The friendly split between Hollywood star Hugh Jackman and his wife of 27 years, Deborra-Lee Furness, has now turned bitter. Furness recently filed for divorce, nearly two years after the couple announced their separation, and she gave a statement to the Daily Mail that tells a very different story from the quiet, respectful breakup they had originally described. Her words reveal a deeply personal and emotional experience, calling the divorce a painful “journey of betrayal.”

Furness’s statement does not directly accuse anyone, but it makes clear that she has gone through serious emotional pain because of the end of her marriage. She described the betrayal as leaving a “deep wound,” showing how much-broken trust has hurt her.

“My heart and comion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal. It’s a profound wound that cuts deep, however, I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us.”

Hugh Jackman’s ex-wife speaks up

She continued, “This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage. 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.”

Despite the hurt, Furness sees her experience as a journey of personal growth. Her message focuses on how she has become stronger and more self-aware because of this hardship. By talking about the importance of staying true to herself, her values, and her boundaries, she describes her healing process as a way to rediscover who she is and find freedom even after her marriage fell apart. Her statement implies that this journey of self-discovery and a renewed focus on her own values has finally given her a sense of liberation.

Furness seems to view the pain of separation in a detached way. She suggests that the hurt of divorce is not a personal attack but rather a natural result of two people moving in different directions in life. This seems like an attempt to take the pain less personally and to see the situation as a chance for both people to grow, even though the pain of betrayal is still very real.

The timing of Furness’s statement, coming right after her divorce filing and mentioning betrayal, has led people to think about Hugh Jackman’s relationship with Sutton Foster, his co-star in the Broadway show The Music Man. Jackman and Foster were rumored to be romantically involved after the couple announced their separation in 2021. Furness did not name Foster in her statement, but the timing and context strongly suggest that Jackman’s new relationship may be part of why she called the divorce a “journey of betrayal.”

The couple’s long marriage, which lasted from their wedding in 1996 until their separation in 2021, makes the emotional pain Furness describes even more understandable. Being together for nearly thirty years shows how strong their commitment once was, and the end of such a long relationship must be a huge life change for both of them.

Hugh Jackman is now very openly in a relationship with Sutton Foster, and the two of them have decisively not been shy with their PDA — despite Jackman being legally married to Deborra-Lee Furness. And, as it turns out, their affection started long before the separation rumors circulated.

In September 2023, fans were legitimately shocked by the news that Jackman and Furness had decided to part ways. After all, the couple had been together for over three decades and were often celebrated for their seemingly never-ending commitment and loyalty to one another. However, a recent report has raised some questions about the Wolverine actor’s faithfulness during this marriage.

An insider from the 2021 Music Man musical — where Jackman and Foster were co-leads — recently told The Daily Mail that their closeness backstage was obvious well before their romance became public. According to the source, “At intermission, Sutton and Hugh would stand and hug for one or two minutes in front of the entire cast coming up the stairs.” The insider described how the pair would share long embraces during breaks, still in their costumes.

“The cast had to climb four flights of stairs to get to the dressing rooms. And they would stop on Hugh’s floor and just hug in their costumes,” the insider said. Apparently, this was a common occurrence, happening every night during their shows. Moreover, the insider described the situation as “odd,” adding that “in a way, it was uncomfortable.” This discomfort stemmed from the fact that the cast essentially had to avoid acknowledging the actions of the leading actors, all while maintaining an air of normalcy.

“As the entire cast is trying to get to their dressing rooms upstairs, we all had to the two of them hugging,” they continued. “They didn’t even hide it! It was a long embrace, and it was weird.” Ultimately, the insider also claimed that the Anything Goes actress appeared “needy” for affection and that she “needed the hug from the big Superman.”

Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man first hit the stage in 2021 and maintained its place on Broadway until 2023 — the same year Jackman and Furness announced their separation. At the time, Sutton was married to screenwriter Ted Griffin, whom she had wed in 2014. In October 2024, the actress officially filed for divorce, and earlier this month, Jackman and Foster were seen together publicly for the first time.

Their story, however, goes way back. The two have apparently been acquainted since 2005 as two of the biggest Broadway stars of all time. However, it was only recently that they shared the stage together, with Jackman playing Harold Hill and Foster portraying Marian Paroo.

On stage, the two played a couple and were required to “ionately make out on stage” as part of the performance. According to the insider, even during rehearsals, their performances were “very ionate.” However, as someone who is involved in the musical, they also noted, “it’s supposed to be [ionate] for their characters.”

Perhaps though, the most intricate aspect of their time together in the musical came after the show had ended. According to the source, the two would normally leave separately — with Sutton allegedly often waiting for “Hugh to go to his car, and then she would go to her car.” However, on some occasions, they would reportedly go on “double dates” together. Yikes.

The interest has reacted after Hugh Jackman and his new girlfriend, Sutton Foster, were spotted kissing, just days after they publicly confirmed their blossoming relationship. 

Last week, the new couple — who starred opposite each other in the Broadway musical, The Music Man — were seen holding hands while enjoying a date in Santa Monica. At the time, sources claimed that the Wolverine star’s ex-wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, was “relieved” to see images of the pair, since they confirmed her “suspicions” that Jackman would pursue a relationship with Foster. Now, Jackman has gotten tongues wagging (quite literally) yet again, with clips of him kissing Foster currently doing the rounds on social media. 

The clips were captured during the pair’s trip to the drive-through of an In-N-Out restaurant in San Fernando Valley. Their order, you ask? Fries and burgers with a side of tonsil tennis. Some of the snaps, which were acquired by The Daily Mail, show the couple kissing inside their car, while others see them take their PDA kerbside, again kissing while exiting the vehicle and walking together out the front of the fast food chain. The paparazzi shots were reportedly taken earlier this month, days before the wildfires broke out across Southern California. 

Naturally, the intensity of the shots — which see Foster cradling Jackman’s face — has caused a stir on social media, with some reveling in the fulfilment of their musical theater fantasies and others decrying the very public display of affection. “How did [Jackman] manage to make two kisses with that woman seem like he was forced to do it at gunpoint,” one onlooker wrote on X, with another adding that they were “bothered by the Hugh Jackman and Sutton foster thing.” Elsewhere, in the wake of the clip, some onlookers accused the pair of having “a staged relationship” because “the PR is PR-ing.” 

Others recalled the time Jackman jovially kissed Amanda Seyfried on her birthday, saying her seemed to have “more ion” with the actress than with Foster. On the opposing side, some were thrilled by the news of Jackman and Fosters relationship when images of the couple first appeared earlier this month. “I was so focused on Tom Holland and Zendaya soft launching their engagement that I missed Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster soft launching their relationship,” a quipped, while one more level-headed onlooker simply had questions around the safety of kissing while driving.

Wherever you land on the Jackman/Foster love-train (or in this case, love-car), the new clips are the latest development in the fallout of the X-Men star’s divorce. Jackman and Furness announced their split in September of last year, citing their decision to “pursue our individual growth.” A few weeks later, Foster announced her own separation from her estranged husband of ten years, Ted Griffin, with speculation around her relationship with Jackman quickly ensuing. 

Not helping all the rumors was Furness’ social media activity, after her was caught “liking” a gossip post claiming Jackman had “run off with his mistress.” She has not yet commented on the more recent pictures of her ex-husband smooching his new boo at an In-N-Out, but in between the natural feelings of sadness and grief, I’m sure she also now has a hankering for a burger. Heck, I certainly do.

After months of swirling rumors, Hugh Jackman has confirmed his new relationship, a move which has reportedly left his ex-wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, feeling “a sense of relief.” 

In case you missed it, the Deadpool & Wolverine star this week stepped out with his long-rumored new girlfriend, actress and Broadway star Sutton Foster. The pair — who starred opposite each other in the musical The Music Man — were seen holding hands during an outing in Santa Monica, but the public display of affection was met with relief from Furness, according to one source. “Deborra-Lee feels a sense of relief to be honest with you,” an insider told The Daily Mail. 

According to the source, Furness took the images of Jackman and Foster as confirmation that “her fears and suspicions were warranted,” since she had been “plagued by suspicions” that the pair were an item ever since her split from Jackman back in September. “She was told [their relationship wasn’t true, and that they were nothing more than close friends who worked together,” the source claimed, “but something in her heart told her that this was not true.” Furness is said to be relieved that she “trusted her intuition and her intuition was right.”

This, according to the insider, has allowed Foster to “finally feel at ease,” meaning she “can now fully close this chapter and move on.” It marks the most recent development in the shocking split between Jackman and Furness, which they explained in a statement last year was to “pursue our individual growth.” One month later, Foster filed for divorce from Ted Griffin, her estranged husband of ten years. Rumors quickly followed that Foster, who played Marian Paroo opposite Jackman’s Harold Hill in The Music Man, had struck up a romance with her co-star, though not without a dose of social media shadiness on Furness’ part.

In November, fans noticed that Furness’ private Instagram had liked a video by blogger Tasha Lustig, who claimed Jackman was “running off with the mistress” and planning to soft launch her new relationship. The ‘like’ was then co-signed by Furness’ friend, Amanda de Cadenet, who wrote in the comments of Lustig’s video that she was “on point” and that Furness was “about to have her glow up any moment.” For his part, sources close to the Wolverine star said his public outing with Foster came at the right time. 

“Enough time has ed for Hugh to stop playing games and hide his feelings and his relationship,” an insider told The Daily Mail. “They both wanted to be considerate of their exes and anyone else that might be upset, but they aren’t interested in hiding.” It’s not the first time an image of Jackman has got tongues wagging in recent months, with the actor causing a stir with beach-bound images during his trip to his native Australia in December. 

In other Jackman news, the actor will soon embark on From New York With Love, a series of 12 concerts at Radio City Music Hall that’s been billed as a retrospective of his career, with performances of his previous musical credits in shows and movies like The Boy From Oz, The Greatest Showman, and The Music Man. The word is still out on whether he’ll enlist the help of his Broadway co-star-turned-girlfriend, but if all else fails, he will always have the true love of his life; Ryan Reynolds.  

Deborra-Lee Furness is done playing coy about what led to the breakdown of her marriage to Hollywood star Hugh Jackman.

For months, there has been speculation about the Deadpool & Wolverine actor secretly romancing a Broadway starlet he met while working on a musical he did last year. While we now know who that starlet is, there was never any official confirmation that the two went behind Furness’ back to engage in a tryst. 

Up until recently, Furness never reacted to the reports floating around about her ex-husband’s relationship with Broadway star and actress, Sutton Foster. So, when she liked a comment made by her friend about the allegedly messy situation she had to deal with pre-split, it meant something was really up, and that it might just have destroyed her marriage. 

Last week, the Aussie producer’s friend, British actress and photographer Amanda de Cadenet, left a comment on an Instagram video by gossip blogger Tasha Lustig, discussing the rumor that Jackman cheated on his wife with Foster while co-starring on the Broadway musical The Music Man.

“Besties, do you all when I said this man was up to no good [and] he blindsided his wife, and he’s running off with a mistress?,” Lustig says in the video, before giving a rundown of what happened between Jackman and Furness, who allegedly gave up her “whole life and career” for the actor. 

According to Lustig, Furness started to worry when Jackman was cast in the Broadway musical, which ran from Dec. 21 to Jan. 2023. Purportedly, the X-Men actor became “obsessed” with Foster, who, by the way, was also married at the time they did the show together. It all sounds even messier than any of those gory scenes in Deadpool & Wolverine, but perhaps the only gore here is the bad blood between the two former spouses.

When Jackman officially announced his divorce from Furness, he allegedly sought help from Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, who had experience dealing with a similar situation. Lustig claims that after receiving advice on how to deal with the imminent PR crisis, Jackman and Foster appeared ready to soft-launch their romance and make it seem like the “Disney [love] story of the ages.”

In response to Lustig’s story time, de Cadenet commented, “You are on point with this one. My beloved friend Deb is about to have her glow up any moment FYI!” According to Page Six, this led to Furness liking the same post using her private Instagram . 

Reps for Furness, Jackman, and Foster did not react when asked for comment by the media outlet. Meanwhile, sources quickly jumped on the opportunity to spill the tea about Jackman and Foster’s romance, with one of them telling Us Weekly this week that the couple’s colleagues knew what was happening behind the scenes during the Broadway show’s run. 

“A lot of people on Broadway knew, and we kept it quiet because both of them are so nice and great people. Everyone respected their privacy. But there was an affair and overlap. They are really happy now.”

Furness and Jackman officially put an end to their marriage in September of last year, after being husband and wife for 27 years. On the other hand, Foster officially filed for divorce from Ted Griffin, her husband of 10 years, last month. 

True love doesn’t always last forever. Heartbreaks are almost inevitable for anyone circulating the wondrous world of relationships, and sometimes breakups come to us unexpectedly – even to someone like Kylie Jenner or Sofia Vergara.

After all, heartbreak does not discriminate, and even A-list celebrities suffer at the relentless and unbiased hands of Cupid. Even those who seemingly had the perfect relationship on and off screen have been breaking each other’s hearts, and lately, celebrity breakups have been happening more often than ever.

Since the year started, names like Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift have made the headlines because of the recent ending of an era. Capable of making us question the true meaning of love, even other people’s relationships are enough to make us grieve on their behalf. Call it a parasocial relationship but hey, we can’t really help but get invested in other people’s business. And with so many relationships calling it quits in just half a year, here are all the major ones that saw a grim ending in 2023.

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott

Everything related to the Kardashian-Jenner clan is bound to become a hot topic – even if it is Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott separating in their yearly fashion. This time, after the second (or third? We’ve lost count) time breaking up, the duo parted ways once more in January.

With an off-and-on relationship since their first link in 2017, the news of the duo breaking up didn’t necessarily shock fans, but it still remained a big deal across the media. What’s more, according to Harper’s Bazaar, the duo are no longer working on getting back together, but seem to be amicably co-parenting their children, Stormy and Aire.

Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez

One of the most recent breakups to occur at the time of writing was that of Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez. Shaking up the entire internet, the two-year marriage came to an end unexpectedly, with neither Gomez nor Grande speaking on the subject. The duo was first seen together in 2020, and nine months after, they confirmed the officiating of their relationship.

Although no one knows for sure the reason for the separation and divorce, it was enough to make fans mourn this relationship, especially after seeing how happy Grande had seemingly been for the past two years. Maybe “Thank U, Next,” may need a re-write soon.

Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef

Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef broke everyone’s hearts by announcing their divorce earlier this month. After six years of marriage, and with two kids (aside from Martin’s twins), the singer announced his divorce from the painter, as they both try and navigate their separation while maintaining a healthy co-parenting relationship for the sake of their children.

The Puerto Rican superstar met the Swedish painter back in 2015 through Instagram after catching one of his art pieces at a gallery. A year later, the couple announced their relationship to the cameras on the red carpet for the 2016 amFAR Inspiration Gala. Despite spending almost a decade together, the duo decided to part ways, putting their friendship and respect first and foremost. Back to livin’ la vida loca.

Billie Eilish and Jesse Rutherford

Billie Eilish and Jesse Rutherford have an understated contentious relationship with the public. Some loved them, others loved to hate them (and their age gap). In the end, the criticism wasn’t enough to get to their heads, as they still lasted for seven months before parting ways amicably back in May. The reason remains unclear, but according to sources, the two remained good friends.

Part of the reason for their controversial break was their large age gap. Eilish, 21, started dating Rutherford, 31, last year and they were immediately a target for criticism – especially Rutherford. Regardless of that age gap, they seem to still hold mutual love for one another, even if they’re not together anymore.

Sofía Vergara and Joe Manganiello

Sofía Vergara and Joe Manganiello‘s relationship lasted for eight years after the couple met in 2014, though Vergara was in a relationship at the time. After splitting from Nick Leob, in just a year their love story was formally officiated in a grand star-studded three-day ceremony, with plenty of eyes to catch the lovestruck actors sharing their vows in the most lavish manner.

Unfortunately, the love story would last a little under a decade, with the couple splitting after citing the (usual) irreconcilable differences. Many fans quickly pointed out there were obvious signs that the couple had split, including Vergara’s impromptu trip to Italy sans Manganiello. In the end, the reason for their divorce may never be disclosed, but the heartbreak of seeing this couple and Grande and Gomez announcing their divorces on the same day left us sad and disappointed.

Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn

The separation of the decade may belong to none other than Miss Swift herself. After six years together, in the most low-key relationship possible between two celebrities, Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn decided to split. The news of their breakup came in April, and soon enough, Swifties shared their sorrows and their inability to believe in true love anymore. To this day, no one truly knows why they broke up, but there is lots of speculation involved.

The most popular theory derives from their very discreet relationship. Many fans seemed to believe that Alwyn did not like to stay in the public eye for long periods of time, especially with the biggest pop star in the world in his arms. Wishing for privacy, fans speculated that the actor couldn’t handle the pressure that came with dating the Grammy-winning singer.

Taylor Swift and Matty Healy

They say that after the storm, there is always a rainbow, and Matt Healy might’ve just been that splash of color in Swift’s life. For a little bit, at least. The couple never announced their relationship officially, but after being seen publicly by each other’s side while Swift was on tour, their relationship status quickly became a phenomenon on social media. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for the best of reasons.

Criticized for his previous remarks and questionable attitudes, Healy was promptly bashed for his contentious interviews, podcasts, and everything else. While some fans of the pop singer were more than content after seeing her happier than ever, the large majority of fans seemed to harshly criticize their relationship, namely, Healy himself. Unfortunately, after a month of dating, it appears the backlash was too intense to ignore, and the couple seemingly called quits in June.

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness

Throughout his entire career, Hugh Jackman has always been accompanied by none other than his iconic wife, Deborra-Lee Furness. The couple wed in 1996, continuously being used as a reference point in debates about the existence of true love. After all, a quarter of a century together was no small feat.

However, the couple announced their divorce in September, affirming that it was an amicable separation. After nearly three decades together and two children later, the Aussie pair decided to pursue different routes individually. They’re still seen together at events, proving that their friendship is just as iconic as they are.

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari

Britney Spears’ 2023 was a rollercoaster of events. From releasing her memoir, where she candidly addressed her past with Justin Timberlake, to finally breaking free from her conservatorship that bound her to a toxic team and her father – the singer is now able to revel in all her glory and fame. And then, in August, the singer became officially single.

Spears and Asghari first crossed paths in 2016 during the shooting of the music video “Slumber Party,” and in 2022, the two tied the knot. However, in August 2023, they decided to part ways, citing “irreconcilable differences.” It later came to light that Asghari sought financial compensation for their time together but fortunately, he wasn’t entitled to a single penny. To that, we say: we’re glad he left Britney alone.

Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro

Yet another incredibly unexpected breakup involved the Latin singers Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro. The couple met in 2019, and from then on, they became virtually inseparable, all while openly itting to prioritizing their careers. Rosalía and Rauw quickly became the internet’s favorite IT couple, not only due to their good looks but also because of their chemistry.

With numerous interviews and t performances, everyone wholeheartedly believed they would last a lifetime. They were even engaged for quite some time, but apparently, the right moment to officiate their relationship never came. In July, they announced their split through the release of their music video for “Beso.” It’s been months, but yes, we’re still recovering.

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner

Perhaps the most contentious breakup this year was none other than Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner. While many fans of the actress were already uneasy about their seven-year age gap, everything took a turn when news of their separation hit the headlines. To this day, the reason for the couple’s breakup remains unknown, but plenty of speculation has circulated.

The duo shares two children, adding even more complexity to their very public split, especially due to the added pressure of an international battle for child custody. Accusations from both teams flooded social media, creating a public spectacle that made the situation a game of “he said, she said” for months, with no end in sight.

Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner were a combination that we never expected to happen. Whether you love them or love to hate on them, at the end of the day, we have to it that they were a good-looking couple. They turned heads everywhere they went, but ultimately, no one ever really ed the fact that the Latin singer was dating a socialite like Jenner.

Fearing that he would just become one of the many men cast upon the ‘Kardashian curse,’ many Bad Bunny fans wholeheartedly despised their relationship. Ultimately, their fears were heard, and People announced the couple reportedly broke up in December this year. Their last sighting dates back to October, but neither of them has publicly addressed the split – at least, other than some cryptic lyrics.

Cardi B and Offset

Now, Cardi B and Offset aren’t exactly strangers to breakups. The rappers have been on and off together since 2016, and we never truly know their relationship status. Their most decisive split came in 2018 when Cardi publicly announced their separation in a now-deleted Instagram video. But in 2019, the pair reconciled.

Since then, it appeared that not even cheating could have gotten in their way… until 2020 when Cardi announced their divorce. Then the said divorce was called off and the couple reverted to maintaining a once again tumultuous relationship. But on Dec. 11, Cardi announced that she was single, and this time, fans believe their relationship has ended for good.

Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson

Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson also had quite a controversial year. They were together since 2021 and no one really cared about their relationship status. At least, not until Jackson went on a jealousy rampage on social media in July 2023, publicly criticizing Palmer for wearing a sheer dress at Usher’s concert.

The fitness instructor attempted to humiliate Palmer, who never commented on the situation besides profiting from shirts saying “I’M A MOTHA,” – a nod to one of Jackson’s tweets. Nonetheless, the duo remained together – against better judgment – until Nov. 9 when Palmer issued a restraining order against Jackson and filed for full custody of their son, thus confirming their breakup. About time.

Here’s to hoping 2024 will be a little kinder for celebrity love.

2023 is certainly living up to its title of being the worst year ever — whether it is in of canceled shows, celebrity controversies, or the semi-forgotten claims of Hugh Jackman being gay cropping up as the actor ends 27 years of his marriage to Deborra-Lee Furness.

Fridays mostly slip off into the weekend quietly, embracing its position as the slowest day of the week. But not today. Sept. 15, 2023, will go down in history as the day faith in true love took a big hit after Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness announced their decision to go their separate ways after spending almost three decades being the epitome of relationship goals.

Throughout their marriage, the couple has spoken highly of each other, with a lion’s share of Deborra-Lee’s duties including defending her husband who had been facing claims of being a closeted gay man for years.

When and why did the rumors of Hugh Jackman being gay spark?

You know after Red, White & Royal Blue released on Prime Video recently, the most trending queries were whether its lead cast, Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine, are gay in real life as well. Yep, their on-screen chemistry felt that real. While social media is all the rage now, even back in 2003, becoming one with your character and giving an authentic performance led to some very speculations, especially when it comes to a play starring Hugh Jackman.

Though there exists no official origin story for the long-standing speculation about Jackman’s sexuality, the Logan star pinpointed its starting point during his chat with U.S. Radio (via Gay Times) in 2018. Apparently, back in 2003, the actor was part of the Broadway musical The Boy from Oz and played the part of an openly gay singer-songwriter called Peter Allen. 

In one of the scenes, he shared a kiss with his co-star Jarrod Emick, a kiss that went on longer than expected because Jackman couldn’t stop laughing. 

“I was literally just locking lips… I started to laugh so hard. So I stay kissing him, because I thought, ‘I’m just going to laugh. I’m going to stay here until it subsides’ and it never subsided and the whole audience could see my body shaking, so they started.”

This scene, in The Greatest Showman star’s opinion, is what kickstarted the assumptions that “he is actually gay” and “Jackman’s marriage to Deborra-Lee is a sham to hide his closeted sexuality.”

Though the actor has refrained from rising to the bait and has been cool with many not understanding that they are crossing a rather private boundary with their questions and speculations, the rumors hounding his wife have always bothered him. 

During his appearance on Australia’s 60 Minutes with Deborra-Lee, Jackman addressed that he often finds the rumors frustrating, but mostly he got bothered on behalf of his wife “cause I see Deb go, ‘Ah, this is just crazy!'” She also called the comments about his alleged homosexuality “offensive.”

“If he was gay, fine, he would say he’s gay, It’s annoying because it’s not true.”

As the heartbreaking news of the couple’s divorce spreads, the not-so-dated speculation is once again rearing its head courtesy of the many who don’t understand how someone being a celebrity doesn’t instantly snatch away their right to privacy or give others the right to cook rumors about them.

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness have announced that they’re going their separate ways, and if the concept of love now feels a bit foreign and painful for you, you’re certainly not alone.

Hugh and Deborra-Lee shared a t statement today, and while the pair maintain that the decision is mutual and they’re amicably moving forward, sharing only gratitude, love, and kindness, it almost feels wrong to imagine a realm in which they’re not together.

 “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.”

Deborra-Lee and Hugh met on set in 1995, and they’ve been together ever since, navigating everything from career changes to cancer, raising children together, and exploring the world alongside one another in the years since. The way they spoke to and about one another is the stuff dreams are made of, and while our hearts break a little bit for them today, their long relationship together and their focus on family moving forward means that they’ll always be linked to one another, holding the other in high regard.

So, just how long were Hugh and Deborra-Lee married, and when did they meet? As usual, we’ve got you covered.

How many years were Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness married?

Deborra-Lee and Hugh were married for 27 years, and the life they built together is certainly something to write home about. On April 11 of this year, Hugh shared a post on Instagram giving his wife a shoutout on their 27th wedding anniversary, saying in part: “Your laughter, your spirit, your generosity, humor, cheekiness, courage, and loyalty is an incredible gift to me.”

Of course, it wasn’t only on wedding anniversaries that you’d find Hugh sharing notes of love for his wife. There were many instances when he simply took to his social channel to give her a moment of praise for everything from helping him through his cancer journey to being the happiest person in any room:

“Deb is the lightest, most optimistic person I’ve ever met in my life. Like, if you ever want to play who’s the happiest person in the room, Deb wins.”

The news of their split might have come as a bit of a shock for fans who have followed their love story for decades. But that old adage we’ve all been told more times than we can count (and more times than we’d often like) has to ring true in this one: everything happens for a reason. We know, *eye roll*…right?

The thing is, coming to this decision had to entail a lot of thought, love, and respect for one another and what they’ve built; and we have a feeling that above all else, they mean it when they say this next chapter of their lives is for personal growth but also for keeping their family as their highest priority.

When did Hugh and Deborra-Lee meet?

Hugh and Deborra-Lee met in 1995 when they were on the set of Cornelli and they’d go on to marry the next year. While their love story took off quickly, Hugh told People that he knew from the moment they met that she was something special; it was one of the “few” things in his life that have been very obvious to him:

“I knew very early, I knew before Deb knew. Even when she tried to break up with me, I knew. She kind of [broke up with me], a little bit. Early on, three weeks in. I managed to talk her out of it, thank God. I’m a very indecisive person, Deb really knows this about me. I can count on my hand the amount of times in my life anything has felt that clear to me, and when it happens it’s such a relief for me.”

They tried to keep their bond a secret at first for a couple of reasons. Initially, Hugh felt like falling for his “leading lady” wasn’t right, but he couldn’t deny their bond. When he finally told her how he felt, he was honored to know that her heart was feeling all the flutters for him, too:

“I said, ‘I got a crush on you. I’ll get over it, I’m sorry.’ She goes, ‘Oh? Because I’ve got a crush on you too.’ I never in a million years thought she reciprocated.”

Their romance only grew stronger from those intense few weeks, and they’d go on to have two children together. As the news of their split becomes public, we’re sending our best wishes to the pair and their family as they navigate through the next chapters of their lives. As for us? We’ll be watching The Greatest Showman, listening to “Never Enough,” and crying into a tub of Ben and Jerry’s.

Standing tall at 6’3″, a musical enthusiast, and Australian, is there an actor who seems more opposed to X-Men‘s Wolverine than Hugh Jackman? The Canadian ball of rage burst onto the pages of X-Men in the ’70s, coming to only 5’3″ in the comics, but something about Jackman’s bond with the character just makes sense despite their apparent differences.

Following his appearance in the 2000 live-action debut of the character in X-Men, Jackman became an icon. Going on to reprise his role for 17 years, it seems impossible that anyone else could have been chosen.

But according to Jackman himself, that could have been a reality if he had listened to his wife’s initial opinion on the role. Deborra-Lee Furness had been a constant system for the actor, but when first reading the pages of the script, she wanted nothing to do with the character.

Deborra-Lee Furness thought Wolverine was ridiculous

Over the years, Jackman has told the story of embarking on the role of a lifetime. Before the time of Marvel Studios and superheroes permeating pop culture, it was a rare film that showcased comic book characters. When the actor first got the script, he shared it with his wife, who could not have been more dismissive. Extra‘s Jerry Penacoli often interviewed Jackman while wearing claws, prompting the actor to recount the tale:

“She’s reading the script, like: ‘Wolverine senses danger, his nostrils flare and snikt, claws come out of his hands.’ You can’t do this. This is ridiculous.”

Jackman continued, saying that his wife had no interest in ing the role, even though he decided he would try out for it. Since then, he has been adamant that was the only time his wife had been wrong regarding his auditions — and how wrong she was.

Wolverine became Jackman’s most well-known role, one he keeps returning to throughout his career. Even though he officially retired from the character in Logan when the character indisputably died, he couldn’t help but return to the role in Ryan Reynold‘s Deadpool movie.

Since Logan takes place in the distant future, Deadpool 3 will not impact the devasting death of Wolverine. Taking place before that event, and most likely several character variants, the legacy of Logan will not be besmirched. We may be able to see a more comic-accurate version when the film finally hits screens; according to promotional material, Jackman has been photographed in outfits that are practically ripped from the pages of the comic. If this is the case, we’re glad Jackman did not hang up his claws for good.

Ladies and gentlemen, the rumors are true. After 27 years of marriage, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness are getting a divorce.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE today (September 15), the couple shared the devastating news, shocking fans across the globe:

“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.”

Concluding the t statement with the words “this is the sole statement either of us will make,” fans are left heartbroken and confused, wondering what went wrong between the two lovebirds.

While we are unsure as to why Jackman and Furness are calling it quits, this surprising news has brought up something that the duo has been experiencing backlash for for their entire relationship: their age gap.

You may be wondering, what exactly is the age difference between Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness, and why is it such a big deal? Keep scrolling to find out for yourself…

What is the age difference between Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness?

Meeting on the set of the Australian television series Correlli back in 1995, Furness was 40 years old, while Jackman was only 27 years old.

At the time, Furness had over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry under her belt, while Jackman was fresh out of acting school.

The X-Men star gushed about the moment he met his former wife in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE six years ago, where it is clear that the age gap was never a concern of his:

“My first job out of drama school — it was a massive break for me. I was really scared… Deb, she was a big star. I get picked up, and Deb is in the front seat of the car. I’ll never forget. She took off her seatbelt and she turned around and put out her hand and took off her sunglasses and said, ‘Hi, I’m Deborra-Lee Furness, nice to meet you’… I realized, ‘I’ve got a crush on my leading lady. This is the thing you do not do. It’s unprofessional and embarrassing.'”

While a 13-year age gap is not something we see every day, Jackman and Furness have always been anything but traditional, with their whole entire love story being out-of-the-ordinary.

The duo got married on April 11, 1996, just 11 months after meeting.

During their one-of-a-kind wedding ceremony, Jackman wore his glasses, and Furness wore white slacks instead of a gown, ultimately causing the duo to make headlines for their non-traditional marriage.

Could backlash that Jackman and Furness receive about their age gap and non-traditional tendencies have hastened the demise of their marriage? The world may never know…

It’s a sad fact that marriage and Hollywood mix like oil and water. Every once in a while a powerhouse couple emerges to combat this pessimistic theory, but in the end, they all seem to meet the same fate: divorce. 

For 27 years, Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness weathered the storm that is marriage, gluing those shattered bits of our hearts into something resembling hope. Known around the boulevard as Hollywood’s heavyweight couple, it truly came to feel as though nothing could tear these two apart; not rumors of Jackman being gay or that their marriage was a smoke screen. At every corner, you could find them proclaiming their undying love for one another, which makes the news of their divorce that much more heartbreaking. 

Why have Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness decided to divorce?

On Sept. 15, 2023 — 27 years after they met in 1995 — Jackman and Furness released a t statement announcing their divorce. Speaking exclusively to People, they expressed gratitude for their marriage but ultimately shared a desire to “pursue our individual growth” separately. 

“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 Wolverine actor and Australian actress share two kids, Oscar, 23, and Ava, 18. In their t statement, they expressed love for their family and asked for privacy as they maneuver this next chapter of their lives. 

“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.”

No other reason was given for the split, and as far as anyone knows, there wasn’t any foul play or malice behind the decision. The statement concluded with a resolute sign-off: “This is the sole statement either of us will make.”

What has the reaction been to Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness’ divorce?

Interspersed with periodic sentiments of lust at a now-single Jackman, the overall consensus seems to be of shock. It’s hard to believe in love when at every corner a seemingly happy couple — even the ones with nearly three decades’ worth of love under their belt — calls it quits. It’s not a good day to be a hopeless romantic.

Amid a never-ending sea of divorce announcements — Jeannie Mai and Jeezy as well as Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner being just two — the news of divorce from Jackman and Furness was not on people’s 2023 bingo card. Or 2024, 2025, or 2026, for that matter. 

Rage is an acceptable emotion given that it’s hard to believe in love after a bombshell like this. From fans who idolized Jackman and Furness’ marriage to seven-degree strangers who share a surprisingly mathematical connection with them, the news has been a tough pill to swallow.

Indeed, Jackman and Furness’ divorce will go down in the Hollywood history books as one of the greatest split-ups, the likes of which include Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, Madonna and Guy Ritchie, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, and many, many more.