Deborra-Lee Furness is finally opening up about her divorce from Hugh Jackman—and she’s not sugarcoating the emotional toll it’s taken.
The 69-year-old actress and producer shared a heartfelt statement following news that she officially filed for divorce from Jackman on May 23, nearly two years after the couple announced their separation in September 2023. At the time, they said they had “decided to separate to pursue our individual growth” after what they called a “wonderful, loving marriage.”
Now, Furness is offering a deeper, more personal look at her healing journey.
“My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal. It’s a profound wound that cuts deep,” she said in a statement shared with People, originally given to The Daily Mail.
“However, I believe in a higher power and that God or the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working for us.”
She continued, “I have gained much knowledge and wisdom through this experience. Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose.”
“It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom.”
Reflecting on her nearly 30-year marriage to Jackman, Furness noted that even the painful parts serve a bigger purpose: growth.
“We are all on our individual journeys and I believe that the relationships in our lives are not random. We are drawn to people, we invite them in, in order to learn our lessons and to recognize and heal the broken parts of ourselves,” she said. “I remain grateful.”
Furness and Jackman met on the set of an Australian TV series in 1995 and married a year later. They adopted two children together and became one of Hollywood’s most enduring couples—until their unexpected split in 2023.
Since then, Hugh Jackman’s love life has sparked fresh interest. He’s now reportedly dating Sutton Foster, and the two were photographed holding hands in January 2025. They were recently spotted together again, fueling speculation that the relationship is becoming more serious.
Despite the shift in their relationship status, Furness’s statement makes one thing clear—she’s moving forward with grace, strength, and a deep belief that even heartbreak can lead to healing.
