Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness announced their plans to separate after nearly three decades of marriage.
In a statement shared with People On September 15, the couple said: “We were fortunate to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful and loving marriage. “Our journey is now changing and we have decided to part ways to continue our individual growth.”
“Our family has always been and will always be our top priority. We face this next chapter with gratitude, love and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting the privacy of all of our lives as our family goes through this transition.”
They signed the statement with “Deb and Hugh Jackman” and concluded: “This is the only statement any of us will make.”
The influential Australian couple had been married for more than 27 years and share two children: Oscar, 23, and Ava, 18. In November 2020, Furness explained to People how much he values family: “Family, to me, means that you feel safe.”
“I always use the expression: ‘We all need to know that we are valuable,’” he added. “So with family, you always know that you are important in someone else’s life.”
Jackman met Furness in 1995 on the set of the Australian television series Corelli. At the time, Deborra was an established actress, while Hugh was fresh out of drama school and barely dabbling in acting. Despite the age difference of 13 years, the couple soon fell madly in love and less than a year later, on April 11, 1996, they married.
In an interview with People In 2017, Jackman reflected on how they met: “Deb was a big star… They picked me up and Deb was in the front seat of the car. I will never forget”.
“She took off her seatbelt, turned around, reached out, took off her sunglasses and said, ‘Hi, I’m Deborra-Lee Furness, nice to meet you.’ I remember thinking, ‘I like this girl,’” she recalled.
For Jackman, it was love at first sight. “I knew it very early, I knew it before Deb knew it. Even when she tried to break up with me, I knew,” he continued. “She kind of broke up with me, a little bit. At first, three weeks after starting the relationship. I managed to dissuade her, thank God.”
“I am a very indecisive person, Deb knows this very well,” he added. “I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen something so clearly in my life, and when it happens, I find it a huge relief.”
The star of Greatest Showman He posted a sweet photo of himself and Furness on Instagram in honor of their 27th wedding anniversary in April and gushed about his then-wife: “I love you so much. Together we have created a beautiful family. And life. Your laughter, your spirit, generosity, humor, boldness, bravery and loyalty is an incredible gift to me.”
Jackman paid many tributes to his wife on his Instagram. He often shared memories and wrote loving messages about Furness on important holidays and anniversaries.
The couple’s last public appearances were at the Met Gala in May, where they both wore outfits honoring the late Karl Lagerfeld, and at the Wimbledon men’s final in July.
Translation of Michelle Padilla
