Meet Hugh Jackman’s wife of 26 years, Deborra-Lee Furness: 13 years older than her Marvel star husband, the Australian actress is an avid champion of adoption and children’s rights

Sep 13 , 2022

How much do you know about Hugh Jackman’s wife, Deborra-Lee Furness? Photo: EPA-EPE

A love story for the ages: Jackman proposed to Furness after only four months of dating, despite the age gap … now, 26 years later, they’re still going strong

Furness is worth US$50 million, and splashed a chunk of her wealth on purchasing a triplex flat in New York City with Jackman for US$21 million in 2012

Hollywood relationships are notorious for often being short-lived, but Aussie actors Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness have battled back the stereotypes with their successful 26 years and counting of marriage. While Jackman has made an international name as a versatile and award-winning actor, Furness is actually not that far behind him and has her own accolades, be it in showbiz or in life. For the unacquainted, here’s what you need to know about her.

She studied in the US before returning to Australia

Deborra-Lee Furness in the film Shame (1988). Photo: Handout

Born and raised in Australia, Furness pursued acting studies in the US when she enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. After graduation in the early 80s, she snagged an acting gig and later appeared in the US prime-time soap opera Falcon Crest, before returning to Australia.

She is 13 years older than her hubbie

Actor Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness arrive at the 79th Venice Film Festival, September 6, 2022. Photo: Reuters

As the saying goes: “age is just a number”, Furness proves that the 13-year-old age gap with Jackman means nothing. According to People, Jackman was 27 and Furness was 40 when they first met in 1995 through Australian television show Correlli ‒ the former fell in love at first sight and made the first move by asking Furness out.

Deborra-Lee Furness, Hugh Jackman and Ivanka Trump attend the 9th annual Elton John Aids Foundation benefit at Cipriani, Wall Street, New York in 2010. Photo: WireImage

Although Furness initially had second thoughts about dating someone younger than 30, Jackman managed to win her over and apparently proposed just four months into the relationship.

Named NSW Australian of the Year in 2014

Deborra-Lee Furness is an avid supporter of adoption. Photo: @adoptchangeau/Instagram

After the couple adopted two children, Oscar Maximilian and Ava Eliot, Furness began to lead adoption campaigns. Her efforts included launching the National Adoption Awareness Week in 2008 to bring to light the difficulties faced by Australian families during the process of adoption.