Hugh Jackman & Deborra-Lee Furness: Hollywood's 'Perfect Marriage' Falls Apart After 27 Years
Twenty-seven years, two adopted children, and a $387 million fortune. The split nobody saw coming.
Key Facts
What Happened
When Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness announced their separation in September 2023, the entertainment world was genuinely stunned. They had been Hollywood's gold-standard couple for 27 years, frequently described as proof that long marriages could survive fame. Jackman, one of the highest-paid actors in the world, had repeatedly credited Furness as the foundation of his life. She was 13 years his senior, they had adopted two children together, Oscar (born 2000) and Ava (born 2005), and they had been vocal advocates for adoption rights, particularly in Australia.
The split became more complicated when rumors emerged linking Jackman to Sutton Foster, his co-star in the 2022 Broadway revival of The Music Man. While neither Jackman nor Furness publicly confirmed or denied an affair, Furness made pointed public statements about betrayal. Sources close to Furness described the separation as deeply traumatic, not the mutual, amicable uncoupling the public statement suggested.
The financial stakes were enormous. The couple's combined fortune was estimated at $387 million, including multiple properties in Manhattan ($21 million condo), the Hamptons, England, and Australia. Furness delayed filing formal divorce papers until May 2025, reportedly to negotiate the best possible settlement. When she did file, the case was completed within a month, suggesting terms had been worked out privately over the intervening two years. The settlement included spousal support and medical coverage provisions for their adopted children.
The Jackman-Furness divorce shattered a public illusion. Interviews, social media posts, and red-carpet appearances had presented a picture-perfect marriage for nearly three decades. The case is a sobering reminder that the public face of a relationship reveals nothing about its private reality, and that even the longest marriages can end.
Legal Breakdown: Celebrity Divorce
Strategic Delay in Filing
Furness waited nearly two years before formally filing for divorce. This is a common strategy in high-net-worth splits: the delay allows time to take full stock of assets, negotiate privately, and reach a settlement before the public filing. By the time she filed, the terms were already agreed, enabling a swift resolution.
Multi-Jurisdictional Assets
With properties in the US, UK, and Australia, the Jackman-Furness divorce involved assets subject to different legal systems. International asset division requires specialized legal counsel and careful structuring to avoid double taxation and conflicting court orders.
Custody of Adopted Children
Adopted children have identical legal standing to biological children in divorce proceedings. Both Oscar and Ava were adults or near-adults by the time of filing, but the settlement still included provisions for their medical coverage and financial support, demonstrating that parental obligations do not end at a child's 18th birthday.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →There is no shame in a marriage ending after decades. Long marriages end for the same reasons short ones do: people change, grow apart, or breach trust.
- →Delaying the formal filing can be strategic. Use the time to inventory assets, secure legal counsel, and negotiate privately before going public.
- →Multi-country asset portfolios require specialized divorce attorneys. Do not attempt to divide international property without expert guidance.
- →The public image of a marriage tells you nothing. Focus on the reality of your own relationship, not the curated image others present.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.