Michael Douglas is a renowned actor and producer known for iconic roles in films like “Wall Street,” “Fatal Attraction,” and “Basic Instinct.” He won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Gordon Gekko in “Wall Street” and has also produced films like “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

Michael met his second wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, through his successful career in Hollywood. During an interview, he once reflected on their first meeting, sharing that they were introduced at the Deauville Film Festival in 1998.

“At our first meeting I told Catherine that I was going to be the father of her children,” he revealed. Asked if it was a pickup line or whether he knew that for sure, Douglas answered, “At that point, I didn’t know. We had cocktails that evening and obviously, it took me a few drinks to tell her that.

When asked how Catherine reacted, the film star shared she told him that she had heard a lot about him. Although he made a bold statement that evening, it ultimately turned out to be prophetic.

The couple married in November 2000 and has since welcomed two children together, Dylan and Carys Douglas. In an April 2024 interview, the family man opened up about the experience of parenting in his 70s.

He shared that it has made him a better father, despite sometimes being mistaken for his children’s grandfather. Reflecting on a moment at his children’s university, the 79-year-old actor humorously recalled, “This is not grandfather’s day, this is parents’ day. I say, ‘I am a parent!’ That was a rough one.”

Michael also acknowledged that being part of a second family with Catherine has helped him grow as a father, admitting he faced struggles during his first marriage. Now raising Dylan, 23, and Carys, 20, from his marriage to Catherine, he described the journey as a “good ride.”

Their relationship, marked by mutual admiration and respect, has been one of Hollywood’s enduring love stories. Even their age gap hasn’t been a factor as the “Zorro” actress is over two decades younger than him.

When asked whether he has concerns about his daughter Carys potentially marrying an older man like her mother did, Michael admitted that, based on her experiences so far, it’s a possibility. “Her father is an older guy, so that could very well be. People follow the patterns, so she might be attracted to older guys. Not the worst thing that can happen, by the way,” said the filmmaker.

Michael noted that his wife is 25 years younger than him and expressed that he’s a much better husband now than he would have been 25 years earlier. Despite having a harmonious marriage, Michael, who was previously diagnosed with throat cancer, and Catherine, who has bipolar II disorder, have faced challenging times together.

In August 2013, insiders reported that the couple had separated, as the stress from each of their diagnoses had put a strain on their 13-year marriage. Catherine’s publicist at the time revealed that the couple had decided to separate in order to “evaluate and work on their marriage.”

Their separation was brief, as the couple soon called off their divorce and reunited. After their reconciliation, reports revealed that Catherine was “on top of the world.” Friends shared that, after living apart, the pair decided to work on their marriage, with Michael moving back into their New York home. Michael has been married to Catherine for 25 years.

His first marriage to film producer Diandra Luker lasted a little over two decades. AmoMama featured side-by-side photos of him with both of his wives, sparking comparisons among readers about the appearances of his first wife and his current spouse.

One person commented, “The first wife is prettier than Catherine Zeta-Jones.” Another noted, “The first wife.” Meanwhile, others praised both women for their stunning appearances.

“Both are very beautiful but I think his 1st wife was more naturally attractive!” wrote one reader. While another observed, “1st wife is very beautiful and natural, the second wife is beautiful but enchanted make-up wise…”

Although Catherine is more than 20 years younger than Michael, his first wife, Diandra, is 14 years his junior. Diandra and Michael once had a whirlwind romance that seemed like a fairy tale.

Then a 19-year-old student at Georgetown, she met the 32-year-old actor, and he proposed after just two weeks. They married six weeks later, and their son Cameron Douglas was born the following year.

However, Diandra struggled to adjust to the Hollywood lifestyle, having grown up in a small town in Spain before attending Swiss and American boarding schools. “I felt fairly lost in that world—the world of hype and endless make-believe,” she shared in a March 2011 interview.

Despite her success in society, philanthropy, and documentary production, their marriage eventually faltered. Reflecting on their 18-year relationship, which included Michael’s 1992 rehab stay, Diandra stated, “For years, I’ve never said a word to anyone.”

Amidst their marriage going downhill, their son, Cameron, now 45, faced his own struggles, including a severe heroin addiction. He later became involved in dealing methamphetamine, a charge to which he ultimately pled guilty.

Michael has since openly expressed regret for missing out on his eldest son Cameron’s childhood, attributing it to being “overloaded” by his Hollywood career.

In an April 2024 interview, the father of three admitted that his intense work schedule with his ex-wife Diandra led him to prioritize work and other responsibilities over family. He even wrote to a judge during one of Cameron’s legal cases, taking responsibility as “a bad father.”

Reflecting on that time, he said, “Cameron suffered a lot from that time… I was just overwhelmed and overloaded by my work. And family was really taking third place after work, our country and then the family, as opposed to when Catherine and I got together.”

Michael Douglas and the mother of his son divorced in June 2000 following 23 years of marriage. Years later, Diandra reflected on their time together. The mom of one reflected on her relationship with Michael, stating, “I loved Michael very much when I married him,” and expressing that she believes love never truly disappears.

Diandra and the two-time Oscar winner became embroiled in a legal dispute over whether she was entitled to part of his earnings from “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” as the original was made during their marriage.

Their divorce led to one of Hollywood’s largest settlements, reportedly $45 million, plus their Santa Barbara estate. Adding to that was Michael’s throat cancer diagnosis, which further fueled media attention. Diandra defended her actions, insisting she was unaware of his illness when she filed her claim and expressed internal conflict over pursuing the matter.

Despite their messy divorce and legal battle, Diandra shared that she harbors no ill feelings toward Michael’s new family with Catherine Zeta-Jones. “I’m really happy that he is madly in love and has two lovely children,” she said in an interview.