Michael Douglas (82) Reveals Catherine Zeta-Jones’ (57) Bold Ultimatum That Ended His 5 Other Romances

Michael Douglas’ new memoir, ‘One Helluva Ride’, has been a goldmine of Hollywood revelations since its release on October 6. The 82-year-old actor holds little back, covering everything from his famous father, Kirk Douglas, to past romances and the ups and downs of his marriage.

Among the most talked-about stories are those about how his relationship with Catherine Zeta-Jones began. The pair met at the Deauville Film Festival in France in August 1998, after Douglas had already been captivated by her performance in ‘The Mask of Zorro’.

But according to an excerpt published by People, winning over the Welsh actress came with a firm condition. Early in their romance, Zeta-Jones made it clear she would only be with him if he committed to her exclusively.

At the time, Douglas was newly separated from his first wife, Diandra Douglas. In the memoir, he recalls that Zeta-Jones told him she understood he was a single man coming out of a long marriage, but that she would only be in a monogamous relationship.

She reportedly gave him a simple choice. He could continue seeing other people, or end those relationships and be with her. Douglas’ answer has become the most quoted moment from the excerpt. He writes that he asked her to wait because he had 5 quick calls to make, which left Zeta-Jones understandably surprised at the number.

Douglas explains that after his marriage ended, he had been seeing 5 other women who lived in different cities. He says they all knew he was recently separated and going through a divorce. According to the actor, none of the women pushed for anything more serious or asked whether he was seeing anyone else.

He adds that he assumed they were also seeing other people, and claims they all took the news well when he ended things. The ultimatum came after Douglas had spent months pursuing Zeta-Jones. Reports note that he courted her for around 9 months, with the pair officially dating from March 1999.

Zeta-Jones reportedly wanted to move slowly, not wanting to end up as just another ex-girlfriend. Her clear boundaries appear to have paid off. Douglas proposed to Zeta-Jones on New Year’s Eve 1999 at his home in Aspen, Colorado. The couple, who share a September 25 birthday, married in 2000.

In the memoir, Douglas writes that from the moment he met Zeta-Jones and they formed a family, he became a new man. He also acknowledges that the pressures of his life sometimes took a toll on her over the years.

The 5-calls story is just one of many revelations in ‘One Helluva Ride’. The book also confirms a romance with Kathleen Turner that began on the 1984 set of ‘Romancing the Stone’ in Mexico.

Douglas has also shared a lighthearted story about Kobe Bryant frequently stopping by Zeta-Jones’ Pacific Palisades home before the couple was together. Meanwhile, Zeta-Jones has joked that she has no intention of reading the book herself.

The story has sparked plenty of conversation online, with many praising Zeta-Jones for knowing exactly what she wanted. Others found Douglas’ candid recollection both surprising and amusing.

More than 25 years later, the couple remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring pairings. For many fans, the ultimatum is now seen as the moment that set their love story in motion.

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