Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas stunned fans when they announced their engagement on December 31, 1999, despite their 25-year age gap, but the couple got the last laugh having enjoyed a longstanding marriage.
The couple, who have been happily married for over two decades, are gearing up for a double celebration as they both mark their birthdays today (September 25).
The Welsh-born star turns 55 while her beau celebrates his 80th birthday today. Their love story began in 1998 when the latter saw Catherine, who was then 29 years old, in her role as the enigmatic Elena Montero in The Mask of Zorro. Michael later arranged for his publicist to set up a meeting between them and you could say the rest was history.
Express Online delves into the famous pair's romance which Catherine shared has had its "ups and downs".
"It's a long road and I think people are so quick to throw in the towel on marriage," she told the Daily Mail in 2016. "You have to give it your best shot and not give up when the first problem arises, because that won't be the last problem. There will be many more down the road."
" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Getty" data-licensor-name="Getty" /> "It will be the first child for Ms Zeta Jones. Mr Douglas has a son, Cameron, from a previous marriage."
Her parents Pat and Dai, from Mumbles, near Swansea, reportedly flew out to Los Angeles to offer her support during the pregnancy.
" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Getty" data-licensor-name="Getty" />Addressing their brief split in 2013, The Mask of Zorro star told the publication: "It's impossible for there not to be ups and downs if you live with the same person and wake up with them every day.
"I've been waking up to Mike for nearly 25 years. I love being married but it's a crazy thing when you really think about it. ‘Will you marry me?' ‘Sure!' But then you think about the Chanel purse you spent a fortune on, and actually I don't really like it any more - I'll put it up for resale."
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"We were born on the same day, 25 years apart. We're just very good with one another, we respect each other, and I never really feel that he's 25 years older than me," she continued, adding, "I remember people saying, "When you're 50, he's going to be 75.
"Well, that's just maths," she noted.
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