Michael Douglas, the 55-year-old actor whose career has been associated with controversy as much as entertainment, announced his engagement to 30year-old British actress Catherine Zeta Jones in a pretty modern way yesterday - via the Internet.
Douglas runs his own website - MichaelDouglas.com - and it was there that he posted the announcement, after weeks of conflicting speculations that the two were either breaking up or marrying.
"First, I am very happy to announce that I am engaged to Catherine Zeta Jones. I proposed to Catherine on New Year's Eve, at my house in Aspen [Colorado]. I met Catherine at the Deauville Film Festival in August of 1998, and we have been dating since March of 1999. We plan to marry sometime this year, however, no date has been set.
"Check my website in the future and you'll be among the first to know," Douglas writes.
But that is not all. Douglas, who has often criticised the media for intruding into his life, including an incident last year when photographers followed him and Jones to a "secret" island hideaway, continues:
"Just before the Christmas holidays I completed a multi-screened film event that is part of a cultural/museum centre I am constructing on the island of Mallorca. I have been spending part of each year on this magical island for the past 20 years and I decided to share what I find so mysterious and magical about this place with the public.
"The centre is located in Valdemossa and will be called the Costa Nord Cultural Centre. The attraction includes a 14-minute movie giving a brief history of north coast of Mallorca as well as showing sights, historical landmarks, residences and artefacts previously unavailable to tourists. We will also have special exhibits, historical databases, concerts and lectures. It is time for all of you to visit and know the place I call paradise.
"Costa Nord is planned for an early March opening, but you can learn more about the museum at www.costanord.com."
Several weeks ago in New York, gossip columnists tracked the couple for a week and concluded that they were out being photographed at public events nearly every evening.
In 1998 Douglas and his wife of 19 years, Diandra, divorced.
Jones, who rose to fame in Britain for her role in the television series The Darling Buds of May, told Reuters that their 25-year age difference was unimportant.
"I've never dated anybody the same age as me. I think it's because I love the knowledge that older men have," she said.
Any concerns that Douglas had about his privacy seem to have evaporated. He concludes his website message with promises of more to come.
"I will also include information on my foundation, my films and my fan club. It will be a complete multimedia experience including stills from movies, special film clips, memorabilia auctions, never-before-seen personal photos and home video clips.
"So be sure to keep checking back!"