Renowned Australian showbiz expert, Peter Ford, has come forward to dispel the rumours surrounding the separation of Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness.
During an appearance on 6PR Breakfast with Millsy and Karl, Peter emphasized the longevity of the couple's relationship in the limelight, stating: "Twenty-seven years of marriage in a showbusiness marriage, that's a long time, that's like 186 years in real people's terms."
He pointed out that it isn't uncommon for couples in their age bracket to re-evaluate their relationships once their children have grown.
Peter suggested: "It's possible they've come to realize that the glue that once held them together isn't there anymore."
© Getty ImagesRecalling his own encounters with Hugh, Peter remembered seeing the famed Wolverine star at The Melbourne Theosophical Society.
"He was always pursuing courses on Buddhism, spiritualism, and meditation," Peter noted, "He's always been in search of something."
The world was taken aback on Friday when Hugh and Deborra-Lee announced their decision to part ways after 27 beautiful years together.
© Getty ImagesIn a heartfelt statement shared with PEOPLE, they expressed: "We have been blessed to share almost three 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 duo emphasized the importance of their family and urged for privacy during this transitional phase.
The couple, who shared their lives with their two children, Oscar, 23, and Ava, 18, have always been a symbol of enduring love in the industry.
LA exes: 5 Hollywood couples who divorced
© Jason LaVeris1. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Known by the legendary portmanteau 'Brangelina', the uber A-listers wed in a French chateau in 2014 some nine years after first becoming entwined on the set of 2005 blockbuster Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Things went south soon after with allegations of abuse surfacing in 2016, the same year Angelina filed for divorce. After seven years of legal wrangling light appeared at the tunnel's end, with the MailOnline reporting in July 2023 that the pair had agreed to a mediation which could resolve their dispute.
2. Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson
Ryan and Scarlett married in 2008 in a secretive ceremony on Vancouver Island. Both actors' stars were firmly in the ascendancy but professional success wasn't conducive to conjugal happiness, and their union was annulled just over two years later with Scarlett subsequently revealing the couple hardly saw each other.
3. Russell Brand and Katy Perry
The polysyllabic and polyamorous British actor/comedian/presenter met popstar Katy in 2009 during rehearsals for the MTV Video Music Awards. The following year the pair married in a traditional Hindu ceremony in India and all seemed set fair. But with Katy away on her California Dreams tour for most 2011, the couple supposedly determined they had different priorities and Russell filed for divorce - via text message - at the end of that year.
4. Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore
The couple divorced in 2013 after it emerged Ashton had been unfaithful on the weekend of their sixth anniversary. In 2015 Ashton remarried, this time to his That '70s Show costar Mila Kunis who was five years his junior - a notable change in dynamic from his relationship with Demi who was 15 years his senior.
5. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
The archetypal whirlwind romance, Tom and Katie got engaged after just seven weeks of dating in 2005. The pair didn't muck about and the following year they both welcomed daughter Suri and got married in a Scientologist ceremony in Italy. The marriage lasted for five and half years before Katie filed for divorce.
Despite the 13-year age difference, their bond seemed unbreakable. Fans were reminded of this past April, marking their 27th wedding anniversary, when Hugh shared a touching tribute on social media, celebrating their shared life, family, and the wonderful qualities he adored in Deborra-Lee.
Both Hugh and Deborra-Lee have enjoyed successful careers in the entertainment industry. Deborra-Lee, in fact, had already been a part of 20 film projects before she met Hugh on the set of the ABC TV series Correlli in 1995. They started their family in 2000 by adopting Oscar and later Ava in 2005.
Hugh has frequently spoken about the secrets to their lasting relationship. In an interview with Smooth Radio, he mentioned: "Honesty, intimacy, and making time [are vital]. You have to actively nurture the relationship."
© GettyRecently, Deborra-Lee starred in Robert Connolly's Force of Nature: The Dry 2, showcasing her versatility and talent.
On the other hand, Hugh has never been reticent about expressing his admiration for his wife. While promoting The Greatest Showman in 2017, he referred to Deborra-Lee as his 'best friend' and the pillar of support in his life.
He warmly recalled how they vowed never to spend more than two weeks apart, emphasizing how they've always been a team.
This commitment to sharing every aspect of their lives underscores the depth of their relationship. Hugh fondly reminisced: "We met on my first job when she was already a big star, and I was a nobody. We have shared everything, all the ups and downs, and always will."
