When Michael Douglas, then 54, caught sight of Catherine Zeta-Jones portraying Elena Montero in 1998’s “The Mask of Zorro,” he was instantly captivated.
In that same year, both Oscar-winning actors found themselves at the Deauville Film Festival, with Zeta-Jones promoting the film alongside Antonio Banderas, and Douglas attending for his movie, “A Perfect Murder.”
Following his instincts, Douglas had his publicist arrange a meeting.
However, things didn’t quite go as planned.
“I met her in the bar and was a complete gentleman,” shared the star of “Fatal Attraction” with People magazine. He recounted inviting her back to his room for a nightcap.
Later that evening, when the now 54-year-old star of “Ocean’s Twelve” joined him, he fumbled by saying, “You know, I’m going to be the father of your children.”
Douglas remembers her response: “You know I’ve heard a lot about you, and I’ve seen a lot about you, and I think it’s time that I say goodnight.”
Meanwhile, Zeta-Jones, whose breakout role was in “The Mask of Zorro,” believed the encounter with her future husband was purely work-related.
“I was going to a film festival. I thought Michael Douglas wanted to meet me for work because I knew he was a producer as well as an actor. I genuinely thought that because I was in work mode and I was going to a film festival, and that’s where film deals are made,” explained Zeta-Jones.
“So I never thought, ‘Oh my God, he wants to date me.’ And within hours of meeting me, he told me he wanted to father my children. So I presumed this was not for a job.”
But Douglas was undeterred. Knowing he would soon be filming “Entrapment” in Scotland, he arranged for roses to be delivered to her room upon her arrival.
In a 2019 interview with Access, Zeta-Jones joked, “You know what the worst thing is? He was right.”
Despite their initial hiccups, the couple, who share the same birthday with a 25-year age gap, have faced challenges. In 2013, they briefly separated, reportedly due to stress. However, they reconciled after a year apart.
In 2010, Douglas battled throat cancer, while Zeta-Jones grappled with bipolar disorder. But through it all, their love endured.
Recently, on their 23rd wedding anniversary, the couple, now grandparents, expressed their enduring love for each other. Sharing photos from their wedding and beyond, Zeta-Jones wrote, “Today we celebrate 23 years of marriage. Darling Michael, your Nobel Peace Prize awaits, I love you… from your darling wife, a gold star Medal of Honor recipient.”
Douglas also took to Instagram to share his sentiments, writing, “Happy 23 and Me, my darling @catherinezetajones. Can’t wait for 24! Happy Anniversary.”
“One netizen expresses, ‘I’ve always admired you both, which has fueled my love for all things classic… Happy Wedding Anniversary, my all-time favorite couple.’
Another shares, ‘The most charming and perfect couple!!! Congratulations!!’ While a third adds, ‘Remarkable! You’ve got to be one of the best couples in Hollywood for sure. I admire both of your work! Thank you for so many years of fantastic entertainment.’”
An update on Kate Middleton’s first announced engagement following surgery
Even though there are still many unanswered questions about Kate Middleton, not the least of which is what led to the “abdominal procedure” that will keep her out of commission until after Easter, there has been an update that should interest everyone who considers themselves to be a royal fan.
The Princess of Wales is scheduled to attend her first formal engagement following surgery on June 8, according to sources.
Hi there! Say that one week prior to the big event, on that date, Kate will review Trooping the Colour.
The Household Division’s official website has a statement that says, “Her Royal Highness reviewed Trooping the Colour.” The Princess of Wales is exactly the same as Trooping the Colour as seen by His Majesty the King, with the exception that when He is present, a few more mounted officers ride.
“The second of two formal Reviews will feature a parade of over 1400 soldiers from the Household Division and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, along with 400 musicians from the Massed Bands,” the statement reads.
Kate’s scheduled return to royal duties on a set date may help soothe the fears of many who have interpreted the general dearth of information since the future Queen’s operation as a negative sign.
In recent weeks, there has been a lot of conjecture around the potential that Kate’s condition is worse than the Palace has disclosed. In an attempt to reassure the public that Kate was “doing well,” the Palace itself was compelled to release a statement restating its earlier assertions that all is OK with her recuperation.
Nevertheless, the general dearth of public knowledge has left a void where speculation frequently spreads like wildfire.
The fact that the Princess of Wales had not been spotted in person or on camera since Christmas did not assist the situation much. That is, until yesterday, when Kate was photographed sitting in a car outside of Windsor Castle with her mother, Carol Middleton.
With the photo, Kate was seen for the first time in seventy days. Even while the Royal Family has been trying to convince royal admirers over the past week that the Princess is only recovering on her own terms, away from the flashing of cameras, this has led to a new round of wild speculation.
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