After 23 years of marriage, Catherine Zeta-Jones and husband Michael Douglas still seem to have that spark that lights up their love for one another.
In late November, the couple took to Instagram and shared sweet posts, celebrating each other with the wish, “may our dance never end.”
Keep reading to learn more about this inspiring couple!
When Michael Douglas, 79, saw Catherine Zeta-Jones as Elena Montero in 1998’s The Mask of Zorro, he immediately knew that she was the one.
That same year, the Oscar-winning stars were both at the Deauville Film Festival, Zeta-Jones promoting the film that also stars Antonio Banderas, and Douglas there for his movie, A Perfect Murder.
Acting on his feelings, Douglas had his publicist arrange a date.
But it didn’t go in the direction he hoped.
“I met her in the bar and was a total gentleman,” the star of Fatal Attraction shared with People. He then explains that he invited her back to his room for a nightcap.
When the now 54-year-old star of Oceans Twelve met him later that night, he blew it after telling her, “You know, I’m going to be the father of your children.”
Douglas recalls her saying, “You know I’ve heard a lot about you, and I’ve seen a lot about you, and I think it’s time that I say goodnight.”
Meanwhile, Zeta-Jones – whose first big film was the Mask of Zorro – believed the meeting with her future husband was work-related.
“I was going to a film festival. I thought Michael Douglas wanted to meet me for work because I knew he was a producer as well as an actor. I genuinely thought that because I was in work mode and I was going to a film festival, and that’s where film deals are made,” said Zeta-Jones, explaining her side of the same story.
“So I never thought, ‘Oh my God, he wants to date me.’ And within hours of meeting me, he told me he wanted to father my children. So I presumed this was not for a job.”
But he wasn’t willing to give up. Knowing the actor would soon be filming Entrapment in Scotland, he had roses delivered, which were waiting for her arrival in her room.
In 2019, when Zeta-Jones was speaking with Access, she joked, “You know what the worst thing is? He was right.”
The dark-haired beauty still has the card that was attached to those roses, that were sent by her husband of 23 years, who’s also the father of their two children Dylan, born in 2000, and Carys, born in 2003.
The break
The Hollywood power couple, who share the same birthday but 25 years apart, has had a few struggles along the way.
In 2013, their relationship was tested with a brief separation, which according to a source, was due to stress. “They’re taking a break,” the anonymous source told People.
In 2010, Douglas was diagnosed with throat cancer. Following treatment, he announced the next year that he was in remission. At the same time, Zeta-Jones was struggling with her mental health and diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
After one year apart, the pair reconciled.
Speaking on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2015, the star of Basic Instincts shared with the host, “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.”
Anniversary wishes
Recently the beautiful couple, now grandparents of two children, expressed their deep love to one another on their 23rd wedding anniversary.
Alongside a gallery of photos through the years, which starts with an image from their wedding where they are seen dancing, Zeta-Jones writes, “Today we celebrate 23 years of marriage. Darling Michael, your Nobel Peace Prize awaits, I love you… from your darling wife, a gold star Medal of Honor recipient.”
Douglas also shared an adorable post on his Instagram. “Happy 23 and Me, my darling @catherinezetajones. Can’t wait for 24! Happy Anniversary.”
His wife was the first to comment with her heart-melting message that reads, “Love you sweetheart, may our dance never end.”
Among the many wishes was one from Martha Stewart, who was one of several celebrity guests at their November 18, 2000, wedding. “You had a most beautiful wedding,” she writes of the event held at New York’s Plaza Hotel.
Adoring fans also jumped in with wishes, praising the beautiful couple for their love.
“I always admired you both, which inspired my love for all things classic…Happy Wedding Anniversary, My all-time favourite couple,” writes on netizen.
A second shares, “The most charming and perfect couple!!! Congratulations!!” And a third adds, “Remarkable! You’ve got to be one of the best couples in Hollywood for sure I admire both of your work! Thank you for so many years of fantastic entertainment.”
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