Michael Douglas: Saving marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones took 'work'

NEW YORK, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Michael Douglas is focusing on family now that his relationship with Catherine Zeta-Jones is back on track.

The 71-year-old actor discussed his reconciliation with the 46-year-old actress in the February/March issue of AARP the Magazine. Douglas and Zeta-Jones separated in 2013, but were able to ultimately save their marriage.

"It took work on both our parts," he said. "I don't think there's much chance of fixing a relationship if one of you is already out the door. I think we're both mellower and wiser. That comes naturally with time. We count our blessings."

"I mean, you're a fool if you don't get a little more conscious at my age of how you want to spend your days," he said of growing older. "I'm more motivated, more responsible [since my cancer]. My younger kids could be my grandchildren. I want to be here a while."

Douglas and Zeta-Jones married in 2000 and share 15-year-old son Dylan and 12-year-old daughter Carys. The actor is also dad to 37-year-old son Cameron Douglas, who is imprisoned for a 2010 drug conviction, with first wife Diandra Luker.

"I'm crazy about her, and yeah, I think every couple has their difficult times," Douglas said last year of the reconciliation with Zeta-Jones. "The only problem is we're all in the public eye, and it tends to get more exposed than most. But we're back, stronger than ever."

Douglas last played Hank Pym in Ant-Man and will reprise the role in Ant-Man and the Wasp. He will also star in Unlocked with Noomi Rapace, while Zeta-Jones is slated for The Godmother with John Leguizamo and Dad's Army with Blake Harrison.