Catherine Zeta-Jones Made Michael Douglas Call Five Women Before They Started Dating

Nov 03, 2026 by apost team

Catherine Zeta-Jones wasn’t about to play games when it came to Michael Douglas. Before their romance blossomed into one of Hollywood’s longest-lasting marriages, the actress reportedly gave the legendary actor a blunt warning: If he wanted to be with her, he would have to change his ways.

Douglas, 82, revisited the moment during an appearance on “The Graham Norton Show,” revealing that his future wife made her expectations crystal clear when they began dating.

“When I courted Catherine, she told me, ‘If we are doing this, you need to clean your act up,’” he recalled.

At the time, Douglas had been divorced from his first wife, Diandra Luker, and was dating several women. But Zeta-Jones, 57, wasn’t interested in being part of a casual arrangement.

“I was divorced and seeing some other people at the time, so I had to call five women to break things off,” he explained.

The actor’s confession comes from his recently released memoir, “One Helluva Ride,” in which he offers a candid account of his personal life, including his romantic history before meeting the Welsh actress.

Following his separation from Luker in 1995, Douglas had been seeing women who lived in different cities. When Zeta-Jones made it clear that she wanted an exclusive relationship, he realized he had some explaining to do.

In the book, he recalls telling her to wait while he made five quick phone calls. Her reaction? “Five? You have to make five calls?”

It was hardly the most conventional start to a Hollywood love story, but Douglas was evidently willing to make the necessary changes.

The couple first crossed paths at the Deauville American Film Festival in France in 1998, after Douglas became captivated by Zeta-Jones while watching an early screening of “The Mask of Zorro.”

He arranged an introduction through his publicist, and the pair eventually met for drinks. Douglas was immediately taken with the actress, describing her as smart, funny, confident and breathtakingly beautiful in his memoir.

During their first encounter, he famously told her, “I’m going to be the father of your children.” It turned out to be quite the prediction.

The couple welcomed their son Dylan Douglas in August 2000, before exchanging vows at New York City’s Plaza Hotel that November. Their daughter Carys arrived in April 2003.

Their relationship has not been without its challenges. The pair announced a separation in 2013 but reconciled the following year, with Douglas later describing their reunion as a mutual effort.

Speaking to PEOPLE in October, the actor credited humor and communication with helping their marriage stand the test of time.

“A good sense of humor doesn’t hurt, number one. And talking things out,” he said, explaining that they try to avoid using words like “never” and “always” during disagreements.

He also emphasized the importance of putting yourself in your partner’s position before making a judgment.

“But you gotta have fun,” he added.

More than 25 years after saying “I do,” the couple appear to have found their rhythm. And judging by Douglas’ latest revelations, Zeta-Jones knew exactly what she wanted from the very beginning — and wasn’t afraid to make sure her future husband understood.

apost.com

Are you surprised by Catherine Zeta-Jones’s ultimatum to Michael Douglas? Do you think you would have done the same? Let us know, and then pass this on to friends and family who love getting the lowdown on celebrity romances!