Micheal Douglas on Marriage, Fatherhood And His One Regret

He has won Oscars and is a notable actor, however, Micheal Douglas is also known for his booze addiction, womanizing and more. He battled throat cancer and won, and has even seen his son jailed for drug offences. Taking a look, at 68, over his life, he has only one surprising regret – he wishes he had divorced first wife, Diandra, sooner.

He said to the Mirror:

“I know I’m going to get into trouble here. I have nothing against her and in fact I’m very fond of my first wife. But we should have ended that marriage eight or 10 years earlier.

“It took me too long to realise that if you go to a marriage counsellor to resolve problems, it’s in his interest to keep the marriage going.

“Because if I end the marriage he’s got no business. I think Diandra would probably say the same thing. That’s the only clear regret that I have.”

The couple married in March 1977, separated in 1995 and finally divorced in 2000.

After they separated, Michael’s adventures with women and alcohol became the talk of Hollywood.

He went to rehab in the 1990s for what he said was an alcohol problem, but was widely reported to be sex addiction.

It seemed years of partying may have taken their toll when he was told he had stage-four throat cancer in August 2010, a diagnosis that is usually terminal.

But against the odds, determined Michael defied doctors to pull through and has been clear for two years.

Michael still has check-ups every six months to ensure the cancer has not returned and wife Catherine, 43, has been by his side throughout his illness.

They got hitched in November 2000, signing a prenup after Michael’s divorce from Diandra cost him a rumoured £30million.

Catherine, also has her own battle – she recently had treatment in rehab for bipolar disorder.

And after all they have been through, Michael admits that true love takes work.

He says: “Love is an extraordinary feeling that comes from the bottom of your soul, but has to be nurtured, you know.

“The thing I’ve learned about getting older is you can’t take love for granted. You protect it, nurture it and it grows and after one’s initial, physical emotional aspects, it becomes deeper.”

Michael, who has children Dylan, 12, and Carys, 10, with Catherine, as well as jailed son Cameron with Diandra, continues: “Happiness is moments.

"I don’t think anyone walks around happy all the time unless they’re completely ­medicated. Happiness is cherishing good moments and trying to link together more good moments than bad.”

Now, Michael’s womanising days are over and he spends as much time with Catherine and his children as he can.

He says: “I love kids and I love having had this second chance to have a family.

“There’s something about the innocence and unequivocal love that children have.

"You’re just their dad and there’s a complete love without them having any judgment, so I enjoy that a lot.”

And even though he is back at work, filming And So It Goes with Diane Keaton, the A-list actor sounds more like the average dad than a Hollywood superstar.

He says: “I do whatever I can – there are a tremendous number of school activities!

"My daughter is a horseback rider so I try to watch her ride, we take holidays together.

“I got Dylan his diving permit so he and I dive together. He likes surfing, so we try to go and find places on holiday where there is good surf.

“They’re just at a great age. It’s a lovely time but I know how fast it goes.

"Soon, they’re not going to want to see dad, they’ll want to see their friends.”

Just as Michael followed his dad Kirk Douglas into acting, he believes his youngest children will follow him into showbiz – Carys as a singer, pianist and dancer and Dylan as an actor. Michael has already arranged auditions for them.