Why Did Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas Briefly Break Up? Inside Their Split

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones are one of Hollywood’s longest-standing couples, but, like anyone else, the pair has experienced their fair share of ups and downs — including a brief split, otherwise called a “break” by some. And Michael’s 2026 memoir, One Helluva Ride, provides insight into the Fatal Attraction star’s past affairs before he fell in love with the Academy Award-winning actress.

In one section of his book, Michael recalls the moment Catherine told him her standards: she wouldn’t date him if he kept seeing other women. In fact, he was seeing five others, the actor noted in his memoir.

“She told me she understood that I was a single guy who’d come out of a long marriage, but she would only be monogamous,” Michael says  in one excerpt. “‘I’m not interested in dating you if you’re dating other people. You can either continue with them or end it and be with me.’ … I told her wait here, I have to make five quick calls. ‘Five? You have to make five calls?’”

Michael continues, “Just after my marriage [to ex-wife Diandra Luker], I had been seeing five other women. They knew I was recently separated and in the process of getting a divorce. I made sure they all lived in different cities, which felt like a respectful way to be non-monogamous. That day, I called each one to say I met somebody and would no longer be able to continue seeing them. They all took it well.”

But somewhere along the way of Michael and Catherine’s love, they took some time apart. Below, Hollywood Life unpacks Michael and Catherine’s years-long relationship and their brief split.

When Did Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas Break Up?

Catherine and Michael reportedly separated sometime in 2013. They seemingly reconciled by 2014.

Why Did Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta-Jones Split?

According to the Wall Street actor, he and the Mask of Zorro actress took some time away from each other because they “had [their] problems,” which he noted during an interview with The Sunday Times when he was asked how he “won her back.”

“It was a mutual … You know, we had our problems, but I love her dearly and, 25 years, you know,” Michael responded. “I mean, I don’t know about your marital status, but marriage is a lot of work, you know. And so, you know, we’re good. We’re in good shape. It’s all I can say.”

Did Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas Ever Divorce?

No. Michael and Catherine never legally separated or divorced. Upon taking a break in 2013, the couple did not seek legal separation.

Who Did Michael Douglas Have Affairs With?

Michael engaged in quite a few affairs in the past, though the most highly publicized one was with his on-screen Romancing the Stone co-star, Kathleen Turner.

“The truth is that during the production of Romancing the Stone, Kathleen and I fell hard for each other and began a relationship,” Michael reveals in his 2026 memoir. “It wasn’t a fly-by night affair; it grew naturally from how closely we were working together, how much pressure we were under, how much we respected and cared for one another, and how attracted we were to each other. Like every other guy in the world at the time, I was knocked sideways by Kathleen….”

The actor also had affairs with his Basic Instinct co-star Jeanne Tripplehorn and screenwriter Diane Thomas.