Hugh Jackman's ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness breaks silence on divorce as she speaks out on 'betrayal'

Deborra-Lee Furness has discussed her divorce from husband Hugh Jackman in a bombshell interview, branding it a 'traumatic journey of betrayal'.

They announced their separation back in 2023, after almost three decades of marriage.

The pair of Aussies tied the knot in a Melbourne suburb in 1996 - a year after first meeting on the set of the TV show Correlli, with both Jackman and Furness both working in the entertainment industry.

Throughout the duration of their marriage, the duo adopted two children together - a son, Oscar (now 25), in 2000, and a daughter, Ava (now 19), in 2005.

Announcing their break-up two years ago, however, the former couple's representatives described the decision as wholly amicable.

Deborra-Lee Furness has discussed the split (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

"We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage," the statement released at the time read. "Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth."

They added that their family 'has been and always will be [their] highest priority'.

However, 69-year-old Furness has since broken her silence on the split, telling the Daily Mail in a shock confession that the breakdown of their relationship proved to be a 'profound wound that cuts deep'.

"My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal," the mother-of-two began.

"However I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us.

"This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage."

Earlier this year, Jackman, 56, seemed to confirm speculation of a new romance with Broadway star Sutton Foster, 50, with whom he starred together in the 2022 revival of The Music Man.

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster appeared to confirm their romance earlier this year (Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

In January, the pair were spotted holding hands, with Sutton gushing over the Wolverine actor in an interview with PEOPLE Magazine.

"He's one of the greatest guys ever, an incredible co-star," she told the publication at the time.

Despite opting not to discuss the notion of her ex moving on, Furness did claim that, in retrospect, the experience has helped her to gain 'much knowledge and wisdom'.

"Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose," she continued.

"It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom."

The actress and producer went on to confess that, though the breakdown of her marriage was far from ideal, the 'one thing' it's taught her, is that 'none of this is personal'.

"We are all on our individual journeys and I believe that the relationships in our lives are not random," Furness added.

"We are drawn to people, we invite them in, in order to learn our lessons and to recognise and heal the broken parts of ourselves...

"I remain grateful."

Tyla has contacted representatives of Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster for comment.