Sex, love and rock n roll - celebrity secrets to make romance stand the test of time

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have been married for 21 years (Getty Images)
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have been married for 21 years (Getty Images)

High relationship turnover is often seen as a peril of celebrity, with many couples struggling to make love last in the glare of the public eye.

But some A-listers have managed to defy the odds and make their relationships stand the test of time. Here's the loving couples who have survived life in La-La Land and beyond.

Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas: 21 years

Despite their 25-year age gap, actors Catherine and Michael are still happily married after 21 years.

They met at a film festival back in 1998 and Michael told Jonathan Ross that the attraction was instant. He said: “I said to her after about half an hour [of hanging out], ‘You know, I’m going to be the father of your children."

The married in 2000 and have two children, Dylan and Carys, and the family live in New York.

Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas say laughter is key to a happy marriage (Getty Images)
Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas say laughter is key to a happy marriage (Getty Images)

Read more: At 52 Catherine Zeta Jones has a core of steel

Welsh star Catherine, 52, says their marriage hasn't been without its ups and downs - they briefly split in 2013 - but having fun together is key to staying together.

“First of all, we have a lot of fun together,” said Catherine. “My husband is 25 years older than me; that's not a secret…. The constant is love and respect. We've never, ever lost our sense of humour, and we enjoy each other's company.

“My husband and I spend a lot of time together because, unlike so many couples, we've never had a 9-to-5 job where it's consistent. We're either on or we're off. I'm really working 16 hours a day, or I'm not. He's doing the same, or not. So we've had in our relationship huge amounts of time where we've been just us.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge: 10 years

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the "No Time To Die" World Premiere at the Royal Albert Hall. (Getty Images)

While William and Catherine have been married for just 10 years, their relationship goes way back to when they were just teenage students at the University of St Andrews.

They started off as friends back in 2001, but a spark grew between them the following year and they became a couple.

Their relationship came under intense scrutiny and they split briefly in 2007. They slowly rekindled their romance, with William determined that Kate knew exactly what life as the future Queen would entail.

They married in 2011 and have since welcomed children George, Charlotte and Louis. While the pair are very private about their relationship, they are said to share an "equal partnership" and mutually support each other with bringing up their children and their royal duties.

Read more: Kate sports sold-out Mulberry bag for outing with her in-laws

David and Victoria Beckham: 22 years

 Victoria Beckham and David Beckham at GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2019 (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Victoria Beckham and David Beckham at GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2019 (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

The superstar footballer and the Spice Girl first met back in 1997 when Victoria went to watch a Manchester United match.

They wed in 1999 in a glittering ceremony where they sat on matching 'his and hers' gold thrones.

Now parents to four children, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper, the couple have managed to stick together despite rumours about the state of their relationship over the years.

Spending time together is key say David and Victoria Beckham. (Getty Images)
Spending time together is key say David and Victoria Beckham. (Getty Images)

Read more: David Beckham says Victoria has eaten the same meal for 25 years

Speaking to Stella Magazine, Victoria said: "I think making time for each other, even when you both have busy schedules is what is most important.

"We also both love spending time with the whole family, it’s so rare these days that it makes it all the more special when we are able to get together."

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne: 39 years

Singer Ozzy Osbourne and wife Sharon have been wed for 39 years. (REUTERS)
Singer Ozzy Osbourne and wife Sharon have been wed for 39 years. (REUTERS)

There can't be many couples who have been through as much as Sharon and Ozzy, who have faced drug addiction, Ozzy being arrested for attacking Sharon, infidelity and a split.

But the couple, parents to Aimee, Kelly and Jack, have managed to survive it all and will this year celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary.

Their relationship has been far from conventional, with Ozzy admitting to numerous affairs, but he says he and Sharon try never to go to bed on an argument.

He said: "I buy Sharon flowers, we tell each other we love each other every single day, no matter where in the world I am and we don't go to bed on an argument.

"We share a bed still, except the dogs get more bloody space in the bed than I do. Bella sleeps with us every night and Sharon gets cross if I disturb her."

Read more: Piers Morgan defends Sharon Osbourne following Whoopi Goldberg's holocaust comments

Elton John and David Furnish: 16 years

Sir Elton John and husband David Furnish (Getty Images)
Sir Elton John and husband David Furnish. (Getty Images)

While Sir Elton and David entered into a civil partnership in 2005, theirs is one of the most enduring relationships in showbiz as they first started dating almost 30 years ago.

They welcomed their first child Zachary in 2010 followed by Elijah three years later via the same surrogate.

Despite being together for so long, the pair are incredibly romantic. The duo met on a Saturday and count that day of the week their anniversary, so every Saturday both David and Elton write love notes to one another.

Sir Elton explains: “Every Saturday, without fail, we’ve sent each other a card or a fax. We go through difficulties as much as anybody else does in a relationship, but we sort through it by communication. And one way of communicating is writing down on a piece of paper or a card how you’re feeling.”

Watch now: Why will Sir Elton John miss his own Oscars bash?

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