The shocking news of the Hugh Jackman Deborra-Lee divorce sent ripples through Hollywood in September 2023, ending 27 years of marriage between the iconic actor and his wife. The couple announced their separation after nearly three decades together, a relationship that began in 1995 when they co-starred in the Australian television series Correlli. Despite their long history and deep connection, the split revealed a complex mix of betrayal, financial disputes, and emotional turmoil.
A Beloved Marriage Turns Sour After Nearly Three Decades
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness’s marriage was often seen as a Hollywood success story. The pair married in 1996, after only about a year of dating, with Jackman having expressed early certainty about their future together. They expanded their family by adopting two children, Oscar and Ava, and publicly shared warm moments through interviews and social media over the years. Jackman frequently praised Furness’s influence on his life and career, stating on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2016,
“She’s the greatest thing that ever happened to me.”
He also noted that their partnership extended beyond personal life into navigating his career both on and off screen. On their 22nd wedding anniversary, Jackman wrote on X,
“I believe in life we need to see and truly be seen by the most important people in our lives. Deb, from day one, we had that.”
However, their 27th anniversary in 2023 marked a bittersweet moment, foreshadowing the lightning storm of their impending separation.
Signs of Strain Revealed Following Announcement
Although their divorce announcement emphasized an amicable split, by November 2023, behind-the-scenes tensions were becoming visible. Reports surfaced that Jackman quickly moved on with a new romance with Sutton Foster, a Broadway Tony Award winner and actress with whom he had previously worked. Insiders shared that this relationship evolved rapidly, with Foster moving into Jackman’s New York penthouse by May 2025. This development devastated Furness, who had invested emotionally in the home as the family’s dream sanctuary meant to symbolize a fresh start for their marriage. A source remarked,
“This was their ultimate family dream home, and a space that was meant to reboot their marriage.”
The pace of Jackman’s new relationship also upset Furness, who had expected a more discreet approach, leading to the perceived betrayal after 27 years together. The former couple’s public social media activity reflected this estrangement, as they unfollowed each other on Instagram. Despite the emotional blow, Furness sent a resolute message indicating she was not troubled by Jackman’s new relationship.
Allegations of Infidelity Dominate the Narrative
The core of the Hugh Jackman Deborra-Lee divorce drama centered on allegations of infidelity. In late 2023, reports emerged claiming Jackman had an affair with Sutton Foster during his marriage to Furness. An insider told Us Weekly that Furness was blindsided by the discovery, learning about the affair indirectly rather than from Jackman himself. The insider stated,
“Deborra-Lee was blindsided when she found out about the affair through the run of the show. It was apparently Broadway’s worst-kept secret, and Deborra-Lee was the last to know.”
This revelation cast a harsher light on the breakup, as it suggested a breach of trust extended beyond the personal to the professional sphere.
Further confirming the affair’s significance, Furness addressed the emotional toll in a May 2025 interview with the Daily Mail, expressing empathy towards others who have experienced similar betrayals. She said,
“My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,”
and added that experiencing such hardship can lead to learning about
“living within [their] own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom.”
Meanwhile, Jackman reportedly reacted with subdued acknowledgment of the situation. A source revealed to the Daily Mail that Jackman was hurt by Furness’s public comments because he believed they had agreed to keep the divorce private, and he had attempted to make amends through a generous settlement.
Betrayal Felt on Multiple Fronts by Deborra-Lee Furness
The fallout from the affair extended beyond Jackman and Furness to their social circle. Trusted friends, including celebrity couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, were reportedly aware of Jackman’s relationship with Foster but remained silent to protect the actor. A source told RadarOnline that Furness felt deeply betrayed by this silence, stating,
“Debs feels cheated by all three because someone could have told her what was happening and they all chose to keep their mouths shut.”
The insider added,
“She is seething with rage over being the last to know about the clandestine affair.”
Further complicating matters, Sutton Foster’s interactions with Furness seemed disingenuous in retrospect. In mid-2025, it was revealed that Foster maintained a friendly facade around Furness despite her deeper emotional connection with Jackman. Foster and her then-husband, Ted Griffin, even participated in double dates with the couple, a situation that Furness later found “extremely disturbing.” Griffin and Furness developed a mutual understanding based on their feelings of intense betrayal. The emotional complexity of their intertwined relationships cast a dark shadow over the social dynamics in Jackman’s circle and left Furness estranged from Foster completely.
Financial Disputes Prolong the Divorce Proceedings
Although the separation was publicized in 2023, a formal divorce filing by Furness came nearly two years later, in May 2025. This delay was reportedly caused by disagreements over how to divide their substantial $250 million estate. With no prenuptial agreement in place, both parties faced a difficult negotiation without an initial framework. Furness sought a larger portion than what Jackman was willing to offer. According to a source,
“With a significant amount of money at stake, Deborra-Lee is determined to get what she believes she deserves from the separation. She is using the fact that Hugh is still married and involved with another woman against him.”
Following prolonged discussions, the couple reached an uncontested divorce settlement in June 2025. Reports indicated Furness was satisfied with the outcome, which included a significant spousal support payment. Jackman retained ownership of the New York penthouse and an additional residence in Australia but was obligated to continue covering health care costs for Furness and their children. This resolution finally gave closure to a financially and emotionally taxing chapter for both.
The Impact on Hugh Jackman’s Public Persona and Career
Once celebrated as one of Hollywood’s most affable and grounded stars, Hugh Jackman’s image suffered significantly amid the divorce revelations. The cheating allegations and ensuing scandal undermined his “nice guy” reputation, sparking widespread criticism online. This negative publicity appeared to affect his professional ventures as well. A July 2025 report in the Daily Mail noted that Jackman’s solo concerts at Radio City Hall in New York were underperforming, with many of the higher-priced tickets remaining unsold as show dates approached. Some ticket holders even resold their seats at steep discounts, signaling diminished enthusiasm among fans.
Inside sources disclosed to Closer Weekly that Jackman’s personal life showed signs of disruption as well. Friends expressed concern that he was undergoing a mid-life crisis, a struggle reflected in his shifting social circles. According to one confidant,
“He’s ditched a lot of people in his life that were steady influences and seems to be putting his whole focus on this new crowd. They’re all a lot younger than him and pretty wild.”
This shift compounded worries about Jackman’s future stability and decision-making.
Similarly, Furness reportedly believed Jackman’s mid-life crisis might affect his relationship with Foster negatively. A source explained,
“She felt Jackman would rely on his new girlfriend for support and offer her advice during tough times, but that he could also turn clingy and drive her away.”
The emotional ripple effects of their separation continue to unfold as both navigate their post-marriage lives.
