Hugh Jackman’s ex Deborra-Lee Furness appeared to accuse the actor of ‘betrayal’ shortly after filing for divorce.
The Australian actress, who had been married to the Wolverine for almost three decades until they split in 2023, officially filed the divorce papers last week.
Jackman and Furness have been married for 27 years but announced they had parted in 2023. Here’s everything you need to know about the actress and her relationship with Jackman.
Who is Deborra-Lee Furness?
Deborra-Lee Furness is an Australian actress who has appeared in a number of films and TV shows since the eighties.
Some of her most prominent roles included the 1995 drama Angel Baby and the 2010 animation, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole.
On social media, she describes herself as an “Actor, Director, Humanitarian, Child Advocate.”
Aside from her acting work, Furness is reportedly involved in a lot of philanthropic projects and was even awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia, one of the country’s highest honours for her charitable work.
According to the Hopeland website: “For her entire life and career Deborra-lee has been trying to make a difference. From challenging female stereotypes in film and TV roles, to founding Adopt Change and Hopeland, we think you’ll agree with us that she has made a huge impact and richly deserves this recognition.”
How long was Hugh Jackman with Deborra-Lee Furness?
Furness and Jackman met on the set of the 1995 show Correlli, where the pair appeared to fall for each other instantly.
According to interviews about their meeting, Jackman told People in 2017: “ I had a crush and I was mortified,” adding he didn’t immediately pluck up the courage to speak to her.
Eventually, the actor admitted his feelings and was surprised to learn she felt the same. The couple then married in 1996 and later adopted two children, Oscar and Ava.
Jackman and Furness’ marriage appeared to go from strength to strength, regularly attending showbiz events together and supporting each others’ acting careers.
In September 2023, after 27 years of marriage, the couple confirmed that they were separating.
"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," they said in a joint statement.
"Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives."
In January 2025, Jackman appeared to confirm his new relationship with fellow actor Sutton Foster, who had starred alongside him in the Broadway production Music Man two years earlier.
In May 2025, Furness officially filed for divorce.
What has Deborra-Lee Furness said about her split?
It appears the former couple haven’t spoken much publicly about their split.
However in the days after filing for divorce, Furness appeared to share more details about her past relationship and how she has moved forward since.
“Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose,” she said in her with the Daily Mail. She also maintainted "that the relationships in our lives are not random.”
Jackman has taken to social media to share a video of him performing amid the NSYNC song ‘Bye bye bye’.
Speaking about her former relationship, Furness said that the wound ‘cuts deep’ but she remains grateful to have learned a lot.
“My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,” she said in an interview with the outlet.
She added: “It’s a profound wound that cuts deep, however I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us. This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage.”
“It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom,” Furness continued.
