When a 27-year marriage ends, the story doesn’t close with a single headline. For Deborra-Lee Furness, the Australian actress and children’s advocate, the split from Hugh Jackman has been a slow, public process that began in September 2023 and only formally concluded in June 2025, and now she’s offering a rare glimpse into what betrayal feels like.
Born: 30 November 1955 ·
Age: 68 (as of 2024) ·
Occupation: Actress and producer ·
Award: Officer of the Order of Australia (2022) ·
Marriage duration: 27 years (1996-2023) ·
Children: 2 (adopted)
Quick snapshot
- Exact reasons for the split
- Whether Furness had plastic surgery
- Nature of any relationship with Sutton Foster
- Furness continues acting and producing
- Focus on children’s advocacy work
- Public appearances on her own terms
Six key facts, one pattern: Furness built a life and career largely in the shadow of her famous husband, but the divorce has shifted the spotlight onto her own voice.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Deborra-Lee Furness |
| Born | 30 November 1955 |
| Occupation | Actress, producer |
| Spouse | Hugh Jackman (1996-2023) |
| Children | 2 (adopted) |
| Award | Officer of the Order of Australia (2022) |
Why did Hugh Jackman and Deborra Furness split up?
The couple announced their separation in September 2023, stating they chose to separate to “pursue personal growth.” USA Today reported that the statement emphasized mutual respect and gratitude for the 27 years they spent together. No infidelity was confirmed at that time.
A marriage that lasted 27 years—longer than many Hollywood unions—ended not with a dramatic blowup but a quiet, gradual fading. The two remained close enough that the divorce filing itself was described as uncontested.
Eight months later, in May 2025, Furness filed for divorce in Suffolk County Supreme Court in New York. People reported that the papers indicated an uncontested settlement, meaning a judge would simply need to sign off. The court granted the divorce on June 3, 2025, according to ABC News.
The implication: The split was not a sudden rupture but a two-year process that ended legally cleanly, even if the emotional toll lingered.
Who did Hugh Jackman leave his wife for?
Rumors quickly linked Hugh Jackman to Broadway star Sutton Foster, his co-star in the musical “The Music Man.” The New York Post reported on the speculation, but Jackman’s representatives denied any romantic involvement. Foster has not publicly commented on the relationship.
Did Sutton Foster leave her husband for Hugh Jackman?
No credible evidence supports that claim. Foster’s marriage to Ted Griffin ended in 2023, but timelines are unclear. The rumors remain unsubstantiated, and both camps have stayed quiet beyond the initial denials. As of mid-2025, no public statement from Foster or her representatives confirms any link.
What this means: The “other person” narrative is all speculation. No confirmed facts tie Jackman to Foster romantically.
What did Hugh Jackman’s ex-wife say?
In her first public statement after the divorce filing, Furness spoke about betrayal in a way that went beyond her own marriage. ABC News reported that she said, “My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal.” She added that betrayal is “a profound wound that cuts deep.”
Furness described how she found her footing: returning to “your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom.” She credited faith in “a higher power” and guidance from “God or the universe” for helping her navigate the breakup.
What did Hugh Jackman tell his ex-wife?
According to Furness, Jackman warned her that the divorce process would be painful. She recalled him saying, “It will sting.” The remark, reported by ABC News via a Daily Mail interview, captured the awkward honesty between two people who still cared for each other but were ending a life together.
The pattern: Furness’s public remarks are not venomous; they are reflective. She frames the experience as universal, not just personal.
Are Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness still friends?
Yes, by all accounts. The couple has been seen together publicly since the separation, including at events for their children. People noted that the uncontested divorce filing does not suggest animosity. They continue to co-parent their two adopted children, Oscar and Ava.
In a joint statement at the time of the separation, they said they would “continue to be a family united in love.” That sentiment appears to have held through the legal proceedings.
The trade-off: Maintaining friendship after a split is rare, especially in Hollywood. Furness and Jackman appear to have prioritized their children and their own emotional health over public spectacle.
What happened to Deborra-Lee Furness’ face?
Speculation about plastic surgery or facial fillers has followed Furness for years, but she has never publicly addressed the rumors. Wikipedia notes no official statements, and no credible medical source has commented. Natural aging, makeup, or lighting could account for the changes observers note.
What remains unclear: Whether Furness has undergone any cosmetic procedures. Without confirmation from Furness or her representatives, the question sits in the “unconfirmed” column.
Furness has not engaged with the appearance speculation. Her focus, based on her public statements, is on her work and advocacy—not on rebutting internet rumors.
The speculation remains unresolved, but Furness has chosen not to address it publicly.
Timeline: Deborra-Lee Furness’s journey from marriage to divorce
- 1955: Born in Sydney, Australia (Wikipedia)
- 1996: Married Hugh Jackman (New York Post)
- 2000: Adopted first child, Oscar (Wikipedia)
- 2005: Adopted second child, Ava (Wikipedia)
- 2022: Appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (Wikipedia)
- September 2023: Announced separation from Hugh Jackman (USA Today)
- May 23, 2025: Filed for divorce in New York (BBC News)
- June 3, 2025: Divorce granted (ABC News)
The timeline shows a gradual process from separation to legal finalization over nearly two years.
Clarity check: What’s confirmed and what’s still open
Confirmed facts
- Separation announced September 2023 (USA Today)
- Divorce finalized June 2025 (ABC News)
- Furness born 30 November 1955 (Wikipedia)
- Officer of the Order of Australia (2022) (Wikipedia)
- Two adopted children (Wikipedia)
- Uncontested divorce filing (People)
What’s unclear
- Exact reasons for the split
- Whether Furness had plastic surgery
- Nature of any relationship with Sutton Foster
- Financial terms of the settlement
- Whether Furness will continue acting in Hollywood
- Whether Furness has any upcoming projects
This breakdown separates what is known from what remains speculation.
What Deborra-Lee Furness said about betrayal
“My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal.”
— Deborra-Lee Furness, via ABC News
“Returning to your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom.”
— Deborra-Lee Furness, via ABC News
“It will sting.”
— Hugh Jackman to Deborra-Lee Furness, as reported by ABC News
These three statements framed the emotional arc of the divorce. Furness chose to make her pain public, not for sympathy, but to connect with others who have experienced similar wounds.
For Deborra-Lee Furness, the years ahead are about more than moving on. They’re about redefining a public identity that was once shared. She has her acting career, her production work, and her children’s advocacy—all platforms she can now build on her own terms. The implication for anyone watching her story: a 27-year marriage ending doesn’t erase a life’s work. It just changes the stage.
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Frequently asked questions
How long were Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness married?
They were married for 27 years, from 1996 to 2023.
How many children do they have?
They have two adopted children, Oscar and Ava.
What is Deborra-Lee Furness’s net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly disclosed, but as a producer and actress she has earned substantial income over decades. Estimates vary widely.
What is she doing now?
She continues to act and produce, and is active in children’s rights advocacy. She is also making public appearances focused on her own career.
Has she remarried?
No, she has not remarried as of 2025.
What awards has she received?
She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2022 for her services to the performing arts and children’s advocacy.
What is her role in children’s advocacy?
She is a longtime advocate for adoption and children’s welfare, and co-founded the charity “Adopt Change” in Australia.
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Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Briefly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.