Michael Douglas was diagnosed with stage four tongue cancer in 2010, and after a series of chemotherapy and radiation therapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, he was declared cancer-free in January 2011.
Since then, Douglas has nursed a morbid fear of his health and hopes to live up to his 100th birthday. The actor is now living an intentional lifestyle and opting for healthier habits to make his hopes come true someday.
Michael Douglas prepares to turn 100
Shaken by his life-threatening experience with cancer, Douglas has changed his diet, routine, and social setting to avoid a relapse and make it to 100. He reportedly maintains a gluten-free diet and is so intentional about ditching sugar that he hardly relaxes about it.
Douglas also cut alcohol and caffeine out of his diet completely and takes daily vitamin supplements to help boost his immune system. The 80-year-old frequents the hospital for medical checkups and now has the gym as a part of his daily routine. Despite previously hating exercise, Douglas now does one-armed push-ups effortlessly.
Michael Douglas is inspired by his father to live long in spite of cancer scare
Douglas came from a celebrity household with actor Kirk Douglas as his father, who also doubles as a mentor and an inspiration. Kirk lived for up to 103 years before his passing in 2020, and this motivates Douglas to show up daily for workouts to match his late father’s feat.
This year, Douglas decided to partially retire from Hollywood to settle at his breathtaking estate in Mallorca. He regards the spot in Spain as a home away from home, which he purchased with his ex-wife Diandra Luker. Occasionally, Catherine Zeta-Jones joins him on the 250-acre for a quick family break.