Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have confirmed their separation after 13 years of marriage.
And it has been claimed that the stresses they have faced eventually took their toll on the couple’s relationship.
'Catherine
and Michael are taking some time apart to evaluate and work on their
marriage. There will be no further comment,' a representative told
MailOnline on behalf of the pair.
'Taking time apart': Michael Douglas and
Catherine Zeta-Jones, pictured at the Oscars in February, have separated
after 13 years of marriage
The stars’ marriage has been
plagued by difficulties over the years, including Catherine’s bipolar
disorder, Michael’s cancer and his candid comments about what caused it.
In
August 2010 Michael revealed he was suffering from stage IV throat
cancer, and after undergoing treatment the actor stated the following
January that the tumour was gone.
At the time, he attributed the illness to stress, his previous alcohol abuse and years of heavy smoking.
But
in June this year he made comments saying the HPV virus - which is
contracted through oral sex - could have been the cause of his cancer.
Tough times: The couple's struggles, including
Michael's cancer battle, have apparently taken their toll. Michael in
pictured here in April 2011 after recovering from throat cancer
Embarrassed: Catherine was reportedly humiliated
after Michael claimed on Graham Norton in April that the HPV virus,
which is contracted from oral sex, caused his cancer and didn't clarify
it was before he met her
Douglas backtracked on his remarks,
but Catherine was ‘embarrassed’ because he didn't clarify he was exposed
to the virus before meeting her, according to People magazine.
It has been claimed that this was the tipping point and a source told the publication: ‘Things went downhill from there.’
Michael
revealed in a separate interview when Catherine was coming home from
receiving treatment, which annoyed the Chicago actress as she wanted
this to remain private, the magazine reports.
But
the couple stuck by each other through their respective illnesses and
Michael gushed at the time of his cancer that his better half had been
‘wonderfully supportive’.
Facing her demons: Catherine has received treatment twice for bipolar disorder and spoke about her ordeal on Ellen in January
Miles apart: The couple were last seen publicly
on April 22 and Michael is currently in France while Catherine remains
in New York
Catherine was first treated for
bipolar II disorder in 2011. In April of this year she underwent
another stint in rehab in her continued effort to manage the illness.
In 2011, Michael said: ‘I’m very proud of Catherine for doing something positive about her situation.’
Michael,
68, and Catherine, 43, have two children together: son Dylan, 13, and
10-year-old daughter Carys, and family life has been rather a bumpy
ride.
Michael also has
34-year-old son Cameron from his previous marriage to Diandra Luker, who
currently serving time in jail for possessing heroin and dealing large
amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine.
He was sentenced in 2010 and a year and a half later, found guilty of possessing drugs in prison, so had his sentence extended.
Brave face: Michael was seen heading out for a solo dinner while on holiday in Nice on Tuesday
Loyal supporters: Michael took his mind off the separation by greeting fellow diners at La Petite Maison
Cameron lost an appeal in April 2013 to have his sentence reduced and will remain behind bars until early 2018.
While Michael blamed himself for ‘being a bad father’, he admitted jail is the best place for his son.
‘Look,
my son was a drug dealer, and he’s been trying to kill himself for a
while,’ the star admitted on The Today Show in 2010 after the
sentencing. ‘I can’t condone his behaviour.
‘I
think the court recognised his drug addiction as well as the crime that
he committed and it's an adequate, I think, amount of time for anybody
to spend in jail. And the best part of it is, he will be able to start
his life afresh.’
The family: Michael and Catherine have two
children together, son Dylan, now 13, and Carys, 10, who they are
pictured with at Buckingham Palace in February 2011
He
added: 'My son has not been sober for this length of time since he was
13 years old. He was going to be dead or somebody was gonna kill him. I
think he has a chance to start a new life, and he knows that.'
The Behind The Candelabra star has also not had the easiest time with son Dylan, who has learning difficulties.
‘My
son deals with dyslexia to a degree — it runs in the family and my
brother has it,’ Michael revealed in 2010. ‘He goes to a special
school.’
And the star admitted at the time that he was relishing focusing on his duties as a father.
‘I’m
not driven like I once was — these days I am consumed with being a
father and with my responsibilities as a husband,’ he added to The
Guardian. ‘I never anticipated starting a family at my age. I’m
genuinely happy to let Catherine work, while I stay at home with the
children. I cherish this time.’
Incarcerated: Michael's eldest son Cameron from a previous marriage will be behind bars until early 2018
Blaming himself: Michael believes he was 'a bad
father' to Cameron, who is serving time for drug possession and dealing.
Here the pair are seen in April 2009, one year before he was sentenced
Michael, the son of screen
legend Kirk Douglas, was understandably drawn to Catherine after
watching her in the 1998 film The Mask Of Zorro.
Two
years later the couple married in a lavish ceremony at the Plaza Hotel
in Manhattan, which was attended by the likes of Jack Nicholson and
Martha Stewart.
The
Hollywood power couple are currently thousands of miles apart, with
Michael holidaying in France solo while Catherine remains in New York.
According
to People neither of the two, who were last seen publicly together on
April 22, are making moves towards a divorce or legal separation at this
stage.
Young love: The couple are seen here in March 2000, eight months before their lavish New York wedding
