Michael Douglas has spoken about his brief split from wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, with the actor, 82, rejecting the idea that he had to “win her back”.
The two-time Oscar winner married the Welsh actor, who is 25 years younger than him and his second wife, in 2000 after a year of dating. They welcomed son Dylan that same year and daughter Carys three years after.
In August 2013, Zeta-Jones confirmed that the couple were “taking some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage”. It came just months after Douglas controversially blamed him developing cancer of the tongue on oral sex, with his publicist later retracting the remarks and saying that he was not referring to his cancer.
The pair reportedly reconciled in November that year and in 2015, Douglas said that he “regretted any embarrassment” that the comments caused Zeta-Jones.
When asked in an interview with The Sunday Times how he “won her back” after the brief split, Douglas seemed to take exception to the suggestion that he had to make amends.
“What, I won her back? It was mutual,” he told the publication. “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. It’s all I can say.”
The actor, who is best known for starring in Fatal Attraction (1987), Romancing the Stone (1984) and Behind the Candelabra (2013), reflects on his life in his forthcoming autobiography, One Helluva Ride. Writing about the brief break in his marriage to Zeta-Jones, Douglas said: “I never gave up hope that we would reconcile.”
According to Douglas, Zeta-Jones is yet to read the book – which may be for the best considering that he details the numerous affairs he had while married to his first wife, Diandra Luker.
It was recently revealed that Douglas confirms in the book that he fell in love with Romancing the Stone co-star Kathleen Turner while filming the 1984 film in Mexico.
“Kathleen was smart, funny, and sexy with a deep, sultry voice that became her signature,” he wrote, according to an excerpt of the memoir obtained by People. “I instantly liked her, and we were immediately attracted to each other.”
He added that his marriage to Luker, who he married in 1977, was “in a bad place” at the time and that they were both having “extramarital affairs”. He added: “I left for Mexico still technically married, but separated.” He ended the affair after Luke became suspicious and returned to his wife for the sake of their son, Cameron.
The couple ultimately divorced in 2000, with Douglas marrying Zeta-Jones that same year.
One Helluva Ride is released on Tuesday (6 October).
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