Deborra-Lee Furness might finally be ready to open up about her split from Hugh Jackman, and it sounds like she’s not holding back. According to British journalist Rob Shuter, the Australian actress has been quietly meeting with publishers in New York to discuss what’s being described as a “bold, emotional memoir about love, identity, and starting over.”
Furness was reportedly spotted last week having a serious-looking meeting with a major publishing house. “She was all smiles, but it looked serious,” a publishing insider told Shuter. “There were sample pages, lots of notes — it had the energy of a book deal negotiation.”
Friends say Deborra-Lee is eager to take control of her own story after years of being seen mainly as the wife of a Hollywood star. “She spent years being known as Hugh’s wife. Now she wants to be known for her truth,” one close friend said.
The 69-year-old actress and filmmaker filed for divorce from Jackman, 57, in May, nearly two years after they first announced their separation. The couple had been married since 1996 and shared two adopted children, Oscar, 25, and Ava, 20.
While both have kept much of their breakup private, Deborra-Lee hinted at the emotional toll in a heartfelt message to the Daily Mail earlier this year. “I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us,” she wrote, adding that she’d been through “the traumatic journey of betrayal.”
The pair’s divorce was finalised in May, with reports claiming they divided an estimated $387 million in property and assets.
In the months that followed, Jackman appeared to move on quickly. He made headlines when he went public with Broadway star Sutton Foster, the pair making their red-carpet debut at the premiere of his latest film Song Sung Blue.
Now, it seems Deborra-Lee is ready for her own next chapter. Those close to her say the planned memoir won’t just be about her marriage to Jackman but also about rediscovering herself after nearly three decades in his shadow. The book is said to cover her life before fame, her rise in the Australian film industry, and her experiences navigating Hollywood as a woman often defined by her husband’s success.
The actress has long been outspoken about women’s empowerment and adoption advocacy, so a raw, personal memoir would hardly be out of character. And if early whispers are true, it may give readers a glimpse into what really happened behind the scenes of one of Hollywood’s most admired marriages.
While no deal has been confirmed yet, the buzz around the project is already growing fast in publishing circles. One insider called it “the kind of story that could top bestseller lists — honest, painful, but ultimately hopeful.” If she does go ahead with the book, Deborra-Lee Furness could finally be telling her story, her way — and the world will be listening.“
