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Michael Douglas has the marriage and divorce story you would expect from a top actor with a long career.
Whether fans know him for his classic work from decades ago or his role as the curmudgeonly Hank Pym in the MCU, Michael Douglas is a Hollywood legend.
But the issue of his marital status has been questioned more than once, and rightly so.
Hollywood marriages are complex issues. But here is its history and the current situation.
Who was Michael Douglas’ first marriage and divorce?
As we mentioned, Michael Douglas has been a prominent actor since before many of his fans were alive. As such, the history of their relationship dates back almost to that same moment.
In 1971, Michael Douglas began dating fellow actress Brenda Vaccaro, after filming summer tree.
That romance would last six years of their lives.
However, he moved on and his next serious relationship took on a more formal label.
In March 1977, Douglas, then 32 years old, married the daughter of an Austrian diplomat. Diandra Luker was 19 years old at the time.
During their relationship, they welcomed a son. Their son, Cameron, was born in 1978.
In 1995, after almost 20 years together, Diandra filed for divorce from Michael Douglas.
The settlement included a payment to her in the amount of $45 million.
Michael Douglas’ most famous relationship is with Catherine Zeta-Jones
In March 1999, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones began dating.
Both were already immensely famous stars and quickly made it clear that they were serious about each other.
On November 18, 2000, Douglas and Zeta-Jones were married.
They have taken in two children. The couple had a son Dylan Michael on August 8, 2000 and a daughter Carys Zeta on April 20, 20003.
Despite their famous romance and two shared children, there have been bumps in the road.
At the end of summer 2013, People reported that Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones were living apart.
In fact, the report alleges that both had begun this informal separation – without submitting any request – in May of that year.
However, reports maintained that they were taking a break to make the marriage work.
By November they had reportedly reconciled and were living together again. In 2015, Douglas characterized his marriage as “stronger than ever” while speaking to Ellen DeGeneres.
Did Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones get divorced?
In October 2023, online radar claimed that Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones were actually divorced in everything but the name. Memorably, Zeta-Jones has expressed disgust about divorce and has no desire to do so.
“The marriage is over, but they don’t want to do the whole divorce and separation thing,” the source alleged.
“So they have this arrangement that works for them because no one knows. They’re definitely living separate lives.”
If Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones are truly divorced in all but name, they are making a excellent job of hiding it.
As of early 2025, there were still no official rumors about any marriage breakup in the former Hollywood couple.
Catherine sends a birthday message to the world
Interestingly, Michael and Catherine share a birthday.
And last year, Catherine marked the occasion by posting a nude photo on Instagram.
Many took it as a way to confirm that her marriage to Michael remains happy and healthy.
Whatever his intention, he reminded millions of people that Michael is a very lucky man!
