Catherine Zeta-Jones Husband Michael Douglas: Marriage, Children, Career and Family Life
Catherine Zeta-Jones is married to Michael Douglas, the celebrated American actor and producer whose career has spanned more than five decades. The couple has been together since the late 1990s and married on November 18, 2000.
Their relationship has remained one of the most recognizable Hollywood marriages, with both stars continuing to pursue their own careers while raising their family. They share two children, Dylan and Carys, and Zeta-Jones is also stepmother to Michael’s eldest son, Cameron Douglas.
From their first meeting in France to their long marriage and family life, their story has included plenty of memorable moments.
Who Is Michael Douglas?
Michael Douglas is an Academy Award-winning actor and producer who comes from one of Hollywood’s most famous acting families.
He is the son of legendary actor Kirk Douglas and began establishing his own career in the entertainment industry before becoming a major Hollywood star.
Douglas is known for films such as Wall Street, Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct and The American President. He has also taken on major television roles later in his career.
His work has earned him two Academy Awards, one as a producer of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and another for his performance in Wall Street.
How Did They Meet?
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas first met in 1998.
The pair were introduced by actor Danny DeVito at the Deauville Film Festival in France. At the time, both already had successful careers, although Zeta-Jones was still in the earlier stages of becoming a major international film star.
Their meeting eventually developed into a romantic relationship.
The couple’s age difference attracted attention from the beginning. Douglas was born in 1944, while Zeta-Jones was born in 1969, giving them a 25-year age gap.
Despite the attention surrounding their relationship, they continued moving forward together.
Their Wedding
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones married on November 18, 2000, in New York City.
Their wedding took place at the famous Plaza Hotel and was a lavish celebration attended by numerous high-profile guests.
The ceremony reportedly cost around $1.5 million, reflecting the couple’s status in the entertainment world.
Their wedding also came shortly after the birth of their first child, Dylan, making 2000 an especially important year for the couple.
Their Two Children
Douglas and Zeta-Jones have two children together.
Their son, Dylan, was born in August 2000. Their daughter, Carys, was born in April 2003.
Both children grew up with parents who had major careers in film and television, but Michael and Catherine have generally allowed them to find their own paths.
Zeta-Jones is also a stepmother to Cameron Douglas, Michael’s eldest son from his previous marriage to Diandra Luker.
As a result, family life for the couple has included both their two children together and Michael’s older son.
Their Shared Birthday
One of the most unusual details about the couple is that they were born on exactly the same day.
Both Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas celebrate their birthdays on September 25.
Douglas was born in 1944, while Zeta-Jones was born in 1969.
That means the couple shares a birthday despite being 25 years apart in age. Their joint birthday has become one of the most recognizable details associated with their relationship.
Catherine Zeta-Jones’s Career
Zeta-Jones developed an impressive career of her own long before and after marrying Douglas.
The Welsh actress gained international attention through movies such as The Mask of Zorro and Traffic. She later delivered her Oscar-winning performance as Velma Kelly in the 2002 musical film Chicago.
Her performance demonstrated her abilities as an actress, singer and dancer and earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
She has continued working in both film and television. One of her more recent high-profile roles has been Morticia Addams in Netflix’s Wednesday, introducing her to a new generation of viewers.
Their Life Away From Los Angeles
For many years, Los Angeles was closely associated with the couple’s professional lives.
As their children grew older and eventually moved into adulthood, however, Michael and Catherine changed the way they approached family life.
They have made New York their primary home while also spending time in places including Bermuda and Europe.
The change has allowed the couple to maintain their connection to entertainment while enjoying a lifestyle that is somewhat removed from the constant pace of Hollywood.
How They Have Maintained Their Marriage
After more than two decades together, the couple has occasionally discussed the importance of giving each other room to maintain their individual careers.
Both Michael and Catherine have demanding professional schedules, and their projects do not always require them to work together.
Zeta-Jones has explained that allowing each other personal and professional space has been helpful to their relationship. Instead of being together for every project, they can pursue separate interests while maintaining their family connection.
That approach has become an important part of how they describe their long marriage.
Celebrating More Than 25 Years Together
In September 2026, Douglas and Zeta-Jones celebrated their shared birthday once again, with Douglas turning 82 and Zeta-Jones turning 57.
Their joint celebration marked another milestone for a couple whose relationship began in France nearly three decades earlier.
Through changes in their careers, raising children and moving away from their former Los Angeles lifestyle, they have continued to maintain a public relationship while keeping many aspects of their family life private.
A Hollywood Marriage That Endured
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas began their relationship at a film festival in France in 1998 and married two years later.
Since then, they have welcomed two children, supported each other’s careers and navigated life under constant public attention.
Zeta-Jones has built an acclaimed career that includes an Academy Award and major television roles, while Douglas has remained one of the most established actors and producers in Hollywood.
Their shared birthday, long marriage and growing family have all become part of their story. More than 25 years after their wedding, Michael Douglas remains Catherine Zeta-Jones’s husband, while both continue to maintain careers and lives of their own.