Michael Douglas Discusses Marriage and Memoir With Jimmy Kimmel

Michael Douglas has discussed the personal history behind his new memoir, his wife's decision not to read it, and a difficult period in their marriage that ended in reconciliation. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday, the actor explained why Catherine Zeta-Jones might prefer to avoid accounts of his earlier relationships, while his memoir also revisits their temporary separation in 2013.

Douglas and Zeta-Jones married in November 2000 and share two children, Dylan, 26, and Carys, 23. Their relationship has since reached its 25th wedding anniversary, following a separation that began more than a decade ago.

During the television interview, host Jimmy Kimmel asked Douglas whether he agreed with Zeta-Jones' decision to skip reading his memoir, One Helluva Ride, which was published earlier this week.

"Oh, yeah," Douglas replied, drawing laughter from the audience.

Douglas explained that their age difference was a factor in understanding why his wife might not want to revisit his romantic history. He is 25 years older than Zeta-Jones, and the book describes relationships that took place before they met.

"Look, I mean, we got a 25-year age difference," Douglas said.

One account in the memoir concerns his relationship with Kathleen Turner while they worked together on the 1984 film Romancing the Stone. Douglas noted that Zeta-Jones was seven years old when that relationship took place.

"I think she's had to accept the fact that having this kind of age difference, you may have had a life before you ever seen her for the first time," Douglas said.

Kimmel also joked that Zeta-Jones had believed Douglas had no romantic experience before their marriage.

"Correct," Douglas responded.

He then reacted to the host's remark with another question.

"She told you that?" Douglas asked.

The memoir also revisits Douglas' first marriage to Diandra Luker, which lasted from 1977 to 2000. Douglas has said he sought permission from several women before including their shared histories in the book.

Turner, whose relationship with Douglas had remained private for four decades, agreed to the disclosure after he approached her about including their story.

"I asked her, I said, 'Look, I think it's, you know, time,'" Douglas recalled.

Turner expressed support for the book in comments to PEOPLE.

"I love Michael and I look forward to enjoying the book," Turner said.

Beyond his earlier relationships, Douglas also recounted the marital difficulties he and Zeta-Jones faced in 2013. According to his memoir, the couple decided to spend time apart after a serious conversation following a vacation, despite continuing to love each other.

"We still loved each other immensely, but we needed to make sure that being married was the right thing for all of us. The entire ordeal was incredibly difficult," Douglas wrote.

Douglas moved into a nearby rental property to remain close to his children. He and Zeta-Jones maintained contact without speaking every day, while reassuring Dylan and Carys that the separation was not their fault.

The couple gradually reconnected through family responsibilities, school events, and their children's activities. They reconciled in 2014, and Douglas later described their relationship as stronger following the experience.

"Today, our marriage is stronger than ever," Douglas wrote.

Zeta-Jones has also explained the family's changing circumstances through the couple's decision to sell Longmeadow, their estate in Irvington, New York. According to Realtor.com, the property returned to the market in March 2026 with an asking price of $9.75 million, down from its original $12 million listing in June 2024.

The 1929 estate covers 11,653 square feet and sits on nearly 12 acres overlooking the Hudson River. Its features include eight bedrooms, an indoor pool, a two-story library, and a terrace overlooking the water.

Zeta-Jones previously said the sale made sense after Dylan and Carys moved out, adding that she and Douglas planned to spend more time in Bermuda and Europe. The property remains part of their wider real estate holdings, which have included residences in Manhattan, Canada, and Spain.