Michael Douglas Reveals ‘Incredibly Difficult’ Home Life With Catherine Zeta-Jones as Their $9 Million Mansion Lingers on the Market

Michael Douglas has offered a candid glimpse into a turbulent period in his home life with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, revealing how an “incredibly difficult” separation affected their family—more than a decade before the couple began trying to offload their sprawling New York estate.

Douglas, 82, reflected on the highs and lows of his 25-year marriage to Zeta-Jones, 57, in his new memoir, “One Helluva Ride,” revealing intimate details about the couple’s decision to temporarily separate in 2013.

The Hollywood stars, who tied the knot in November 2000, share two children: son Dylan, 26, and daughter Carys, 23.

According to Douglas, he and his wife had been married for more than a decade when a number of challenges arose at the same time, ultimately leading them to reevaluate their relationship.

After returning home from a vacation in 2013, Douglas recalled that he and Zeta-Jones had a serious conversation about their marriage and decided that spending some time apart was the best course of action.

Despite their decision to separate, Douglas stressed that there was still a great deal of love between them.

“We still loved each other immensely, but we needed to make sure that being married was the right thing for all of us. The entire ordeal was incredibly difficult,” he wrote.

The “Wall Street” star explained that he and Zeta-Jones were also conscious of the effect the separation could have on Dylan and Carys, and worked to reassure their children that they were not responsible for what was happening between their parents.

Douglas ultimately moved out of the family home and rented another property nearby, allowing him to remain close to their children while he and Zeta-Jones took some space from each other.

He revealed that he remained in regular contact with his wife during their time apart, although they deliberately avoided speaking every day.

The actor admitted that the separation was challenging for their children, but praised Dylan and Carys for the way they handled the upheaval.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding their marriage at the time, Douglas said he remained hopeful that he and Zeta-Jones would eventually find their way back to each other.

As they continued crossing paths while caring for their children and attending school events and activities, the pair began spending more time together and realized how much they had missed each other.

By 2014, they had reconciled. Douglas now says the difficult chapter ultimately strengthened their relationship, and the couple recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

“Today, our marriage is stronger than ever,” he wrote. They still enjoy being together and doing everything from playing golf and walking on the beach to simply spending the day at home talking.

The revelations offer new insight into the couple’s family life as they continue attempting to part ways with one of the properties that once served as a backdrop for their family.

Their historical Irvington, NY, estate, known as Longmeadow, is currently listed for $9.75 million. The couple initially put the Hudson River property up for sale in June 2024 with a $12 million price tag—less than five years after purchasing it for $4.5 million.

The listing was removed in April 2025 before returning one month later with its asking price reduced to $10 million. The home was once again taken off the market, before returning for a third attempt in March 2026, this time with an asking price of $9.75 million—a $2.25 million reduction from its original price.

Built in 1929, the sprawling 11,653-square-foot estate offers eight bedrooms and more than 10 bathrooms, according to its current listing.

Sitting on nearly 12 acres, the property boasts sweeping Hudson River views and approximately 130 feet of river frontage.

The grand residence spans four levels and features a 30-foot gallery, formal living and dining spaces, a two-story paneled library, a home gym, and an indoor pool.

There is also a 100-foot west-facing terrace overlooking the river, guest quarters, and garage parking for four vehicles.

Despite its secluded setting, the estate sits about 25 miles from Midtown Manhattan and is within walking distance of the village of Irvington.

Zeta-Jones previously explained that the couple’s decision to sell came as their family entered a new stage of life.

When Longmeadow first hit the market in 2024, she said that they had enjoyed many happy family moments at the estate, but their needs had changed after Dylan and Carys moved out.

With both children having “left the nest,” the actress said it felt like the appropriate time to sell the sprawling property.

She also revealed that she and Douglas intended to spend more of their time in Bermuda and Europe.
Longmeadow is just one piece of the couple’s extensive real estate portfolio. They have also maintained residences in Manhattan, Canada, and Spain.

While the Irvington estate has yet to find a buyer, Douglas made clear that the relationship at the center of the home has emerged from its most difficult period intact.

Reflecting on his marriage today, he described Zeta-Jones not only as his wife, but also as his best friend and life partner—more than a decade after the couple’s temporary separation left the future of their family uncertain.