WITH troubled actress Catherine Zeta-Jones in a psychiatric facility, her mother and her hubby Michael Douglas are locked in a battle of wills, sources say.
Tension arose after Catherine’s strong-willed 65-year-old mother Pat jetted to New York from her home in Wales to look after her two young grandchildren, insiders say.
“When she learned Catherine was back in rehab, she dropped everything to fly to New York and support her,” said a close friend.
“WHILE Pat loves Michael, she knows the two of them fight a lot.”
Meanwhile, 68-year-old Michael balks at his mother-in-law pitching in to care for the couple’s kids – son Dylan, 12, and daughter Carys, 10.
“Pat is very assertive and speaks her mind, and that agitates Michael,” said another source. “He feels that he’s more than capable of running the household while Catherine is getting help for her problems.”
As The ENQUIRER has reported, the Oscar-winning beauty, who claims to be 43, was readmitted to rehab after sources said she was boozing and fighting with her husband, who’s successfully battled throat cancer.
The couple’s 12-year marriage has also been experiencing tough times – with Michael even moving out at one point last summer – and sources say Catherine’s drinking has sparked confrontations.
“Things between Michael and Catherine have become very strained lately,” said the close friend.
“Between his cancer battle and Catherine’s depression, not to mention their careers and family obligations, their marriage has been under enormous stress. But Catherine’s mom is telling family members that since she arrived, Catherine is responding to treatment.
“Pat is not suggesting that the marriage is over because she insists Michael and Catherine do still love each other.”
