Until recently they have lived a gilded life. One full of wealth, jet set travel, luxurious mansions and the adulation of their fans around the world. But Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have shown that their relationship can stand the test of tough times too, making a brave public appearance halfway through his course of chemotherapy for a throat tumour. Promoting Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, the follow-up to his 1987 movie about financiers' greed, the couple looked more united and sure of their love than ever. The New York screening follows an interview on David Letterman's chat show, in which he detailed how he's coping with the treatment doctors have ordered.
Catherine's pride and concern for her husband of ten years was evident, as dressed up to the nines in a sweeping floor-length dress and ruby earrings, she supported him as he faced the cameras, an affectionate hand around his neck. The Welsh beauty – who has two children with Michael – has previously described how seeing him slow down had been the most difficult part of dealing with his illness. "The hardest part is seeing his fatigue, because Michael is never tired," she said.
In another interview, she emphasised his strength. "Michael has always seen our family through life's challenges with compassion and humour. "This is no exception. Together we will get through this, and we will be better for it - because of him. He is our rock." At Monday's premiere Oscar winner Michael gave no interviews. Instead his young co-star Shia La Beouf, spoke to the press, describing him as 'wolf, a strong man' He noted that the veteran actor showed no signs of weakness during filming – despite the annus horribilis that he's been having, with the jailing of his older son Cameron earlier this year.