Michael Douglas Gives Advice After Reconciling With Catherine Zeta-Jones, 'Marriage Needs Nurture'
Michael Douglas is imparting sage advice on making marriages work just as the actor reunited with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones this week.
The Oscar-winning actor had been married to Zeta-Jones 13 years when they announced their separation last year. However, today, the actors have reconciled, and were even photographed with their arms around each other on the red carpet last week. Following the break, Douglas reflected on his relationship while speaking to People.com.
"A lot of it has to do with age," the 69-year-old actor began. "When you've accomplished a certain amount in your career, you're not so focused on your ambitions. It makes you appreciate – and hopefully you do that sooner rather than later – the value of your partner."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Furthermore, Douglas shed light on the work involved in marriage, comparing it to nurturing a flower.
"Like a lovely orchid, or anything else that's nurtured, marriage prospers and grows, but if it's ignored, it withers," he explained.
Douglas' advice arrives just days after the actor hinted at where he went wrong in his marriage to Zeta-Jones.
"When you are younger you care about what other people think, and you take the person closest to you for granted," he told The Sun. "You waste a lot of energy on strangers to make a good impression. When you're older you focus that energy on the people closest to you, on your family. And you're courteous."
In the months that followed the announcement of their separation, both actors continued wearing their wedding bands while Douglas was believed to be actively trying to woo his wife back. Fortunately, his hard work paid off. Douglas and Zeta-Jones are happily reunited today, and are once again living together with their children Carys and Dylan.
"First you have to admit that you made a mistake, then dealing with it is easy," Douglas added, according to The Sun. "Of course it's important to make mistakes, as long as you grow from them."
