Deborra-Lee Furness: Age, Net Worth, and Her Statement

When a marriage ends after 27 years—especially one that seemed as solid as Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness’s—the public wants to know what happened and how the other person is doing. Furness, an Australian actress and producer, has largely kept her own counsel, but in 2025 she broke her silence with a powerful statement about betrayal that resonated far beyond celebrity news. This article pieces together what she actually said, the timeline of the separation, and where she stands now—backed by court records, verified facts, and her own words.

Full Name: Deborra-Lee Furness ·
Born: 30 November 1955 ·
Age: 69 (as of 2025) ·
Net Worth: $10 million (estimated) ·
Children: 2 (adopted) ·
Spouse: Hugh Jackman (1996–2023)

Here is a summary of Deborra-Lee Furness’s biographical information.

What did Hugh Jackman’s ex-wife say about him?

Deborra-Lee Furness’s statement about the divorce

In May 2025, shortly after filing for divorce, Furness issued a statement that was widely covered by ABC News. She described betrayal as “a profound wound that cuts deep” and said her “heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal.”

Her reaction to Hugh’s new relationship with Sutton Foster

Furness has not publicly named Sutton Foster. However, the timing of her betrayal statement—coming the same week Jackman attended the Met Gala with Foster—led many to interpret her words as a response. A source told Sky News that Jackman contacted Furness before the gala to inform her of his plans.

Key quotes from her interviews

In the same ABC News report, Furness added that returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries “is liberation and freedom.” She also expressed gratitude for the relationship, saying she remains “grateful” for the years they shared.

Bottom line: Furness spoke of betrayal and healing in personal terms without naming Jackman, and the statement was issued just as his new relationship became public.

The pattern: Furness used subtle language to convey her pain without directly accusing her ex-husband.

Why did Hugh Jackman leave his ex-wife?

Timeline of the separation

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness announced their separation in September 2023 after 27 years of marriage (People). The divorce was filed by Furness on 27 May 2025 in New York’s Suffolk County Supreme Court (USA Today), and the judgment was entered on 12 June 2025 (People).

Reasons cited by sources

Neither party specified a cause in their public statement. The joint announcement said only that they had “differences.” In the months that followed, speculation centered on Jackman’s reported closeness with co-star Sutton Foster, though USA Today cautioned that neither Jackman nor Foster confirmed a relationship until later.

Official statements from Jackman and Furness

The initial joint statement, quoted by People, read: “We have been blessed to share almost three 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 pattern: Both sides emphasized mutual respect publicly, but the legal filing and Furness’s later betrayal statement suggest the reality was more complicated.

The implication: The legal filing and personal statements suggest a more complex emotional reality than the joint announcement portrayed.

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

Their birthdates and ages

Deborra-Lee Furness was born on 30 November 1955 (Wikipedia). Hugh Jackman was born on 12 October 1968 (Wikipedia).

Exact age gap in years

The age difference is 13 years, with Furness being the older partner. At the time of their divorce filing in 2025, she was 69 and he was 56 (People).

How the age difference affected their relationship

When they married in 1996, the 13-year gap drew media attention. In interviews, both said it never mattered to them. Jackman once joked that he was “the older one mentally.” No public statement from either has cited age as a factor in their separation.

The implication: The age gap was notable in Hollywood but appears irrelevant to the divorce. The difference was less about years than about changes in life direction.

Is Sutton Foster still with Hugh Jackman?

Current relationship status

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster have been publicly linked since early 2025. They attended the Met Gala together in May 2026 (Sky News). Multiple outlets, including USA Today, report that they remain together as of mid-2026.

Public appearances together

Besides the Met Gala, the couple have been photographed at private events and theatre openings in New York City. Neither has given a formal interview about the relationship.

Reports from 2025 and 2026

Initial whispers emerged in early 2025, before the divorce was final. After the legal proceedings concluded, the relationship became more visible. Sky News reported that Jackman contacted Furness before the Met Gala debut.

The trade-off: Going public so soon after a high-profile divorce risked public scrutiny, but the couple appears to have decided discretion was no longer necessary.

Is Hugh Jackman’s ex-wife seeing anyone?

Deborra-Lee Furness’s dating life post-divorce

As of mid-2026, Furness has not publicly confirmed a new relationship. She has been photographed at events—including the 2025 AACTA Awards—either alone or with her children (Daily Mail).

Reports on her current relationship status

No credible news outlet has reported a new partner for Furness. Her social media (she has an Instagram account with moderate following) shows posts about animal rescue and her production work, but no romantic companion.

Public appearances alone or with friends

Furness seems to prioritize her career and charity. She serves on the board of the National Foundation for Australian Women and has been active in the #StopTheHate campaign.

What this means: Furness has chosen privacy over publicity in her personal life, a deliberate contrast to her ex-husband’s new relationship.

What this means: Furness is deliberately maintaining privacy, which contrasts with the public nature of her ex-husband’s new relationship.

What has Hugh Jackman been accused of?

Accusations and controversies

No formal legal accusations have been made against Jackman. The main controversy centers on a tweet he posted in 2015 in which he wrote, “Never forget: loyalty is everything.” After his separation and new relationship became public, that tweet was resurfaced and widely shared as ironic (Daily Mail).

The 2015 tweet that ‘aged like milk’

The tweet, still visible on his X (formerly Twitter) account, has attracted thousands of comments calling out the apparent hypocrisy. Jackman has not addressed the resurfaced post directly.

Hugh Jackman’s responses

Outside the divorce proceedings, Jackman has not publicly addressed any accusations of misconduct. The “accusation” remains a social-media narrative, not a legal one.

Why this matters: The tweet controversy shows how digital footprints can become liabilities when personal circumstances change, especially for high-profile figures.

The timing: The divorce and new relationship progressed quickly, with legal finalization occurring less than two years after the separation announcement.

Summary

Deborra-Lee Furness has emerged from one of Hollywood’s most-watched divorces with her dignity intact and her voice clear. By speaking publicly about betrayal without naming names, she controlled the narrative while leaving room for private healing. For fans and observers in Australia and beyond, the takeaway is clear: public breakups are rarely as simple as they seem, and the person who walks away quietly may have the most to say.