Catherine Zeta-Jones forgets her husband is 25 years older than her.

The 40-year-old actress insists her relationship with Michael Douglas works well because he is no longer as focussed on his career as she is and so can stay at home with their children, Dylan, nine, and Carys, six, while she goes out to work.

She said: "Until someone actually tells me he's 25 years older, I don't actually think about it. I guess he's been through the mill a bit if he can put up with me and we're not vying for equal rights in our careers because he already is Michael Douglas. He's spent all his life doing that and he can take a back seat in a way and not feel so crazed about the consciousness of his career. It works very well with the children, him being at home and me working and vice versa."

The 'Chicago' star - who has been married to the screen legend for almost 10 years - also revealed the attraction between them was instantaneous and has only grown "stronger" over the years.

She told Britain's OK! magazine: "I fell in love with Michael the moment I met him and our relationship has just grown stronger and stronger. We are very close. I know there were some cynics when we first got together but we married because of love and that has never waned, not for a minute."