Michael Douglas, the iconic actor known for his roles in films like Wall Street, Fatal Attraction, and Basic Instinct, has had a fascinating personal life alongside his successful Hollywood career.
Currently married to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, this is Douglas’ second marriage, following his first to film producer Diandra Luker.
Douglas met his second wife, Zeta-Jones, through his Hollywood connections. In an interview, he recalled their first meeting at the Deauville Film Festival in 1998.
“At our first meeting, I told Catherine that I was going to be the father of her children,” Douglas shared, per The Talks. When asked if this was a bold pickup line or something more sincere, he admitted: “At that point, I didn’t know. We had cocktails that evening, and obviously, it took me a few drinks to tell her that.”
As fate would have it, Douglas’ prediction came true. He and Zeta-Jones married in November 2000 and welcomed two children, Dylan and Carys Douglas.
Reflecting on fatherhood in his 70s during an April 2024 interview, the now 79-year-old actor humorously recounted a moment at his children’s university. “This is not grandfather’s day, this is parents’ day. I say, ‘I am a parent!’ That was a rough one,” Douglas quipped in an interview with The Telegraph, sharing how age sometimes confuses others.
Douglas admitted that being a father later in life with Catherine has been different from his earlier experience. Raising Dylan, 23, and Carys, 20, has been a rewarding journey, which he describes as a “good ride.” Their marriage, marked by a significant age gap of 25 years, has stood the test of time despite the challenges that life has thrown at them.
Both Michael and Catherine have faced serious health issues — Douglas was diagnosed with throat cancer, and Zeta-Jones battles bipolar II disorder.
In 2013, the stress from these health challenges led to a temporary separation. However, the couple decided to reconcile, with Catherine reportedly feeling “on top of the world” after they chose to work on their marriage. Friends shared that Douglas moved back into their New York home, and the couple has been together for 25 years.
Before Zeta-Jones, Douglas was married to Diandra Luker for over two decades. Their whirlwind romance began when she was a 19-year-old student at Georgetown, and he proposed after just two weeks of dating.
They married shortly after and welcomed their son, Cameron Douglas, the following year.
“Both are very beautiful but I think his 1st wife was more naturally attractive!” wrote one reader after seeing images of Luker and Douglas.
Another observed: “1st wife is very beautiful and natural, the second wife is beautiful but enchanted make-up wise…”
A further user commented: “The first wife is prettier than Catherine Zeta-Jones.”
Sadly, Luker and Douglas’ marriage faced difficulties, with Diandra struggling to adapt to the Hollywood lifestyle. She once described feeling “fairly lost in that world — the world of hype and endless make-believe,” via Harper’s Bazaar.
Their marriage ultimately faltered after 23 years, and Douglas later expressed regret for not being more present for their son, Cameron, who battled heroin addiction and became involved in methamphetamine dealing.
Reflecting on his past mistakes, Douglas said: “I was just overwhelmed and overloaded by my work. And family was really taking third place,” per The Telegraph. He now takes responsibility for his failings as a father during that time.
Despite the end of their marriage, Diandra has said she “loved Michael very much” and believes that love never truly disappears.
What do you think of Michael Douglas’ first wife? Let us know your thoughts!
