Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness have announced they are ending their marriage after 27 years as husband and wife.
“We were fortunate to spend nearly three decades as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. “Our journey is now changing and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth,” the couple said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
“Our family has always been and continues to be our highest priority.” We approach this next chapter with gratitude, love and kindness. “We thank you very much for your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition throughout our lives.”
The statement was signed by the couple “Deb and Hugh Jackman” and added: “This is the only statement either of us will make.”
Hugh Jackman splits from wife Deborra-Lee Jackman: The couple are ending their marriage after three decades together and issuing a statement saying they are moving on “with gratitude, love and kindness.”
The Australian couple shares two children together; Oscar, 23, and Ava, 18.
At 67, the Australian blonde is 13 years older than Hugh, 54, and the pair have previously said they have never spent more than two weeks apart since their wedding in 1996.
In April this year, the couple celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary and the Wolverine star posted a gushing tribute to his wife.
“I love you, Deb.” Today is our 27th wedding anniversary. 27 years! “I love you so much,” the actor gushed to his 79.1 million followers on social media.
This April, the couple celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary, and the Wolverine star posted a gushing tribute to his wife (including this recent photo of the couple).
Gushing post: Hugh paid tribute to his wife with this message on social media in April
Inseparable: At 67, the Australian blonde is 13 years older than Hugh, but since their wedding in 1996 (pictured in 1997) they have never spent more than two weeks apart.
“Together we have created a beautiful family.” And life. Your laughter, your spirit, your generosity, your humor, your sass, your courage and your loyalty are an incredible gift to me. I love you with all my heart.’
Although he is undoubtedly better known than his wife, Deborra-Lee had already made 20 films when she and Jackman met in 1995, starring together as a prison psychologist and a brain-damaged convict in the 10-part ABC series “Correlli.”
In 2000, The Music Man and Furness adopted 23-year-old son Oscar Maximilian, and in 2005 they adopted daughter Ava Eliot, now 18.
Family portrait 2012: In 2000, The Music Man and Furness adopted 23-year-old son Oscar Maximilian, and in 2005 they adopted daughter Ava Eliot, now 18
Cougar Vibes: In fact, Deborra-Lee had already made 20 films when she and Jackman met in 1995, starring in the 10-episode ABC series “Correlli” as a prison psychologist and a brain-damaged convict
“I think about honesty, intimacy and saving time [are the secret to a long and happy marriage]. You can’t just assume that everything is going well. “You have to take your time,” Hugh told Smooth Radio in February.
Deborra-Lee most recently played Jill Bailey opposite Eric Bana in Robert Connolly’s sequel Force of Nature: The Dry 2, which was released in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on August 24th.
Hugh has never been shy about talking about his marriage and praised Deborra-Lee while promoting his 2017 hit film The Greatest Showman.
In an interview, he described Deborra-Lee as his “best friend” and most important source of support in both his career and personal life.
Hugh said of his partner: “I’m married to the greatest woman in the world.” She’s great. We are best friends and share everything. She’s smart.’
Speaking about how they were never apart from each other for more than two weeks, he explained that it was because they wanted to “share everything together.”
He continued: “We always said we would never be more than two weeks apart.” Sometimes life and work go crazy.
“But we met at my first job when she was already a big star, I was a nobody.” “So we shared everything, all the ups and downs, and always will.”