Michael Douglas Regrets Taking Catherine Zeta-Jones for Granted and Worked Hard to Rekindle Romance & Become "Stronger Than Ever"

Coming out and taking responsibility for the mistakes that he had committed in the past was a big gesture from the iconic Hollywood star.

Source: Getty Images | Photo by (L) Chris Weeks / Staff, (R) Tommaso Boddi / Stringer

By Ankita Mishra

August 5, 2020

Posted August 5, 2020

That Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones make an inspiring couple is nothing new! They have set the bar for other couples too high and forged a formidable relationship over the years. If you want to learn a thing or two about equal contributions to a relationship, Michael Douglas can give you some cues.

While they have stuck together through many ups and downs, there was a time when they decided to take a break and evaluate their relationship. During this time, Douglas was just declared cancer-free and Zeta-Jones was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This phase in their marital life really tested them and eventually, they decided to take a step back.

However, even during this brief period of split, Douglas did not remove his wedding ring and this could give you an idea about his belief in the marriage. "Sometimes people take a little bit of a break, but it doesn't necessarily mean that's the end. I'm very hopeful," he elaborated on The Tonight Show.

When such is one's belief in their relationship and the bond he shares with his partner, getting back together does not seem like a surprising move. Douglas and Zeta-Jones got back together after their brief period apart, restoring people's faith in love and the idea of "forever."

In an old interview, Douglas bore his heart out about his relationship and regretted some of his decisions. This in a way shows that accepting one's own mistakes is a gesture of humility and can help them work better towards eliminating the areas of doubts. He also revealed that he has developed a mature outlook in life and battling cancer has helped him develop a newer perspective in life.

"When you are younger you care what other people think," he said. “And you take the person closest to you for granted. You waste a lot of energy on strangers to make a good impression." He also said, “When you’re older you focus that energy on the people closest to you, on your family. And you’re courteous.”

He went on to give a piece of very valuable advice that could prove to be helpful for many couples out there. He said, “First you have to admit that you made a mistake, then dealing with it is easy. Of course, it’s important to make mistakes, as long as you grow from them,” he explained.

The fact that the couple beat their differences and got back together, stronger than ever shows that his approach towards the relationship did prove to be a boon for them. "It can't be a one-way street. I'm crazy about her...I think every couple has their difficult times," he had said on The Ellen Show. "The only problem is, as you well know, we're all in the public eye and it tends to get a little more exposed than most. But we're back, stronger than ever."

As time passed, their relationship only grew stronger and it could only have been possible due to their dedication to one another. Michael's stepdad Donald Webster revealed to The Sun that the couple had worked really hard to save their relationship which included going to several romantic vacations to rekindle the spark in their marriage.

Douglas also admitted that with time he has got more comfortable in his intimate life as well. Asked if he is in the prime of his life, he said, “Sexually? I am more comfortable in my own skin now.”

Furthermore, he is also a better parent now, he admitted. He had earlier blamed his absence for his son Cameron's drug use but he got another chance as a father after he married Zeta-Jones and this time around he did a better job, reports The Sun.

He said, “I have more time today than when I was a dad the first time around. Back then everything was about my career. That always came first," he said. “Today that’s different, it’s reserved. And I think I have a lot more patience today.”