Deborra-Lee Furness supported Hugh Jackman for almost thirty years as both a wife and a strong woman in her own right, shamefully navigating media attention while raising a fiercely private family. Fans were taken aback by their 2023 split, not just because of how long they had been together but also because of how tenaciously they had kept their relationship out of the public eye. The signs, subtle and dispersed over years, were already there, but the announcement felt sudden.
Furness made a striking impression on Australian television and cinema during her early career. Her breakthrough performance as a crusading lawyer in Shame (1988) garnered her praise from critics and awards. Years later, she met Hugh Jackman, an unknown actor at the time, while filming Correlli. Their on-screen and off-screen chemistry was remarkably organic. They were married within a year.
Deborra-Lee Furness – Biography and Career Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Deborra-Lee Furness |
| Date of Birth | November 30, 1955 |
| Age | 69 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Profession | Actress, Producer, Adoption Advocate |
| Years Active | 1975 – Present |
| Marriage to Hugh Jackman | April 11, 1996 – September 2023 |
| Children | Oscar Maximilian (born 2000), Ava Eliot (born 2005) |
| Career Milestones | Shame, Correlli, Angel Baby, Adoption Advocacy |
| Honors | NSW Australian of the Year (2014) |
Their relationship grew to become one of Hollywood’s most admired over the ensuing decades. In interviews and on social media, Jackman frequently referred to his marriage to Furness as “as natural as breathing.” Rather than being theatrical, these statements were strikingly consistent and revealed a deep affection that seemed to be ingrained in his life. He referred to their love as “only just beginning” on their 25th anniversary. Fans found their separation to be particularly startling because of this pattern of adoring public tributes.
The couple had already begun the process of dividing their assets by the time the divorce was officially filed in May 2025. In a quick and strategic move, Furness paid Jackman $11.7 million to purchase his half of their opulent New York penthouse, a sophisticated apartment near the Hudson that was originally bought for $21 million and is now more like $23 million. This deal, which was completed just two days prior to the court documents, indicated a well-thought-out and respectable strategy. However, a few days later, Furness’s emotionally charged public statement that hinted at betrayal changed the tone.
She spoke of a “traumatic journey,” describing how she managed the hurt of betrayed trust with silent fortitude. She did not specifically name Jackman, but the implication was clear. Jackman was reportedly taken aback by her comments and disappointed by what he perceived to be a breach of an unwritten agreement. Originally presented as a friendly breakup, there was now a clear sense of emotional disintegration.
Furness, however, has proven resilient for a long time. Her efforts to reform adoption, particularly in Australia, continue to have a significant influence. She and Jackman had two children adopted after miscarriages. Both Oscar and Ava were intentionally raised with mixed ancestry. The couple tried to honor the heritage of their kids. Oscar’s Bosnian heritage inspired weekend cooking sessions with a Croatian-Bosnian recipe book, while Ava’s Mexican heritage brought the family to Mexico. These were intensely personal attempts to inculcate cultural identity rather than merely symbolic actions.
Furness made room behind the scenes while Jackman dominated the box office with movies like The Greatest Showman and Logan. As an ambassador for multiple international organizations and a speaker before the National Press Club, she emerged as a strong advocate for displaced children. She did not advocate in a theatrical manner. Lived experience and a thorough comprehension of the institutional obstacles in the adoption process served as its driving forces. Even a finalist portrait of her for the Archibald Prize recognized her work, showing her standing quietly and elegantly next to Jackman in a now-familiarly ironic picture.
Both parents shielded their kids from the spotlight despite their different trajectories. Oscar, who is currently in his twenties, is allegedly a student at prestigious universities and is seeing Grace Hingston-Hurtado, the daughter of Broadway actors Brad Hurtado and Sean Hingston. After classmates flocked to her ballet classes after Greatest Showman, Ava, who is incredibly passionate about dance, once forbade her father from going. Although humorous, these anecdotes highlight the couple’s careful visibility management, striking a balance between normalcy and celebrity.
Jackman started talking openly about mental health in recent years, bringing up sensitive subjects in movies like The Son. Noting that their generation was “totally fine having these conversations,” he engaged his kids in these discussions. His marriage seemed to reflect that level of emotional transparency—until it might not have.
Their split adds to an increasing number of long-standing Hollywood alliances that have recently fallen apart. The industry appears to be changing, from Meryl Streep and Don Gummer to Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner. The order of priorities is changing. Performative longevity is losing ground to emotional self-actualization. This trend is reflected in the Jackman-Furness split, which is less of a tabloid scandal and more of a social mirror showing how even close relationships can change or dissolve in the face of new pressures.
According to reports, their estimated $387 million fortune was divided without a court challenge. However, the emotional value of a marriage ending is rarely captured by money. Jackman’s public silence in the wake of Furness’s remarks could be interpreted as a sign of respect or self-defense. In any case, what separates them is less about assigning blame and more about sorting out their shared past.
Furness keeps up her quiet leadership while refocusing on her humanitarian endeavors. Her unapologetic directness, emotional intelligence, and social impact continue to have an impact. Audiences are reminded by her story that her own light continued to shine despite being the partner of a world-renowned celebrity. It simply meant that service, not spectacle, was what brought her fame.