Michael Douglas is opening up about one of the hardest chapters of his marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones. In his new memoir“One Helluva Ride,”the actor writes that the couple briefly separated in 2013 while facing two enormous challenges at once: his stage four cancer battle and her treatment for bipolar disorder. Instead of letting the pressure tear them apart for good, Douglas says they chose to call a timeout and step back.
Speaking with ABC News’Diane Sawyer, Douglas explained that the time apart made him realize how deeply he loved and missed his wife.“Sometimes I think it’s just good to kind of call time out and just talk as two human beings,”he said. The space reignited the spark that first brought them together, and by 2014, the couple had reunited. They’ve now been married since 2000 and share two children, Dylan, 26, and Carys, 23.
There’s also a lighter side to the story. Zeta-Jones recently joked that she’s too busy to finish reading her husband’s memoir, which might be the most relatable married-person move of all time. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the couple or just love a good comeback story, this one proves that sometimes a pause is exactly what a relationship needs.
What do you think: can taking a break actually strengthen a marriage? Sound off in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.