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.’”
It’s Been A Rough Few Years For Simon Cowell, And They Changed His Life
Simon Cowell has experienced multiple health issues as a result of two separate bicycle accidents that occurred over a two-year period.
Simon and the other judges from America’s Got Talent openly acknowledged these instances during their recent appearance on the Today Show. The show’s hosts were Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Terry Crews.
The 64-year-old celebrity experienced the same fate when pedalling about London in early 2022 after falling from his e-bike in Malibu in 2020.
Simon was questioned about how these losses had changed his perspective on life in a promotional piece for the forthcoming 18th season of America’s Got Talent.
When asked how he felt physically before the tragedies, he replied, “wasn’t in the best shape before the mishaps, so they were far from terrific, rather quite terrible.” I didn’t understand how unsuited I truly was until the healing process.
And then he said, “It was a revelation, a true god’ moment!” Simon saw his unwavering zeal for riding and remarked that he believed everything happened for a reason.
He exclaimed, “I’m not giving up on my bike,” much to the delight of his fellow actors. I can’t get enough of these amazing inventions.
Simon was questioned about how these losses had changed his perspective on life in a promotional piece for the forthcoming 18th season of America’s Got Talent.
When asked how he felt physically before the tragedies, he replied, “wasn’t in the best shape before the mishaps, so they were far from terrific, rather quite terrible.” I didn’t understand how unsuited I truly was until the healing process.
And then he said, “It was a revelation, a true god’ moment!” Simon saw his unwavering zeal for riding and remarked that he believed everything happened for a reason.
He exclaimed, “I’m not giving up on my bike,” much to the delight of his fellow actors. I can’t get enough of these amazing inventions.
In an interview with The Sun in April of last year, he discussed dealing with the fallout from his e-bike accident.
He remarked, “I was in such a terrible place when I fractured my back that I considered going to therapy for the first time in my life.”
I was miserable because I couldn’t express how I was feeling to Eric. I wondered when I would be able to resume activities with him, like playing football and taking walks.
Eric was born to Simon and Lauren on February 14, 2014. After his bike accidents, the TV celebrity claimed that his child had come up with a humorous new nickname for him.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Britain’s Got Talent judge acknowledged that he felt “embarrassed” after watching the episodes at home.
After surgery, Simon’s back is held together by metal rods and screws, but he took comfort in the fact that his kid made a comparison between him and the well-known superhero Iron Man.
Simon recalled with pride, “When I reunited with my family, Eric said, ‘Dad, you look like Iron Man.’” “Yeah, I’m like Iron Man, indeed,” I grinned.Image source: Wikimedia
Since then, Simon has had little trouble laughing off his difficulties and has even downplayed the more serious initial wounds he received while working on the AGT stage in June 2021.
During a demonstration of a kid-friendly Shaolin Kung Fu act, Terry, being the curious one, questioned Simon if he could ever see himself performing such risky acrobatics.
Simon joked back to the pair, “After hurting my back, I got to the point where I would go around the garden with Eric, believing it was a fantastic accomplishment. Nonetheless, I couldn’t stop myself from doing it without thinking, “Maybe not such a great idea!”
Simon’s path of fortitude and reflection serves as evidence of the unbreakable determination that propels him ahead.
Despite the difficulties caused by the bicycle accidents, he keeps up his excitement for cycling and for life in general, while still finding humour in his misadventures.
Simon joked back to the pair, “After hurting my back, I got to the point where I would go around the garden with Eric, believing it was a fantastic accomplishment. Nonetheless, I couldn’t stop myself from doing it without thinking, “Maybe not such a great idea!”
Simon’s path of fortitude and reflection serves as evidence of the unbreakable determination that propels him ahead.
Despite the difficulties caused by the bicycle accidents, he keeps up his excitement for cycling and for life in general, while still finding humour in his misadventures.
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