Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness have decided to go their separate ways after 27 years of marriage. They announced the separation in an exclusive statement shared with PEOPLE magazine on Friday (Sept. 15). It was a mutual decision and one that was made with ‘gratitude, love, and kindness.’
“We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth,” the couple wrote in the statement – adding that ‘family has been and always will be our highest priority.’
“We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives,” they continued before declaring that this would be the only statement the former couple makes regarding their separation. The exclusive statement was signed by both Hugh and Deborra-lee.
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Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness first met in 1995 while on the set of Correlli – an Australian TV series they both starred in. At the time, Deborra-lee was already an established actress who was given the lead role in the series, while Hugh was just getting started with his acting career and had a small role.
In a 2017 interview with PEOPLE, he recalled being picked up in a car with Deborra-lee in the front seat. She introduced herself and he knew right away that he liked her. She was 13 years older than him, but that didn’t seem to matter to either of them because they started dating shortly after – and they fell fast.
On April 11, 1996, their love sprouted into a marriage. Hugh Jackman designed her engagement ring and he had their wedding bands inscribed with a Sanskrit saying – ‘Om paramar mainamar,’ which means ‘we dedicate our union to a greater source.’ They wed at St. John's in Toorak, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne.
Over the next 27 years, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness became one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples. The couple adopted two children – son Oscar Maximilian Jackman (b. May 2000) and daughter Ava Eliot Jackman (b. July 2005) – after suffering two miscarriages and failed IVF treatments.
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness Were a Power Couple
It’s going to be weird not seeing Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness together – after all, they’ve been together practically my entire life. Their separation means no more red carpets together, no more Instagram posts together, and no more interviews together – or at least not as husband and wife.
Their last red carpet appearance came at the 2023 Met Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. They were last seen together (in public) at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, where they sat down to watch Carlos Alcaraz defeat Novak Djokovic 1–6, 7–6, 6–1, 3–6, 6–4 in the men’s singles final.
Earlier in the year, Hugh Jackman took to Instagram to celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary. “I love you so much. Together we have created a beautiful family. And life. Your laughter, your spirit, generosity, humor, cheekiness, courage and loyalty is an incredible gift to me. I love you with all my heart,” he wrote.
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Their marriage might be coming to an end, but it’s good to know they’re moving forward with ‘gratitude, love, and kindness’ for one another. That’s not always the case with Hollywood marriages – especially ones that last nearly three decades – but we wouldn’t expect anything less from Hugh and Deborra-lee.
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