By ELIZABETH LEONARD
When Hugh Jackman and his wife, Deborra-lee Jackman, announced on Sept. 15 that they were separating after 27 years of marriage, the news caught many fans by surprise. The Australian pair had long emanated a playful and enduring ease while navigating the spotlight, Hugh’s superstardom and a private family life with their kids Oscar, 23, and Ava, 18. But out of the public eye, the marriage had evolved to a once-unforeseen point: Hugh, 54, and Deb, 67, agreed their union as they’d known it was ending. “We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage,” they told People in an exclusive statement. “Our journey now is shifting, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.”
While the decision—shared with loved ones and their inner circle ahead of the announcement—was mutual and amicable, it was far from easy. “It was not a snap decision—they took a lot of time and consideration of everything, and they made this decision together,” says a source close to the couple. “They’re devastated. It’s very hard.”
The couple’s love story began in 1995 on the set of the Australian TV series Correlli. Deb, already an established actress, and Hugh, then an upstart actor fresh out of drama school, quickly fell for each other, and the costars wed on April 11, 1996, less than a year later. “Deb, she was a big star. . . . I get picked up, and Deb is in the front seat of the car. I’ll never forget,” Hugh told People in 2017 of their auspicious first meeting. “She took off her seat belt, 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 remember thinking, ‘I like this girl.’ ”
Over the years, the actor, who broke out in 2000 playing Wolverine in what would become the blockbuster X-Men franchise, has always been effusive in his appreciation for Deb and their close-knit family of four. “She has more fun than anyone I know on this planet,” he told People in 2006. “She’s pure passion, that girl. Without her I can get quite serious and a little introverted. She’s brought out a lot of the confidence to be who I am.” At the 2012 Tony Awards, when Deb surprised him by presenting him with a special Tony for his work on Broadway as a performer and a humanitarian, Hugh was visibly moved. “Why any of this means anything, that is because my incredible wife and my kids support me,” he said from the stage.
They stayed united even while working through their marriage in recent months, attending the Met Gala, a Pink concert and Wimbledon side by side. In April, in tribute to their 27th wedding anniversary, Hugh wrote, in part, “I love you Deb. . . . Together we have created a beautiful family. And life. Your laughter, your spirit, generosity, humor, cheekiness, courage and loyalty is an incredible gift to me.”
After decades of shared memories, the pair are looking to move forward with grace and without acrimony. “Our family has been and always will be our highest priority,” they said in their statement. “We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love and kindness.”
In recent days Hugh was photographed solo in N.Y.C. as well as meeting up with his friend Ryan Reynolds. Those close to him foresee that he and Deb will remain a team in one way or another. “They will always be a family,” says the source close to the couple, “and they’ll always be co-parents and best friends.”
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: STEVEN PASTON/PA IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES; JAMIE MCCARTHY/GETTY IMAGES; GREG NOAKES/ABC-TV