Hugh Jackman and Deborra Lee-Furness have decided to part ways. The former couple, who exchanged vows in 1996 following their introduction on the set of an Australian television show, have announced their intention to split after 27 years of marriage.
“We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage,” the couple conveyed to People in a statement dated September 15.
“Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth”.
Hugh and Deborra, the loving parents to Oscar, 23, and Ava, 18, stated, “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”.
Their decades-long romance began when they encountered each other on the set of Cornelli, where they felt an immediate bond.
“I feel blessed that I experienced that I feel like I met my soulmate”, Deborra remarked during a September 2020 episode on Anh’s Brush With Fame, “whatever that is”.
She continued, “When you find a partner in crime that you share and you grow together—and life is tough, as we know it, it’s not all good—and when you have someone there that is so supportive…you can really stand buck naked. You have to”.
Similarly, Hugh felt an undeniable connection from the first moment they met. “My first job out of drama school—it was a massive break for me”, he told Jess Cagle on People TV in 2017.
“I was really scared. Deb, she was a big star. I get picked up, and Deb is in the front seat of the car. I’ll never forget”.
“She took off her seatbelt and she turned around and put out her hand and took off her sunglasses and said, ‘Hi, I’m Deborra-Lee Furness, nice to meet you.’ I remember thinking, ‘I like this girl'”.
Hugh realized their promising future together even before Deborra did. “I knew very early”, he shared on a 2018 episode of the Aussies in Hollywood podcast.
“I knew before Deb knew, even when she tried to break up with me, I knew. I managed to talk her out of it, thank God. I’m a very indecisive person, you know this about me, Deb really knows this about me”.
“I can count on one hand the amount of times in my life anything has felt that clear to me. I just knew 100 percent”.
Their mutual affection remained resolute over the years, with Hugh crafting a heartfelt homage to his spouse in 2021 to commemorate their 25th wedding anniversary.
“Being married to you Deb is as natural as breathing,” the X-Men icon expressed in an Instagram post during that period.
“From nearly the moment we met … I knew our destiny was to be together. In our 25 years – our love has only grown deeper. The fun, excitement and adventure more exhilarating; the learning even greater”.
“I’m forever grateful to share our love, our life – and, our family together”, he added. “We’ve only just begun”.
