Catherine Zeta-Jones was born in Swansea, Wales, to Patricia (née Fair) and David James Jones, who owned a sweet factory. Her Welsh roots and upbringing profoundly influenced her early interest in performing arts, setting the stage for her future career.

From a young age, Catherine exhibited a passion for performance. She joined a church amateur dramatics group and then trained at the Hazel Johnson School of Dance, leading to early stage roles in productions like 'Annie', 'Bugsy Malone' and 'The Pyjama Game'. These experiences honed her skills and ignited her ambition.