Catherine Zeta-Jones biography, age, net worth, husband, ethnicity, children 2025

Catherine Zeta-Jones' Biography

Catherine Zeta-Jones conquered the world with her beauty and talent, but luck was just the beginning. Her overwhelming success didn't happen by accident. The actress - famous for her roles as Velma in Chicago and Elena in The Mask of Zorro - built her career with discipline and laser focus. Net worth: $150 million.

Early Years and Family

Catherine was born in the coastal Welsh town of Swansea. The future star was born on October 25, 1969, to a small bakery owner. Catherine was the third child of David (Welsh) and Patricia (Irish). Unlike her two older brothers, she showed her creative side early - singing and dancing in front of the mirror, pretending to be an actress.

Catherine got her first name in honor of her paternal grandmother, and her second name in honor of her Irish grandmother. According to family legend, Zeta was the name of the ship that brought Catherine's great-grandmother to Wales. Later, this second name would become part of her stage name, and the whole world would learn its origins. At age four, Catherine contracted a viral disease that caused breathing complications and nearly killed her. Fortunately, she underwent a timely trachea operation, which left a small scar.

The Jones family led a frugal life in a small house on the edge of Swansea. Patricia made clothes for their equally poor neighbors to help her husband, who worked dawn to dusk at the bakery as both baker and shop assistant. In the early '80s, Catherine's parents struck gold, winning £100,000 in a national bingo competition - enough to move to a nicer part of Swansea and open a confectionery.

David and Patricia supported their beloved daughter completely, letting her attend dance classes and paying for the entire course upfront. Catherine was just seven and already dreaming of the stage. The girl practiced dancing six hours a day and performed at the school theater. She planned her rehearsals a week in advance and stuck to her schedule, always hitting every goal she set.

When Catherine turned fourteen, The Pajama Game production crew arrived in Swansea. The future actress auditioned and landed the role. After filming wrapped in Wales, she was invited to London.

The Career Begins

With her striking olive skin and amber-hazel eyes, Catherine quickly became popular in the capital. By the end of the '80s, she'd landed roles in several projects, including 42nd Street and Aspel & Company.

Catherine made her big-screen debut in 1990 when she played Scheherazade in the French-German comedy Les 1001 nuits. Philippe de Broca's film wasn't well-received, but it put the spotlight on the young actress and landed her the role of Mariette in the British 1991 TV series The Darling Buds of May.

The actress's big-screen debut in the role of Scheherazade

Over the next four years, Catherine—now a rising star in Britain—appeared in several films. Her most notable projects included the comedy Blue Juice, where she starred alongside Steven Mackintosh and Ewan McGregor, and the Victorian drama The Return of the Native, playing the captivating Eustacia. Clive Owen and Ray Stevenson played Eustacia's admirers.

First Hollywood Roles

Catherine set her sights on Hollywood in 1995, accepting an offer to play Catherine the Great in the historical drama of the same name. Despite high expectations, the film flopped, and the young British actress didn't find herself drowning in Hollywood offers.

Catherine started conquering Hollywood by accepting the role of Catherine the Great

According to Zoomboola.com, in 1996 Catherine landed a role in the action film The Phantom, playing Sala, a stunning pirate leader opposite Billy Zane. Later in 1996, Catherine starred in the TV mini-series Titanic. In the series, she plays a lady traveling first class on the Titanic where she meets her former lover, played by Peter Gallagher. The mini-series was overshadowed by the massive hype surrounding James Cameron's Titanic, which hurt its chances at finding an audience.

Catherine Zeta-Jones in the Titanic mini-series

The breakthrough in her career came in 1998. Martin Campbell was searching for an actress to play Elena in his swashbuckling adventure The Mask of Zorro. Antonio Banderas and Sir Anthony Hopkins had already been cast for lead male roles - the actors were busy taking fencing lessons - but Campbell couldn't find an actress to play Elena.

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Antonio Banderas

Campbell initially considered Swedish actress Izabella Scorupco but had second thoughts. Spanish actress Penelope Cruz and even Colombian singer Shakira auditioned, but Campbell wasn't satisfied with what he saw. It was a lucky break for Catherine: Steven Spielberg, a friend of Campbell, accidentally saw Catherine in the Titanic mini-series and suggested his friend invite her for an audition.

Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones' dance

The role of Elena became a landmark in the actress's career and launched her rise to stardom in Hollywood.

Best Roles

Before Chicago became a massive hit in 2002, Catherine starred in the supernatural thriller The Haunting alongside Liam Neeson, Owen Wilson and Lili Taylor, as well as in Steven Soderbergh's criminal thriller Traffic. In Traffic, she plays the wife of drug lord Carlos Ayala, portrayed by Steven Bauer. Michael Douglas, Dennis Quaid, Benjamin Bratt, and Benicio del Toro also star in the movie.

Her role as the ruthless vaudeville diva Velma in Chicago is considered one of her finest performances. At 33, Catherine won both the Academy Award and BAFTA for her stunning performance in Chicago.

Catherine Zeta-Jones in the musical movie Chicago

In the 2003 comedy Intolerable Cruelty the actress stars alongside George Clooney in the role of a marriage-for-money predator. While critics weren't impressed, audiences embraced the witty romantic comedy.

Catherine had two major releases in 2004. In the heartwarming drama The Terminal, Catherine co-starred with Tom Hanks. In the criminal comedy Ocean's Twelve she joined the stellar team of casino plunderers, played by Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Matt Damon. The film became the season's biggest hit and dominated box office charts worldwide for months.

Ocean's Twelve - Trailer

In 2005 The Legend of Zorro was released, describing the events 10 years after the first movie. Catherine reprised her triumphant 1998 performance. Her pairing with Antonio Banderas is considered one of Hollywood's most captivating screen couples.

The Legend of Zorro (2005) - Trailer

In the following years, the actress took part in the romantic drama No Reservations with Aaron Eckhart as her partner, the thriller Death Defying Acts about the famous Houdini played by Guy Pearce, and the comedy Lay the Favorite, where she co-stars with Bruce Willis and Vince Vaughn.

In the crime political drama Broken City (2012) starring Mark Wahlberg, Catherine plays the mayor's wife opposite Russell Crowe.

The following year, she played Dr. Siebert in the twisty psychological thriller Side Effects. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film also starred Rooney Mara, Jude Law, and Channing Tatum.

Side Effects - Trailer

After playing Russian spy Katja in Red 2 alongside Bruce Willis, Anthony Hopkins, Brian Cox, Helen Mirren, David Thewlis, and John Malkovich, Catherine took a four-year hiatus from acting.

In 2017, Catherine joined the cast of a TV series about the legendary feud between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, played by Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon. Catherine plays a supporting but standout role in the series, which also features Alfred Molina, Kathy Bates, and Stanley Tucci.

That same year, she worked on the biographical drama Cocaine Godmother. In the film, she portrays infamous Colombian drug lord Griselda Blanco, Florida's crime queen of the '80s. The film also stars Juan Pablo Espinoza and Warren Christie. The film premiered in early 2018.

Cocaine Godmother - Trailer

Catherine Zeta-Jones's Personal Life

Catherine's first serious relationship happened while she was still in London with popular TV presenter John Leslie, who proved to be incredibly jealous. She ended their engagement before heading to Los Angeles.

In 1998, Michael Douglas was so charmed by Catherine's performance in The Mask of Zorro that he tried to win her over with a bold joke about wanting to father her children. Catherine wasn't amused, but Douglas persisted, sending gifts and stunning bouquets for six months straight. Eventually, Catherine gave in. Michael had already separated from his wife at the time, though they weren't officially divorced yet. He had to pay $45 million in the divorce settlement.

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas

Catherine and Michael announced their engagement in 1999. She graced every magazine cover with a smile, showing off her $2 million engagement ring. Their son Dylan was born in 2000, and the couple tied the knot shortly after.

Catherine welcomed daughter Carys in 2003, and soon after began showing early signs of bipolar II disorder. She kept her health struggles private for several years. But when Michael was diagnosed with tongue cancer, Catherine poured all her energy into fighting for her husband's life.

Once Michael was declared cancer-free, the stress and exhaustion took their toll—Catherine's bipolar II disorder returned with more severe symptoms. Michael's response shocked everyone—he said he couldn't handle her mood swings and even considered filing for divorce. The couple eventually reconciled after Catherine completed therapy.

Catherine Zeta-Jones Now

In the comedy series Queen America (2018-2019), the actress plays Vicki Ellis, a famous stylist and beauty coach who is able to turn almost every candidate into a beauty pageant winner. But her new protégé Samantha proves so challenging that Vicki must pull out all the stops to transform her into Beauty Queen material.

Catherine Zeta-Jones: latest news and articles

Choose the hottest brunette in Hollywood

14 Sep 2022

Colin Justin Morris

In «Intolerable Cruelty» Catherine Zeta-Jones is such a hot beauty, and how talented she played together with George Clooney!

2021-05-04 19:32:50
Lorraine McGee

I can only say that I am very impressed by this actress :) Such a pleasant appearance.

2021-04-11 20:04:32
Charles Joseph Cook

Even if Catherine Zeta does not play the main role in «Side Effects», how cool the image of a psychiatrist and glasses with a strict style suit her too!

2021-04-10 21:11:10
Deborah Ruiz

Since childhood, I love Catherine Zeta-Jones. But I would never have thought that the actress had mental health problems. It`s okay that everything worked out

2021-03-31 17:51:46
Steven Morris

In «The Mask of Zorro» Catherine showed herself very professionally for me, and it seems that this role was easily given to her.

2021-03-09 21:11:21

Photos: Catherine Zeta-Jones