the point 85 bit) Thank you for the love and laughter. ❤️❤️❤️❤️’.
Catherine said: ‘My husband is 25 years older than me; that’s not a secret. With any relationship, it wouldn’t be normal if there weren’t any ups and downs’
It comes after Michael recently told how he has been suffering from short-term memory loss.
He said he used to attribute the condition to smoking marijuana but is currently ‘researching’ what else could be the problem as he now thinks something else is to blame and also noted lack of activity in the pandemic has been problematic.
Michael was candid about his health battle as he admitted that he has been inactive and thus less stimulated to help keep his mind healthy.
Speaking to AARP magazine, he said: ‘During this Covid-19 period, doing much more couch potato–ing, I have been shocked by the reduction of my stamina.
‘And my long-term memory is fine, but my short-term memory is not. I used to blame it on pot. But I’ve got some friends who’ve been smoking as long as I have and have fabulous memories, so I don’t think that’s the issue. I’m researching it.’
Icon: Michael recently revealed he is suffering from short-term memory loss saying in an interview his forgetfulness is ‘not fine’ anymore (pictured at the Golden Globes in 2021)