After years of ups and downs, Catherine Zeta-Jones is enjoying one of the happiest chapters of her life.
At 55, the Welsh Oscar-winner is winning praise for her role as Morticia Addams in Netflix’s hit series Wednesday, while also finding peace and stability at home with husband Michael Douglas.
Despite constant Hollywood whispers that their marriage was under strain, friends say Catherine has “never been happier,” describing her 25-year relationship with Douglas as being in a “really good place.”
A Marriage That Beat the Odds
When promoting Wednesday, Catherine playfully noted how remarkable it was that their union has lasted a quarter of a century—especially in an industry where marriages often collapse in just a few years.
She joked, “We haven’t tried to kill each other. I’m sure he’s tried… but he’s never succeeded.”
For years, the couple’s relationship has been the subject of gossip.
Hollywood insiders often bet on whether they would split, citing their fiery personalities and public spats.
One infamous moment came just last year at the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, when Douglas was caught wagging his finger at Catherine during what looked like a heated argument on the red carpet.
From Glamorous Beginnings to Rocky Patches
The couple’s love story began in 1998 when they were introduced by actress Melanie Griffith at the Deauville Film Festival in France.
Douglas, already a Hollywood heavyweight, boldly told Catherine: “I’m going to be the father of your children.”
Catherine’s reply? A polite but firm “goodnight” before she left the party.
Undeterred, Douglas sent her roses and managed to charm her on their second date in New York.
By 2000, they were married in a lavish ceremony at New York’s Plaza Hotel, with A-list guests including Steven Spielberg, Sharon Stone, and Jack Nicholson.
But even with a fairy-tale wedding and the births of their two children—Dylan and Carys—their relationship was far from smooth.
Illness, Strain, and a Public Split
Trouble deepened in 2010 when Douglas was diagnosed with stage-four oral cancer.
While he battled through intense chemotherapy and radiation, Catherine struggled to manage the pressures of raising young children, maintaining her career, and dealing with her own mental health challenges.
By 2011, she had checked into a Connecticut treatment facility for bipolar II disorder.
In 2013, the couple announced a split and entered intensive therapy—both individually and together.
Friends say their marriage “was hanging by a thread” but note that neither ever stopped loving the other.
Eventually, they reconciled. Catherine moved with the children and her mother to their upstate New York home, while Douglas remained in their Manhattan apartment, visiting every weekend.
Slowly, through therapy, quiet time away from the spotlight, and family support, they rebuilt their marriage.
Healing, Rebuilding, and a Fresh Chapter
By 2014, the couple were back together, enjoying vacations in Majorca and simple dinners away from cameras.
Still, Catherine’s career faced setbacks. At one point, she even turned to selling items on shopping channel QVC.
Friends say it wasn’t until her children were older that she began focusing on acting again.
Her comeback came with Wednesday.
While her role in season one was relatively small, fan reaction was so strong that Netflix expanded her part in season two—where critics say she now “steals the show” from star Jenna Ortega and guest stars like Lady Gaga.
Douglas Steps Back as Catherine Steps Forward
Meanwhile, Michael Douglas has stepped away from acting after nearly 60 years in the business.
He told audiences at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in the Czech Republic that he hasn’t worked since 2022, admitting he didn’t want to “drop dead on set.”
While not officially retired, he says he’s happy to let Catherine shine, joking, “I’m happy to play the wife.”
Friends believe this shift has strengthened their marriage. For years, Douglas’s career overshadowed Catherine’s.
Now, with her resurgence and his willingness to step back, the balance has changed.
Looking Ahead to New Roles and New Adventures
Next month, Catherine will head to Britain to film Kill Jackie, an eight-part Prime Video series, with locations in London, Lisbon, and her hometown of Swansea.
She’s also starring in The Gallerist alongside her Wednesday co-star Jenna Ortega.
Production on season three of Wednesday begins this November in Ireland.
For Catherine, the opportunities are rolling in.
Friends say she’s determined to make the most of this new career chapter while enjoying the stability of her marriage.
As one insider put it: “Happy wife, happy life—and that seems to be the case with Catherine and Michael these days.”
