Hugh Jackman and wife Deborra-Lee’s relationship timeline as they announce divorce after 27 years of marriage
Posted by  badge Boss on Sep 16, 2023 - 05:43AM
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness were together for almost 30 years when they announced their divorce in September (Picture: Rex/Shutterstock)

Deborra-Lee Furness and have announced their divorce after 27 years of marriage.

The Marvel star, who is set to reprise his role as Wolverine in the upcoming Deadpool 3, confirmed the news on Friday .

They wrote: ‘We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage.

‘Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.’

The couple had been together for almost 30 years and welcomed two children together.

But how did Hugh and Deborra-Lee meet and what did their relationship look like?

1995 – Hugh and Deborra-Lee meet and become engaged

The future husband and wife met while appearing together on an Australian drama series (Picture: Getty Images)

The Logan star and fellow actress Deborra-Lee first met in 1995, while working together on Australian mini-series Correlli.

Hugh played prisoner Kevin Jones, who is paired with prison psychiatrist Louisa Correlli, played by his future wife Deborra-Lee.

Years later, Hugh told the Sunday Today Show he ‘knew two weeks in to meeting Deb that we were going to be together for the rest of our lives.’

It appears this was true, as just months later Hugh got down on one knee and proposed.

1996 – Hugh and Deborra-Lee marry in Australia

They were married a year later, with Hugh getting down on one knee jut months after they met (Picture: Getty Images)

One year after first meeting, Hugh and Deborra-Lee married in their native Australia on April 11, 1996.

The ceremony took place in St John’s, Victoria, a suburb of the city of Melbourne, with Debora wearing an off-the-shoulder white jumpsuit with a train and choker necklace rather than the traditional dress.

In 2021, Hugh shared a throwback snap from the big day to celebrate their anniversary, saying ‘being married to you Deb is as natural as breathing.’

2000 – Hugh and Deborra-Lee welcome their first child

Hugh and Deborra-Lee welcomed their son Oscar in 2000 (Picture: Liaison)

Hugh and Deborra-Lee did not have biological children, with the couple struggling with IVF and going through several miscarriages.

They adopted a son, who they named Oscar Maximilian, in 2000.

Oscar is now 23 years old.

2005 – Hugh and Deborra-Lee welcome their daughter Ava

Their family was complete when they adopted baby Ava in 2005 (Picture: Disneyland)

In 2005, they adopted daughter Ava Eliot, now 17.

Hugh has often spoken proudly of his family, previously telling the Herald Sun: ‘I don’t think of them as adopted – they’re our children.

‘We feel things happened the way they are meant to. Obviously, biologically wasn’t the way we were meant to have children.’

2012 – Hugh surprised on stage by Deborra after months apart

The couple got through months of long distance as Hugh worked around the world (Picture: Getty Images for Urban Zen Foundation)

By the time the Tony Awards came round in 2012, Hugh and his wife had been apart for four months.

The actor’s filming commitments could take him to any corner of the world – and being surprised by his wife, who presented him with a special Tony award for his humanitarian and Broadway work, left him in tears.

Visibly emotional as he accepted the award, he told her: ‘I love you with all my heart. I know how much you hate public speaking. This is probably the greatest thing you’ve ever done for me.’

2016 – Hugh and Deborra-Lee celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary

April 11, 2016, marked a milestone anniversary for Hugh and Deborra-Lee.

The couple celebrated 20 years of marriage, with Hugh marking the occasion on Instagram with a throwback snap of the ceremony.

He wrote simply: ’20 years ago on this day.’

2019 – Hugh surprises Deborra-Lee right back with their wedding song

Hugh serenaded Deborra-Lee with their wedding song at a date on his one-man show (Picture: WireImage)

Actor and musician Hugh took his one-man show The Man. The Music. The Show on tour in 2019, and at its final stop had a surprise in store for Deborra-Lee, who was in the audience.

He walked from the stage to her seat, singing Frank Sinatra’s All The Way – the song they danced to at their wedding.

2021 – The couple celebrate 25 years of marriage

In 2021, Hugh and Debora-Lee marked 25 years of marriage – their silver wedding anniversary.

He celebrated the occasion with a heartfelt post on Instagram with a snap from their wedding day.

In a caption, he wrote: ‘Being married to you Deb is as natural as breathing.’

He went on: ‘In our 25 years – our love has only grown deeper. The fun, excitement and adventure more exhilarating; the learning even greater. I’m forever grateful to share our love, our life – and, our family together.

‘We’ve only just begun. Deb, I love you with all my heart!’

2023 – Hugh and Deborra-Lee announce divorce

Their marriage came to an end in 2023 after close to 30 years together (Picture: WireImage)

In September, after 27 years of marriage and two children, the former couple announced they were getting divorced.

Writing in a joint statement to People Magazine, they wrote: ‘We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage.’

‘Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.

‘Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness.

‘We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives.’

‘This is the sole statement either of us will make.’