Born in 1968 in Sydney, Australia, actor Hugh Jackman has been in the spotlight since he went on the stage at five years old, playing King Richard in “Camelot.” His first major role was in the ‘90s Australian show “Correlli,” which is where he met Deborra-Lee Furness, his future wife. Though she was a more established actor than him and 13 years older, he was immediately head over heels for her, and the two started a whirlwind romance that continued for 27 years.
The couple shocked fans and critics alike after announcing their separation in September 2023. Apparently, the relationship had been strained after COVID-19 and the writer’s strikes in Hollywood. Still, it surprised everyone since Jackman frequently posted declarations of love for Furness on social media, especially for their anniversaries.
So how did they go from a madly passionate on-set love affair to a breakup almost three decades later? Let’s take a look at their relationship timeline, starting at the beginning.
Hugh Jackman had a crush on Deborra-lee Furness immediately
Hugh was smitten right away when he met Deb on the set of “Corelli.” They met before filming on a car ride over to set. Hugh told People, “Deb, she was a big star. I get picked up, and Deb is in the front seat of the car. I’ll never forget.” He tried to resist catching feelings for his co-star in order to keep things professional, even giving her the silent treatment. But when he hosted a dinner one night, she confronted him about it, and Hugh admitted it was because he had a crush on her. She said the feelings were mutual, and that’s where their love story began.
Weeks in, Hugh knew they’d last a long time
Hugh Jackman wasn’t the only one to be into Deborra-Lee. The rest of the crew was also crushing on her. In a 2018 interview with Today, Jackman said that just two weeks in, he knew they would be together “for the rest of our lives” and felt grateful to meet his person so early in his acting career. He added that he felt “fully seen” by Deb. While they didn’t last forever, they had a pretty good run!
She tried to end it early on
Though the chemistry was undeniable, Deborra-Lee Furness tried to break up with Hugh Jackman only a few weeks after dating. He got a feeling that she would do so and eventually talked her out of it. She was reluctant because she had made a New Year’s resolution to avoid dating younger men and actors — Jackman happened to be both. However, he must have convinced her quite strongly since she said yes when he proposed to her just a few months later.
They got married in 1996
Young Jackman didn’t know much about diamond rings or jewelry when he met Deb, but after hours of telling the jeweller about his wife-to-be, he found the right ring. Deb and Hugh married at St. John’s Anglican Church in Victoria, Australia, in 1996. When celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, the actor shared images from their wedding on IG.
They tried to get pregnant right away
Since Deborra-Lee was already 40 years old when she and Hugh married, they immediately started trying to have a baby. The process wasn’t without its struggles; they went through miscarriages and the IVF process but ultimately decided on the more unconventional method of adoption.
Oscar was adopted in 2000, and the biological mother from Iowa flew out to LA and stayed with them until she had a mixed-race baby with a part Bosnian background. In 2005, they adopted their daughter Ava, who has a Mexican background. The couple is adamant about honoring their children’s cultures.
They publicly expressed love for each other
Although Hugh Jackman was mostly the partner in the spotlight over the years, Deborra-Lee Furness continued her acting career but mostly focused on being a supportive wife and mother. The two would often show affection for one another on the red carpet, and Hugh always gushed about his wife, whom he believed to be the best thing that ever happened to him. When she presented him with a Special Tony Award, he was especially touched, even more so given the fact that she hates public speaking.
They’ve dealt with rumors throughout their marriage
Beyond the age difference, Hugh and Deborra-Lee have frequently had to defend their marriage. There have always been rumors swirling about Jackman’s sexuality, which began in 2003 when he and another male actor kissed on stage in a scene in “The Boy From Oz”. Gossip about a breakup also circulated, but nothing was made official until they announced their separation in September 22023. Still, a source said they had broken up quite some time ago before the statement was made.
The pandemic impacted their relationship
The pandemic added stress to their relationship, which many people can relate to. It played a major role in their breakup. An inside source said that while they’ll forever have a bond, their love “turned more into a friendship,” which was irreparably broken during lockdown. The insider mentioned that the writers’ strike also added pressure, and they couldn’t regain the spark they once had. Post-separation, they put their property in East Hampton, NY, up for rent.
They separated to “pursue individual growth”
Many folks were left scratching their heads at the cause of the breakup and wondered what the next step would be for Hugh and Deborra. In the statement, they said they wanted to pursue “individual growth,” and after growing for 27 years together, that’s understandable. They mentioned that their family will always be their highest priority. Hopefully, that individual pursuit will lead them both to happiness once again.
