Michael Douglas said he “never gave up hope” that he would “reconcile” with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones after their brief breakup in 2013.
The 82-year-old Oscar winner was asked how he won [Zeta-Jones] back” at that time in a New Sunday Times interview on Tuesday while promoting his memoir, “One Helluva Ride.”
Douglas explained, “It was a mutual thing… You know, we had our problems but I love her very much and have, you know, for 25 years.”
After narrowing her eyes, the “Kominsky Method” star reportedly told the reporter, “I mean, I don’t know about your marital status, but you know marriage is a lot of work.”
“And so, you know, we’re good,” he said of their relationship. “We’re in good shape. That’s all I can say.”
When asked if Zeta-Jones, 57, was nervous about her book coming out, Douglas replied, “She hasn’t read it.”
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Douglas and Zeta-Jones tied the knot on November 18, 2000, the same year he finalized his divorce from his first wife, Deandra Luker.
The couple have two children, 26-year-old Dylan and 23-year-old daughter Carys, who are both actors.
In August 2013, after nearly 13 years of their marriage, news broke that Douglas and Zeta-Jones were “taking a break.”
At the time, Douglas told People, “We’re working on things, talking, and we’ll see how it goes.”
However, the ‘Traffic’ co-stars reconciled shortly afterward and Douglas opened up about the brief split On “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” In 2015.
“This can’t be a one-way street,” the “Basic Instinct” star said. “But I’m crazy about her. And yes, I think every couple has their hard times.”
Douglas said that because the couple is “in the public eye”, their private life is “a little more exposed than other people’s.”
“We’ve come back stronger than ever,” he said.
Last November, Zeta-Jones shared a special tribute to Douglas on Instagram Celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.
“25 years ago today, I walked down the aisle,” she wrote. “The heady scent of flowers, the glow of candles, the resounding harmonious Welsh choir and the way you can see, waiting for me at the end of a long walk.
Zeta-Jones added, “I love you as much today as I did then.” “Thank you sweetheart.”
In his memoir, Douglas confirmed that he had a secret affair with “Romancing the Stone” co-star Kathleen Turner while he was married to Luker, 70.
Douglas claimed the former lovers, who share 47-year-old son Cameron, were separated at the time, but “were having an extramarital affair.”
“One Helluva Ride” hits bookshelves Tuesday.