Hollywood icons Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas have entered a poignant new chapter: becoming empty nesters. The couple’s youngest child, Carys, recently graduated from Brown University, marking the end of an era and the beginning of another. On May 25, 2025, Carys Douglas, 22, donned her cap and gown to receive her Brown University Film and International Relations degree.
Proud parents Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas were present to celebrate this significant achievement. The couple shared a heartfelt photo on social media, capturing a moment when they each kissed their daughter on the cheek. Zeta-Jones captioned the image, “We are both such proud parents right now!! It’s only just begun!!
The graduation festivities included emotional moments with classmates and a celebratory cake, as shared on Zeta-Jones’s Instagram Stories. Carys’s accomplishment follows in the footsteps of her older brother, Dylan, who graduated from Brown in 2022 with a degree in political science.
Embracing the Empty Nest
With both children now pursuing their own paths, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas are adjusting to life without their daily parental responsibilities. Michael Douglas, 80, has expressed contentment with this new phase, stating he is enjoying a slower pace and appreciating life more. He humorously recounted being mistaken for his children’s grandfather during a Parents’ Day event at Brown, highlighting the unique experiences of parenting later in life.
The couple’s nearly 25-year marriage has seen its share of challenges and triumphs. They briefly separated in 2013 but reconciled the following year, emerging stronger than ever. Their enduring bond is evident as they navigate this new chapter together.
Michael Douglas: Looking Ahead
As they embrace their empty nest, Zeta-Jones and Douglas are making lifestyle adjustments. They have listed their 12-acre estate in Irvington, New York, for $12 million, citing their desire to spend more time in Bermuda and Europe. Zeta-Jones noted, “Now that both our son and daughter have left the nest, it seems like the right time to sell.
Professionally, Michael Douglas is enjoying a hiatus from acting, focusing on family life and personal interests. Meanwhile, Zeta-Jones continues her acting career, recently signing on to star in the upcoming Prime Video series “Kill Jackie.” The couple’s son, Dylan, is also making his acting debut in the psychological thriller “I Will Come to You,” continuing the family’s artistic legacy.
A New Chapter Begins
The transition to an empty nest is a significant milestone for any family. For Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, it represents both a bittersweet farewell to daily parenting and an exciting opportunity to focus on their relationship and individual pursuits. Their journey serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that love and partnership can thrive through all stages of life.
Rather than viewing this period as an end, Zeta-Jones and Douglas are treating it as a beginning, a time to rediscover themselves both as individuals and as a couple. “It’s bittersweet,” Zeta-Jones shared in a recent interview. “You spend so many years building your life around your children, and then suddenly, the house is quieter. But it’s also peaceful. We’re reconnecting in ways that we hadn’t realized we needed.”
Both actors have openly expressed their excitement for what lies ahead. They plan to travel more extensively, enjoy their properties abroad, and dedicate time to passions that had taken a back seat to parenthood. Douglas has even hinted at exploring more behind-the-scenes roles in film production, while Zeta-Jones is considering producing lifestyle content and diving deeper into philanthropy.
As they adjust to the rhythm of an empty home, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas are proving that this next chapter is not about letting go, but about evolving. Their story speaks to so many parents facing similar transitions, offering a message of hope, renewal, and lasting love.
