The news that Deborra-Lee Furness had formally filed for divorce from Hugh Jackman after 27 years of marriage sent shockwaves through both Hollywood and their native Australia—made more striking by the revelation that the split had been delayed for months by bitter negotiations over their $250 million fortune.

The filing, submitted in a Sydney court, marked the end of a relationship once celebrated as one of Tinseltown’s most enduring, and a public acknowledgment of a private struggle that friends say left both stars emotionally drained.

“They tried everything to avoid this,” a source close to the couple told The Daily Mail. “But when your lives are so intertwined—financially, professionally, personally—it’s impossible to untangle without pain.”

Furness and Jackman’s union had long defied expectations. They met in 1995 on the set of the Australian TV series Correlli, where Furness, a 39-year-old producer and actress, was cast alongside Jackman, a 26-year-old up-and-comer.

The age gap—13 years—drew headlines, but their quick connection silenced critics. They married in 1996, with Jackman later calling Furness “the smartest, funniest, most generous person I’ve ever known.”

The couple adopted two children, Oscar (21) and Ava (18), and built a life split between Sydney, New York, and the Hamptons—publicly affectionate, privately grounded, and seemingly unshakable.

When they announced their separation in November 2023, citing “growing apart,” fans were stunned. But the real drama, insiders said, was unfolding behind closed doors: a battle over assets that turned a amicable split into a high-stakes negotiation.

$Jackman’searnings—estimatedat$180 million—stem from his 25-year run as Wolverine, blockbusters like Les Misérables and The Greatest Showman, and lucrative endorsements for brands like Lancôme and Rolex. Furness, a powerhouse in Australian TV (she executive produced the hit series Packed to the Rafters), is worth an estimated 70million.

$70million.Thecomplexityliesintheirsharedholdings:a$20 million cliffside mansion in Sydney’s Vaucluse neighborhood, a $12millionpenthouseinNewYork’sTribeca,a$9 million Hamptons estate, and stakes in production companies and real estate.

Adding pressure: the couple had no prenuptial agreement when they married, though sources say they updated their financial arrangements in the 2000s as Jackman’s fame skyrocketed.

“Without a prenup, every asset becomes a negotiation,” family law attorney Sarah Ryan told People. “And when you’re dealing with global properties, investment portfolios, and earning potential, it’s a minefield.”

Friends said the sticking points were the Sydney home—where the family spent holidays—and Jackman’s production company, Seed Productions, which Furness helped launch.

“Deborra feels she deserves credit for building Hugh’s career,” a confidant said. “She was his manager early on, his biggest advocate. This isn’t just about money—it’s about respect.”

The emotional toll was evident in the couple’s rare public comments. In a joint statement after their separation, they emphasized “love and respect” but avoided details.

Jackman, in an interview with 60 Minutes, admitted, “Marriage is hard. We’ve had our struggles.” Furness, more private, posted a photo of a sunset with the caption: “Grateful for every chapter.”

By early 2024, however, the mood shifted. Sources said Furness, 66, grew frustrated with the drawn-out process and decided to file, telling friends, “I can’t live in limbo anymore.”

The divorce papers, obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald, list “irretrievable breakdown” as the reason and request joint custody of their adult children—a formality, but one that underscores their commitment to co-parenting.

The filing also shed light on their financial impasse. Jackman, 55, proposed a 50-50 split of liquid assets but argued that his future earnings (including Deadpool 3, set to earn him $20 million) should remain separate.

Furness’s team countered that her role in his early career—managing his auditions, negotiating his first contracts—entitled her to a larger share. “She built his brand when he was unknown,” a source said. “This isn’t just about what they have now—it’s about what she helped create.”

The couple eventually reached a tentative agreement, sources said, with Furness securing the Sydney mansion and a 30% stake in Seed Productions, while Jackman kept the New York and Hamptons properties. Both will retain their personal earnings and endorsements.

Public reaction to the divorce was a mix of sympathy and fascination. Fans flooded social media with tributes to the couple’s decades of partnership, while tabloids dissected the financial details.

“It’s sad to see such a beloved couple split, but the money fight makes it real,” one Twitter user wrote. “Even ‘perfect’ marriages have messy parts.” Others criticized the media’s focus on the fortune, with The Guardian noting, “Deborra-Lee and Hugh’s story isn’t just about dollars—it’s about 27 years of love, loss, and growth.”

For all the headlines, those close to the couple stressed the human element. Friends said Furness and Jackman had spent months in therapy, trying to save their marriage before accepting separation. “They still care deeply about each other,” a mutual friend told US Weekly. “But sometimes, growing apart is more painful than letting go.”

The couple’s children, both adults, were said to be supportive. Oscar, a college student, and Ava, who’s pursuing acting, attended family dinners with their parents in the months leading up to the filing. “The kids are their priority,” the friend added. “They’ve made that clear.”

The divorce also reignited conversation about gender dynamics in Hollywood marriages. Furness, a trailblazer in Australian entertainment, had often taken a backseat to Jackman’s global stardom—a choice she once called “a partnership, not a sacrifice.”

But in recent years, she’d spoken more openly about the challenges of balancing her career with his. “I’ve had to fight to be seen as more than Hugh’s wife,” she told The Australian Women’s Weekly in 2022.

The divorce, some feminists argued, was as much about her reclaiming her identity as it was about dividing assets. “Deborra-Lee isn’t just splitting a fortune—she’s splitting a narrative,” said author and cultural critic Clementine Ford. “That’s worth more than any mansion.”

In the weeks after the filing, both stars gave glimpses of their post-marriage lives. Jackman was spotted filming Deadpool 3 in London, his usual upbeat demeanor intact but friends noting a “quiet sadness.”

Furness, who’d stepped back from producing during the negotiations, announced a new project: a documentary about women in Australian TV. “I’m excited to focus on work that matters to me,” she told The Sydney Morning Herald.

The couple remained civil, attending Ava’s high school graduation together and sharing a brief hug that went viral. “They’re not enemies,” a source said. “They’re just two people who built a life—and now have to build two.”

Legal experts predicted the divorce would be finalized by year’s end, with both sides eager to move on. The financial settlement, while substantial, paled in comparison to the emotional cost, insiders said.

“Hugh kept saying, ‘I just want her to be happy,’” one friend revealed. “Deborra would nod and say, ‘Me too.’ But happiness after 27 years? It’s complicated.”

For fans, the split was a reminder that even the most seemingly perfect marriages are fragile. For Furness and Jackman, it was the end of an era—but also a chance to redefine themselves.

In a rare Instagram post after the filing, Jackman shared a black-and-white photo of the couple laughing on a beach, with the caption: “Grateful for every day. Forever family.” Furness liked the post, but didn’t comment—a small gesture, but one that spoke to the quiet respect that remains.

In the end, the divorce wasn’t just about dividing a $250 million fortune. It was about two people who loved each other deeply, built a life together, and then had to let go.

The money made it messy, but the love made it human. And as they move forward—separate but connected, co-parents and ex-spouses—the world is reminded that even in Hollywood, some endings are just new beginnings.