Catherine Zeta-Jones Reunited Stepson 25-Year-Older Michael Douglas Who Quit Career to Have Family with Her

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas married in 2000 and have been together since. Though more than being a wife to the actor, Zeta-Jones brought Douglas and his son closer after they spent years estranged. Today, they boast of a close-knit family.

Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones and her husband, Michael Douglas, have been together for decades and have been dubbed one of Hollywood’s power couples. They first met in 1998 after a friend told the actress that Douglas wanted to meet her.

The actress was nervous because she did not know why he wanted to meet her. On the other hand, even with the conviction in his heart about meeting her, Douglas did not know what to say and worried that a cheesy pickup line would ruin his chances.

Catherine Zeta-Jones attends the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Rainbow Room on February 28, 2021 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

After meeting and hanging out for an hour, Douglas confidently declared that he would be the father of Zeta-Jones’ children. He thought he’d done well until Zeta-Jones, who had heard not-so-pleasing things about Douglas, answered:

“You know, I’ve heard a lot about you, and I’ve seen a lot about you, and I think it’s time I say goodnight.'”

Realizing his mistake, the “Falling Down” actor apologized with flowers, putting him back in Zeta-Jones’ graces. When Michael and Zeta-Jones met, he was already father to son Cameron, from his marriage to his first wife, model Diandra Luker.

Cameron recalls when his dad met Cameron and told him about it. When Cameron asked who she was, Douglas replied: “The girl from Zorro,” to which Cameron replied that she was hot.

Nine months after the first meeting, Zeta-Jones and Douglas continued enjoying each other’s company, going on dinner dates, and having long conversations on the phone. As such, they decided they wanted to make their romance work, despite Douglas being the same age as Zeta-Jones’ parents and 25 years older than she is.

TAKING THEIR ROMANCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Seeing things were going great for them, Douglas decided it was time to take their romance to the next level, and on New Year’s Eve in 1999, he went down on his knee and proposed to the actress.

He gave Zeta-Jones an antique Fred Leighton 10-carat diamond ring, surrounded by 28 smaller diamonds. The proposal came a month after the actor confirmed that Zeta-Jones was pregnant with their first child together.

They married on November 18, 2000 — months after welcoming their son Dylan — at the famed Plaza Hotel in New York in what many news outlets dubbed the wedding of the year.

Hollywood’s most prominent and brightest stars, including Steven Spielberg, Barbara Walters, Tom Hanks, Sharon Stone, and Brad Pitt, attended the wedding. Douglas’ son Cameron was the best man.

Cameron Douglas, Michael Douglas, and Catherine Zeta-Jones pose at the Michael Douglas Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame ceremony on November 6, 2018 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Zeta-Jones became more than Douglas’ wife once they got married. She became the glue that would bind her family together and correct her husband and his son’s estranged relationship.

During Douglas’ first marriage, he was away most of the time, working on his career, but with his second one, he decided he would be present. With Zeta-Jones at the prime of her career, he decided to ramp down his own so that he could be there for his family.

ZETA-JONES AND CAMERON’S RELATIONSHIP

Many believe in the narrative that there can be no relationship between a child and their stepmother. Yet Zeta-Jones came into her marriage with Douglas ready to be the best stepmom there was to Cameron.

Cameron Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones attend Kirk Douglas’ one man show “Before I Forget” at The Kirk Douglas Theatre on March 6, 2009 in Culver City, California. | Source: Getty Images

The Welsh-born actress helped Cameron grow up, find a focus in life, and ‘cement’ the family bond. Cameron disclosed that since joining the family, Zeta-Jones was always about keeping the family close. He recalls:

“From the first day I met her, she said, ‘I want us to be friends, and I want you to know that you are a huge part of our family and are welcome any time.'”

And after years of a tumultuous relationship between father and son, Zeta-Jones helped Douglas and Cameron get over their hostile relationship and get closer. He said:

“Dad and I have had our ups and downs over the years, but Catherine is someone who has cemented the family together.”

Like his father, who for years carried the baggage of living under the shadow of his famous dad, Kirk Douglas, Cameron was sick with anxiety and self-consciousness from people’s expectations of him. However, Zeta-Jones was able to put things into perspective for him, and he is forever grateful.

WELCOMING THEIR SECOND CHILD TOGETHER

Despite his advanced age, Douglas welcomed his second baby with Zeta-Jones, Carys Zeta Douglas, in 2003. As has been the focus since she married Douglas, Zeta-Jones ensured that the family remained close.

She has ensured that the family spends plenty of time together. As Cameron admits, Zeta-Jones is the one that invited him to spend more time at the main house on the island of Bermuda. He shared back in 2009:

“This is going to be the first time in years where I’ve lived in the same place as my mum and dad.”

Cameron said during his time in Bermuda, “Catherine doesn’t wear make-up. She’s just a normal mum. She and Dad spend most of their time with the kids. Often she’ll join Dad and me on the sofa and watch an American football game.”

DOUGLAS AND ZETA-JONES ARE NOW GRANDPARENTS

The power couple has been married for over two decades. Marriage life has had its (un)fair share of challenges they had learned to overcome. However, they have also had some memorable moments, like celebrating their shared birthdays.

Another highlight in their marriage is celebrating becoming grandparents to Cameron’s kids. The two became grandparents for the first time in 2017 when Cameron welcomed his first child, Lua Izzy, whose middle name is a tribute to Douglas’ father, born Issur Danielovitch, later going by Izzy.

Cameron and long-time girlfriend Viviane Thibes welcomed their second baby, son Ryder T. Douglas, in December 2020, making Douglas and Zeta-Jones second-time grandparents. Zeta-Jones shared how wonderful it had been spending time with her kids and grandkids during the lockdown and how joyful they had been for the new addition to the family.

As if their marriage is not cute enough, Douglas says he is still fascinated with his wife of 22 years. “She does [still give me butterflies],” He told Us Weekly. Even so, the feelings are mutual, and the two are equally crazy about each other.

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