LOS ANGELES, Aug 5: Hollywood power couple Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas are reportedly going through a difficult phase in their marriage as they approach their 25th wedding anniversary.

Known for their long-lasting relationship and impressive careers, the pair’s marriage is said to have been affected by Douglas’s recent retirement from acting. Insiders reveal that while Zeta-Jones isn’t upset about his decision to step away from the industry, she is struggling with the increased amount of time they now spend together.

“She’s not against him retiring but knows it means they’ll be around each other more, and she values her quiet and personal space,” a source told RadarOnline. “The marriage thrived best when they had some distance, even living separately at times, which Catherine appreciated for her independence.”

The Oscar-winning actress reportedly feels the need for space has grown since their children, Dylan and Carys, moved out of the house. However, Douglas’s retirement means he fills the empty nest with his constant presence, which Zeta-Jones finds challenging.

“She prefers that he go to events alone or travel so she can have some breathing room,” the insider added. “She’s aware of the 25-year age gap and the changes it brings, and now that Michael is retired, she faces new dynamics in their relationship.”

Douglas announced his retirement at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic but hinted at the possibility of returning to acting in the future.

The couple’s story began after Douglas admired Zeta-Jones’s role in Mask of Zorro and pursued her with persistence despite a rocky first impression. They married in November 2000, welcomed two children, and endured challenges including Douglas’s throat cancer diagnosis in 2010 and Zeta-Jones’s battle with bipolar II disorder.

After a brief separation in 2013, the couple reconciled and have appeared together publicly since. Zeta-Jones has often spoken warmly about their marriage, calling Douglas a wonderful husband and father and celebrating their milestone anniversaries.

As they navigate this new chapter, the question remains whether Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas can overcome this reportedly rocky period following his retirement.