Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas Separate, Will ‘Evaluate’ and ‘Work’ on Relationship

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas are taking a break from their 13-year marriage to "evaluate" and "work" on their relationship, the actresses' representative reveals.

"Catherine and Michael are taking some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage," the rep told CNN. The famous couple tied the knot in November 2000 and has two children.

The decision to separate came after Michael returned from the Cannes Film Festival after promoting his recent movie, 'Behind The Candelabra.' Their marriage has witnessed a lot of ups and downs but the couple never gave up.

 Michael's son, Cameron, from his previous marriage was imprisoned for five years in 2010 for dealing in cocaine and methamphetamine.

The 68-year-old actor was diagnosed with stage four throat cancer for which he underwent six months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In 2011, doctors told him he was completely cured. Problems did not stop there. The same year, Catherine sought treatment for bipolar II disorder. According to the Daily Mail, she suffered from the condition after too much stress because of Michael's illness.

"This has been a perfect storm of stress, guilt and incredible heartache. They decided last year to give living apart a go, while co-parenting the kids, but now they barely see each other. Rather than help them decide what was wrong and what needed fixing, it made it clear to them both that they were so much happier and calmer apart. They have tried counselling but the truth of the matter is they've fallen out of love and are both completely different people now from how they were when they got married," said Jen Paul, the editor of the Bohomoth celebrity gossip website, according to The Mail.

 "They want the best for their kids, no matter what happens," a family friend told People.