Michael Douglas, at 79, has not only faced the pressures of a long Hollywood career but also the amplified stigma surrounding aging. With decades of success, his appearance has naturally changed, yet he remains under public scrutiny.

As a father, Douglas admits he initially “struggled to balance” his career with family life, especially during his son Cameron’s early years. But after Cameron faced legal issues, Douglas “reassessed his priorities,” becoming more focused on his role as a father. Later, with actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, he welcomed two more children, Dylan and Carys, and committed to “balance his career” with family life, even moving to Manhattan to avoid the Hollywood glare.

Yet, despite efforts for privacy, his daughter Carys has faced hurtful comments on Douglas’s age and appearance. At the Cannes Film Festival, critics used terms like “old haggard” and “frail,” underscoring society’s lingering ageism.

Let’s “embrace the right to age without prejudice” and promote empathy. Aging brings “wisdom and experience,” qualities that deserve respect, not criticism.