Who's the daddy now?

After seeing her on-screen in The Mask of Zorro, Michael engineered a meeting with Catherine. After telling her at their first meeting he wanted to father her children, he pursued her relentlessly for nine months before she finally gave in. Welsh girl Catherine has always set out to prove herself and Michael's support has encouraged her. 'I have my own money,' says Wales' richest woman, who has a fortune of $315 million. 'I am self-sufficient, which is good for a relationship. I've never had a cent from any guy, and I'm very proud of that.'

Who's in charge?
Thirty-six-year-old Catherine has become the family breadwinner after her husband agreed to take a back seat and put his career on hold. He spent three years at home raising their tots Dylan, five, and three-year-old Carys, and also says he has come to accept photographers asking him to step aside so they can snap his gorgeous wife alone. 'We're in different places in our lives career-wise,' acknowledges Catherine. 'The fact that there's a 25-year age difference is kind of fantastic. We aren't vying for the kind of attention that maybe two actors around the same age might.'

Michael hasn't shelved his career entirely in favour of becoming a house-husband. He starred in The Sentinel with Eva Longoria and Kiefer Sutherland, and is building up his production portfolio. 'My wife deserves everything she gets. There is no jealousy,' says the 61-year-old. 'When your wife is younger and at the prime of her career, she should be entitled to go and do whatever she wants to do work-wise. I don't compete with her.'

Julia Roberts and Danny Moder

Superstar Julia, 38, is happily married to cameraman Danny Moder, who she met whilst making The Mexican. She is also mum to 18-month-old twins Phinnaeus and Hazel. She earned $25 million for her last film, Mona Lisa Smile, and is still the most powerful woman in Tinseltown.

Who's in charge?
After becoming a mum, Julia has led a more low-profile life at her New Mexico ranch. She plays down her success and is not trying to outshine her shy hubby. 'I have a very blessed life. I have been able to have a lot of great career opportunities and been able to build on them over a long time, so the focus on my career can be very sporadic and of my choosing,' she says modestly. Her Broadway debut in the play Three Days of Rain made national news, proving that despite mixed reviews, the pretty woman still has a place in America's heart.

In the past, Julia has dated many famous leading men including Liam Neeson, Daniel Day-Lewis and Matthew Perry. Since she wed Danny in July 2002, Julia has often been asked if her marriage to Danny, 37, is easier because he isn't another celebrity. 'He is very warm, loving and understanding,' she gushes. 'That's what everyone needs in a partner.'

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline

Kevin was an unknown dancer who had performed with Britney's ex, Justin Timberlake, when these two fell for each other. She cancelled her tour and he left his then girlfriend, Shar Jackson, who was six months pregnant, to be with the pop princess. They married in October 2004 and baby Sean Preston was born in September 2005. Since hooking up with Kevin, 24-year-old Britney has swapped her glam sex kitten look for takeaways and cigarettes.

Who's in charge?
Now she is pregnant again, it is expected Britney will give her husband short shrift. She is still a target for the paparazzi despite not having released a single for more than a year, but is said to be working on new material due out in November, as well as releasing a remix album.

Despite appearances and rumours of arguments, 28-year-old Kevin does wax lyrical about his love for his wife. 'She's my angel, everything I've ever wanted in life, in a person, in a human being. Her soul is caring. She's just a giving person,' he says. After spending a third of her $185 million fortune in a few years, Brit reportedly gives her hubby an allowance each month - which he often blows in the first week on nights on the town. Any big items - cars, or trips that go over allowance - need to be approved by Britney herself. In a bid to get out of her shadow, K-Fed has launched a rap career - financed by his wife.