Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas are taking time out from their marriage, a representative for the couple confirms.
“Catherine and Michael are taking some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage,” the rep said.
It’s been nearly five months since the two have been spotted together. They’ve since been seen taking separate holidays and walking the red carpet alone.
Michael, 68, and Catherine, 43, have been married almost 13 years – they were wed in November 2000 – and have two children, Dylan, 13, and Carys, 10.
In recent years, they have seen each other through significant trials, including Michael’s throat cancer and Catherine’s bipolar disorder.
“These things are sent to try us, and we do sit back and go, ‘Wow, we got through that,’ and, ‘Oof, we dodged that huge bullet.’,” Catherine told Britain’s Stylist magazine last year of those difficult times. “I guess it does make you stronger because you have some ammunition to be prepared for something else that’s going to side swipe you, because it really did side swipe us.”
She added an optimistic note, saying: “It’s now onwards and upwards. We’re onto the next chapter of our lives. As long as we have health and happiness, nothing else matters.”
And perhaps this separation is just another obstacle for the pair in a string of recent setbacks. Michael, too, has expressed hope and determination for a bright future together.
“True love takes work. Love is an extraordinary feeling that comes from the bottom of your soul, but has to be nurtured, you know,” he told Daily Mirror last month. “The thing I’ve learned about getting older is you can’t take love for granted.”
Related video: In happier times… Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas coordinate outfits!
