Michael Douglas says Catherine Zeta-Jones had no 'veto power' over his bombshell memoir

Michael Douglas has revealed that his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, did not have the power to veto any stories included in his memoir, One Helluva Ride, although he insisted he would not have written anything he knew she would dislike.

Speaking during an appearance on CNN's Coming Up, the 82-year-old actor discussed the book, which was released earlier in October, and explained why he did not give his wife editorial control over its contents.

“She would not have veto power, but I would not put anything in the book that she would not like,” Douglas said.

The actor also reflected on his life before meeting Zeta-Jones, describing it as “B.C. — Before Catherine”. The couple married in 2000 and share two children, Dylan and Carys.

Douglas specifically mentioned his affair with Romancing the Stone co-star Kathleen Turner, which took place while they were working on the 1984 film. At the time, Zeta-Jones was seven years old.

“When I was making Romancing the Stone and carrying on with Kathleen Turner, Catherine was 7 years old,” he said. “People have a life, and I'm very proud of the chapter on Catherine and speaking about my love for her. I think she understands me by now after 26 years.”

Douglas also spoke about the couple's age difference, joking that people initially doubted their relationship would last. He said they were both at a more experienced stage in their lives and careers when they got together.

The actor added that he has reached a point where he has largely stepped away from working and is more focused on his family, friends and memories. He said writing the memoir helped him recover stories and experiences he had forgotten over the years.

Zeta-Jones previously joked that she had no intention of reading her husband's memoir when she was tired at night. Speaking on the Today show on October 8, she said: “As much as I love my husband, when I'm tired at night, I have no intention of reading about him. But everyone else should.”

Douglas later responded to her comment during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, agreeing with the host that it was probably for the best that she had not read the book.

In the memoir, Douglas revisits his personal life and decades-long Hollywood career, including past relationships and his eventual marriage to Zeta-Jones.