Michael Douglas has opened up about his mended relationship with his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones. The Behind the Candelabra star, who briefly split from his actress love last summer but reconciled in November 2013, has given his renewed views about marriage. "A lot of it has to do with age," Michael, 69, told People. "When you've accomplished a certain amount in your career, you're not so focused on your ambitions."
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas
"It makes you appreciate – and hopefully you do that sooner rather than later – the value of your partner," he added. "Like a lovely orchid, or anything else that's nurtured, marriage prospers and grows, but if it's ignored, it withers." Michael, who has previously been very vocal about his temporary break-up, also took the view that the couple's children – son Dylan, 13, and daughter Carys, 11 – shouldn't be kept in the dark. "There's been a whole school of thought about things you should not tell children," said Michael. "If there's a problem in a relationship, [people say], 'Let's not let the kids know.' Kids know. They know everything. I would err on the side of pretty much sharing everything. They can digest it, you know? It's life."
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones reconciled last November
Since their reconciliation earlier this year, Michael and Catherine, 44, have made various high-profile appearances together, with their first taking place in New York City in April. The married couple of 14 years couldn't hide their affection for each other as they held hands on the red carpet. "They are together. I knew they would work it out," Michael's mother Diana Dill told HELLO! magazine. "They're both gentle people, not hysterical. They're always very affectionate and easy with each other." Michael and Catherine were most recently pictured at Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre, where they toasted Jane Fonda for her lifetime achievement award at a special ceremony. Michael, who received the honour himself in 2009, presented Jane with the accolade and called the Hollywood veteran "one of a kind".