SYDNEY: Australian actress Deborra-Lee Furness has spoken publicly for the first time since officially filing for divorce from actor Hugh Jackman, hinting at emotional pain and a possible betrayal that led to the end of their nearly 30-year marriage.
In an emotional statement to DailyMail.com, Furness, 69, reflected on the personal toll of the separation, which occurred two years ago but was formalised recently in court documents.
Her remarks have drawn widespread attention, particularly in light of ongoing speculation surrounding Jackman’s relationship with Broadway actress Sutton Foster.
“My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has gone through the traumatic journey of betrayal. It’s a profound wound that cuts deep,” Furness told DailyMail.com.
Her words have been widely interpreted as an indirect reference to Jackman, 56, and the dissolution of their long-standing partnership.
While neither party has commented directly on the rumours, recent media coverage in celebrity outlets such as Page Six and People has reported unconfirmed claims about Jackman’s closeness with Foster, who starred alongside him in the Broadway production of The Music Man.
Despite the pain, Furness said she has drawn strength from her faith and a belief in the greater purpose of difficult experiences. “Even when we are faced with adversity, it leads us to our greatest good,” she said.
Describing the process as a difficult but liberating journey, Furness shared that the experience helped her rediscover personal boundaries and a sense of self.
“It’s been a journey towards liberation and freedom—living within my values and not compromising them,” she said.
Furness ended her message with a note of reflection, stating, “The one thing I’ve learned is that none of this is personal… We are all on our own journeys.”
She added that relationships are not random but are “part of our healing and understanding of ourselves.”
Jackman and Furness were widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most enduring and admired couples, having met on the set of the Australian television series Correlli in 1995 and married later that year. The couple share two adopted children.
Their separation, confirmed in 2023, shocked fans and media alike. In a joint statement released at the time, the former couple said they had been “blessed to share almost three decades together in a wonderful, loving marriage,” and were moving forward with “gratitude, love, and kindness.”
