Michael Douglas Broke Up With 5 Women for Catherine Zeta-Jones Romance

Oct 06, 2026 - 01:14

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Michael Douglas Broke Up With 5 Women for Catherine Zeta-Jones Romance

Michael Douglas Broke Up With 5 Women After Going Public With Catherine Zeta-Jones Romance

Michael Douglas changed completely for Catherine Zeta-Jones.

In the Fatal Attraction star’s new memoir One Helluva Ride, out Oct. 6, he owned up to his past playboy behavior, admitting he had to end relationships with five women when his romance with The Mask of Zorro actress in the late 1990s became official.

“From the moment I met Catherine and we formed a family,” Douglas wrote in the memoir, per The Los Angeles Times, “I was a new man.”

Indeed, Douglas—dad to Cameron Douglas, 47, with ex Diandra Luker, as well as Dylan Douglas, 26, and Carys Douglas, 22, with Zeta-Jones—didn’t hold back in the memoir when it came to his relationship history.

He admitted he was unfaithful in his first marriage, also confirming affairs with his Romancing the Stone costar Kathleen Turner, as well as Basic Instinct costar Jeanne Tripplehorn.

However, Douglas did shut down decades of speculation that he was having an affair with his other Basic Instinct star Sharon Stone.

“They were so focused on a possible relationship between Sharon and me,” the 82-year-old wrote elsewhere in his memoir, “They missed the real relationship happening between me and Jeanne.”

But while Douglas and Zeta-Jones have been married since 1999, the pair have certainly weathered their own share of ups and downs. In 2013, the couple briefly separated, which Douglas also addressed in his forthcoming memoir.

As he wrote in the book, “I never gave up hope that we would reconcile.”

And the Oscar winner confirmed that the couple’s brief separation—they had confirmed they were back together by 2014—was a choice they made together.

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“What, I won her back? It was a mutual,” Douglas told The Sunday Times in an interview published Oct. 4. “You know, we had our problems but I love her dearly and, 25 years, you know.”

And now, the Wall Street alum considers his bond with the Chicago actress as strong as ever.

“Marriage is a lot of work,” he added. “And so, you know, we’re good. We’re in good shape. It’s all I can say.”

Zeta-Jones, for her part, echoed the sentiment in her anniversary post to Douglas last November.

“Twenty-five years ago today, I walked down the aisle,” the 57-year-old wrote. “The intoxicating aroma of flowers, the glow of the candles, the resounding harmonious Welsh choir and you at the end of the long walk waiting for me, looking at me the way only you can. I love you today as I did then. Thank you sweetheart.”

For a deeper look into the couple’s relationship timeline, keep reading…

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The Night Before I-Do!

The couple were glowing with anticipation for their wedding rehearsal dinner at NYC's Russian Tea Room in November 2000.

Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

Razzle-Dazzle 'Em

They cut quite a figure at the L.A. premiere of Chicago in 2002.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

Soon-to-Be Parents of Two

Catherine was famously pregnant with Carys throughout the 2003 awards season. She didn't win a Golden Globe on this night, but her name was called at the Oscars a month later.

Jon Furniss/WireImage.com

Couple Go-Lightly

Catherine channels Audrey Hepburn at the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize Awards Gala.

Lalo Yasky/WireImage.com

Unbuttoned

A couple of fresh fall looks in October 2006.

Jeffrey Ufberg/WireImage.com

Hand in Hand

We're loving CZJ's wavy lob in April 2008.

Jim Spellman/WireImage

Here's Looking at You

After bounding back from tongue cancer, Michael looks pretty happy to be alive at the NYC premiere of Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps in November 2010.

Michael Buckner/Getty Images

Date in the Desert

They attend the Icon Award Presentation during the 22nd Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival in January 2011.

Carlo Allegri\Getty Image

Pretty in Pink

"Oh, no big deal, just standing next to a goddess here..." in 2011.

John Parra/WireImage.com

Twinsies

The longtime couple sport similar looks during New York Fashion Week in February 2011.

Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images

For a Cause

The chic duo step out in New York for the Children of Chernobyl Hosts Children At Heart Gala Dinner in November 2011.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Shine On

They attend a 2012 Tribeca Film Festival event in April hand in hand.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

What Do You Think?

"Personally, I think they're a little sweet." (Overheard at the 2012 Monte Cristo Awards, which of course doesn't actually honor the sandwich.)

Kevin Mazur/VF13/WireImage

That's a Wrap

Douglas puts the moves on his wife in 2013 during the annual Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Courtesy: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for GREY GOOSE

Simply Gorgeous

The couple look happy and healthy at Grey Goose's cocktail reception for The Film Society of Lincoln Center's 40th Chaplin Award Gala in April 2013, a few months before announcing what would turn out to be a temporary separation.

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Movie Business

They hit the red carpet at the 2014 AFI Life Achievement Award Gala in Hollywood that June.

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Hitting the Slopes

The fam shares a holiday vacation pic in December 2014.

Grant Lamos IV/Getty Images

Cold Shoulder?

The philanthropic pair attend the Phoenix House Public Service Award Dinner in January 2015.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Live From New York

Another glam night out, here at the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Celebration in February 2015.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Out With a Bang

The patrons of the arts attend the opening night celebration for The Library at The Public Theater in April 2015.

Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images for Genesis Prize Foundation

Honorable Mention

The whole family is there to watch Michael Douglas be honored in Jerusalem with the Genesis Prize, presented by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in June 2015.

Dave J Hogan/Getty Images