Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones: The story of their unusual love story amid new break-up rumours

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Micheal Douglas’ 23 year marriage is as close to a Hollywood fairy tale as any.Many celebrity marriages do not reach the two decade mark, and despite their brief split in 2013 and subsequent reconciliation, they have remained a strong couple throughout the years.

How did Catherine Zeta-Jones and Micheal Douglas meet?

According to People Magazine, Catherine and Micheal met at the 1996 Deauville Film Festival in France. In an appearance on the Johnathan Ross Show Douglas revealed that he had seen her as Elena Montero in Zorro and asked his publicist to arrange a meeting to which she agreed. But this initial meeting didn’t go as well as it could have. He said that they met at the bar and that he was a total gentleman. But he recalls telling her:

You know, I'm going to be the father of your children.

She responded by 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.

Micheal Douglas thought he ruined his chances, but he knew that she was traveling to a small Scottish island to Film Entrapment so he had roses waiting for her when she arrived.

Catherine, years later would acknowledge the comment Micheal made during a red carpet saying: You know what the worst thing is? – He was right!

The couple would go on to be engaged in 1999 after Douglas proposed on New Year’s eve in Aspen and in 2000 they were expecting their first child. The baby was born in August of that year and they would go on to get married in November.

In 2010, Micheal Douglas was diagnosed with throat cancer. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment and was cancer free by January of 2011.

Two years later, the couple would announce a split which lasted until 2014. This was addressed by Douglas in an Ellen appearance in which he stated:

It can't be a one-way street, but 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.

New break up rumours

In November of last year the couple celebrated 23 years of marriage. Around that time, the couple listed their $12 million Bermuda Vacation home. This sparked new rumours of a split with an insider speaking to RadarOnline and alluding that:

The marriage is over, but they don’t want to do the whole divorce and separation thing. So, they have this arrangement that’s working for them because nobody knows about it. They are definitely living separate lives.

However, during the holidays, photographs of the couple and their family were posted on Instagram showing them happily spending quality time together. On New Years' eve, Micheal Douglas posted a video of the couple on a trip to India in which he kisses his wife and winks at the camera, elegantly dispelling rumours of any trouble.

Read more:

⋙ 20 celebrity couples who have been together after all these years

⋙ This couple made an unusual decision after using a surrogate mother to have a baby

Sources:

People: Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones' Relationship Timeline

Sheknows: Insiders Allege Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta-Jones’ Real Estate Move Has Everything to Do With Their Marriage

RadarOnline: 'Living Separate Lives:' Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones Off-Loading Bermuda Home as Rumors Swirl About Marriage Issues