Five surprising facts you didn't know about Catherine Zeta-Jones
Fans of Catherine Zeta-Jones have long admired her talent and grace on screen. From her Oscar-winning role in the movie Chicago to her stunning beauty, she has won the hearts of many. Here are five surprising facts about Catherine Zeta-Jones that you might not know:
The lottery jackpot that led to fame
Catherine Zeta-Jones owes her early introduction to the world of dance and acting to an unlikely event: a bingo contest. When her parents won £100,000 ($140,000) in a bingo contest, they made a life-changing decision to invest it in their daughter's future.
They used the money to send young Catherine to dance and ballet lessons, recognizing her talent and passion for the arts. It was the spark that ignited her career in entertainment that spanned decades.
Dropped out of school at 15 to be in the spotlight
Zeta Jones' determination to pursue acting led her to make a bold decision at a young age. She left school at the age of 15 to land a role in a West End production, fully dedicating herself to her acting ambitions.
She once explained her choice as follows, "It was what I wanted to do. As much as I love my country - and no one loves their country as much as I do, you know how patriotic I am - I knew I couldn't do what I needed to do there. And my parents said that to my principal when I left school at 15 to go on tour to get my Equity card. I kept saying, "I'll go back to school, I promise. But if I can get an Equity card, it'll be like a golden ticket to Willy Wonka."
Love at first sight with Michael Douglas
The love story of Catherine Zeta-Jones and actor Michael Douglas has become a Hollywood legend. When they first met, Douglas wasted no time in making his intentions clear, telling her that he was going to be the father of her children.
Zeta-Jones, understandably stunned, backed away. However, Douglas' persistence and a heartfelt bouquet of flowers won her over. Since then, they have become a favorite Hollywood couple.
A golfer with unique rules
In addition to her acting talents, Catherine Zeta-Jones is also a skilled golfer. In a 2016 interview on the Graham Norton show, she playfully boasted, "I'm a pretty good golfer. I can kick Michael Douglas' ass at golf."
She even revealed a unique twist she adds to the game when she plays against male opponents, including her husband. Her rule is as follows, "If he can't get the ball over the women's hole, he has to take his pants off." Golf just got a whole lot more interesting!
A pop star in the making
Before becoming famous in Hollywood, Catherine Zeta-Jones was a musician. In 1995, she released the catchy pop song "In the Arms of Love" under Wayne's Wow! Records. In addition, she collaborated on the song "True Love Ways," a duet with David Essex, which reached no. 38 in the UK music charts. Zeta-Jones's talents go beyond acting, proving that she is a multifaceted artist.
