Hugh Jackman and
Deborra-Lee Furness announcing their separation:
Hugh
Jackman and Wife Deborra-Lee Furness Announce Separation After 24 Years of
Marriage
Hollywood
power couple Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness shocked fans today by
announcing they are separating after 24 years of marriage. Jackman, 54, and
Furness, 66, met in 1995 on the set of the Australian TV show Correlli and
married the following year. They have been considered one of the most stable
and low-key celebrity marriages in Hollywood.
In
a statement released to the press, Jackman said "It is with profound
sadness that Deborra and I have decided to separate after 24 wonderful years of
marriage. This is an intensely personal decision that weighs heavily on us
both. We have come to realize that we want different things from life and that
our relationship has run its natural course."
Furness
also released a statement saying "Hugh and I are both grateful for the
wonderful life we've had together and are proud of the two incredible children
we've raised. After much soul-searching, we came to understand that we want
different things moving forward and have decided ending our marriage is best
for both of us."
Jackman
and Furness share two children together - Oscar, 21, and Ava, 16. The statement
emphasized that they will continue to co-parent their children and remain
friends. "Our kids will always be the most important people in our lives
and we will continue supporting each other as parents," said Furness.
Friends
of the couple expressed shock at the news, describing Jackman and Furness as
deeply devoted to one another. "They always seemed like the perfect
Hollywood couple - very low-key and down to earth. Their marriage just seemed
incredibly solid," said a source close to the family. "No one saw
this coming at all."
Speculation
has run rampant about what caused the separation after so many years. Some
insiders say the demands of Jackman's Hollywood career took a toll. As one of
the biggest movie stars in the world, he spends much of the year traveling for
film projects. Furness, who has stepped back from acting in recent years, may
have grown weary of his constant absence.
Others
point to their 24 year age gap as a possible factor. At 54, Jackman may be
ready for a new phase of his life while Furness, now 66, is less interested in
big changes. Whatever the reason, it seems this power couple simply grew apart
after decades together.
Jackman
and Furness have asked for privacy as they navigate their new relationship
status. But fans everywhere are still in disbelief that a marriage that
withstood Hollywood for 24 years could be ending. Only time will tell what's
next for the formerly inseparable duo.