Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones' 'brutal' dating snub before 20-year marriage

Hollywood legends Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have captivated audiences for years, earning multiple Oscars for their storied careers.

The power couple, celebrating over two decades of marriage, are staunchly admired within Hollywood circles for their enduring romance.

It was the film 'The Mask of Zorro' that brought Michael to fall for Catherine's charm, prompting him to task his publicist with arranging an encounter.

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On 'The Jonathan Ross Show,' Michael reminisced about their first meeting saying, "I met her in the bar and was a total gentleman," before boldly telling her, "You know, I'm going to be the father of your children."

But Catherine, not so easily swept off her feet, reportedly told him after his remark, "I've heard a lot about you, and I've seen a lot about you, and I think it's time that I say goodnight."

Despite a rocky start, as shared by Michael Douglas on his Instagram, the 'Fatal Attraction' heartthrob eventually won Catherine's heart.

Their wedding ceremony took place at the illustrious New York Plaza Hotel in November 2000, amidst an array of A-listers including Goldie Hawn, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Whoopi Goldberg, and Anthony Hopkins.

In the same year, they embraced parenthood with the arrival of their son Dylan Michael in August.

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In 2003, Catherine welcomed her second and last child, daughter Carys Zeta, now 21. The 'Entrapment' actress revealed to WSJ Magazine that the secret to their enduring marriage is "constant love and respect" and emphasized that keeping a "sense of humour" is crucial for a lasting union.

Yet, the couple's journey wasn't without its challenges; they took a brief hiatus from 2013 to 2014 to "evaluate and work on their marriage."

In a candid chat with Event Magazine in 2015, Michael reflected on their temporary separation as a "little bump in the road."

He elaborated: "The problem in this business is that everything is so public. I love Catherine as much, more than I ever have. And hopefully the feeling's mutual."

Michael stressed the importance of mutual effort in overcoming marital obstacles: "We worked things out – if both people want to work something out and make it better, you can do it," he said. "You can't do it if it's just one person."

Nowadays, with their children grown, Michael and Catherine enjoy their empty nest and frequently share glimpses of their life together on Instagram.

Earlier this year, Michael posted an endearing family selfie in honor of his wife for Mother's Day.

He captioned the heartfelt post: "Happy #MothersDay to you all, and especially you darling! You deserve it and we all love you so much @catherinezetajones."

For Valentine's Day, the star of 'Wednesday' celebrated her love with a compilation of photos showing the couple sharing kisses.