Hugh Jackman’s Ex-Wife Deborra-Lee Furness Breaks Her Silence on ‘Betrayal’ as Their Divorce Is Finalized

Hugh Jackman’s ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness is speaking out for the first time since filing for divorce from the actor.

“My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,” the 69-year-old Australian actress said in a statement to the Daily Mail Tuesday, May 27.

Furness and the Deadpool & Wolverine star, 56, wed in 1996 before announcing their amicable separation in 2023 after 27 years of marriage.

She called their split “a profound wound that cuts deep.”

“However I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us,” Furness said. “This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage.” 

According to the producer and philanthropist, the process has helped her as she “gained much knowledge and wisdom.” 

“Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose. It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom,” she told the outlet.

Furness shared the “one thing” she’s learned 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. We are drawn to people, we invite them in, in order to learn our lessons and to recognize and heal the broken parts of ourselves…I remain grateful,” she concluded.

In early January, Jackman was photographed holding hands with his former Music Man costar Sutton Foster for a low-key, laughter-filled night out for dinner in Santa Monica, Calif.

Foster, 50, filed for divorce in October 2024 from husband Ted Griffin following 10 years of marriage.

While speaking to PEOPLE at the 2024 Drama Desk Awards in June, Foster called Jackman “one of the greatest guys ever, an incredible costar.” During a joint appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers to promote Music Man in May 2022, the actress said, “The show is so joyful, and I’m having the time of my life playing opposite this guy.”

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Furness and Jackman announced their separation in September 2023, sharing an exclusive statement with PEOPLE: “We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.”

The former couple share two children: son Oscar and daughter Ava.

Their divorce filings indicate the terms are uncontested and will only need a sign-off from a judge. A rep for Furness did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.