Hugh Jackman’s Ex Deborra-Lee Furness ‘Starting to Heal’: ‘She Still Had Plenty of Life in Her’

Deborra Lee-Furness kept a low profile in the wake of her unexpected divorce from Hugh Jackman, but a source exclusively tells Closer she’s been busy quietly rebuilding her life from the bottom up after her A-list ex blew up their marriage. While Hugh’s enjoying his new romance with Sutton Foster, the burned Aussie actress is welcoming love in her life again, too.

“It’s taking time, but Debs is finally starting to heal and talk about what she wants in her life going forward,” the insider explains. “Her friends have all rallied around her, she’s got an incredible support system that’s been there every step of the way helping her to pick up the pieces of her life and they are encouraging her to start dating again.” 

Deborra, 69, was married to the Wolverine star, 56, for 17 years before they gave news of their shocking split in September 2023. Everything seemed to be going swimmingly in their marriage from the outside, but behind the scenes Hugh was getting close with his stage costar Sutton, 50, after the two joined the cast of the Broadway revival of The Music Man in 2022. 

“We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage,” Hugh and Deborra said in a joint statement to People at the time. “Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.”

Sutton herself is also a two-time divorcée: first married to actor and singer Christian Borle, from 2006 to 2009, and then to screenwriter Ted Griffin, who she married in 2014 and divorced in October 2024, leading many to suspect the Tony-winning actress of sacrificing her marriage to be with Hugh, too.

The source notes that for Deborra, it’s been difficult to deal with the prospect of moving on as her ex so happily flaunts his new whirlwind romance, but she’s slowly warming up to the prospect of dating again.

“For a long time, she was closed off to the idea, but she’s finally opening up to the idea and actually seems excited about the possibility of meeting someone knew.”

After the devastating heartbreak, the Correlli actress turned inward and began focusing on her philanthropic efforts and personal healing as the cofounder of the Adopt Change organization, which works to improve the lives of children in need of permanent families. Though, time heals all wounds and she’s now emerging from the separation with a newfound appreciation for the time she has left.

“There’s no reason she has to sit back and just be a spinster,” the source adds. “She still has plenty of life left in her and she does want companionship.” 

“She’d love to have some romance in her life again because, truth be told, that part of her marriage was pretty dead for a long time before the divorce. The idea of getting wooed again is exciting. Her priority now is to rediscover herself and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.”