Hugh Jackman’s $250M Divorce Battle Takes a Bitter Turn

Hugh Jackman’s Divorce Takes an Ugly Turn as Money Battle Erupts

So much for parting ways with “gratitude, love, and kindness.” Hollywood power couple Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness are discovering that ending a 27-year marriage isn’t quite as simple as their heartfelt statement made it sound. What started as an amicable split has reportedly evolved into a heated battle over their massive $250 million fortune.

The estranged couple, who shocked fans with their separation announcement in September 2023, are now allegedly locked in tense negotiations that have delayed their official divorce filing. According to insiders, Deborra-Lee, 69, believes she’s entitled to a significantly larger piece of the financial pie than her Wolverine ex is willing to slice off.

Financial Stalemate Freezes Divorce Proceedings

Though the pair seemed poised to file divorce papers in New York as early as January, sources close to the situation reveal they’ve hit a significant roadblock. “Hugh and Deborra-Lee have not yet filed for divorce because they are struggling to reach an agreement on how to divide their assets,” a source told the Daily Mail.

The source didn’t mince words about the core issue: “Deborra-Lee feels entitled to more money than Hugh is willing to offer.” With an estimated $250 million fortune at stake—accumulated during their nearly three-decade marriage—the negotiations have apparently turned from friendly to frosty.

The former couple, who are parents to son Oscar, 24, and daughter Ava, 19, are reportedly trying to navigate this new reality while determining how to divide their substantial wealth. After 27 years of building a life together, untangling their financial web has proven more challenging than either anticipated.

New Love Blooms While Marriage Wilts

Adding fuel to the already smoldering situation is Hugh’s blossoming romance with his former Broadway co-star Sutton Foster. The 56-year-old actor has been publicly stepping out with Foster, 50, whom he met while starring together in “The Music Man” in 2022.

Us Weekly broke the news in November that the pair’s professional relationship had evolved into something more intimate. Interestingly, Sutton was reportedly still married to scriptwriter Ted Griffin when she first connected with Hugh, eventually filing for divorce in October 2024.

Meanwhile, Deborra-Lee has allegedly kept her distance from her former spouse, with sources suggesting she was blindsided by how quickly Hugh moved on. Some of the actor’s Australian friends are reportedly “disgusted” with him for seemingly abandoning his wife and flaunting his new relationship.

The Pandemic Pressure Cooker That Broke Them

What led to the dissolution of one of Hollywood’s most enduring marriages? According to insiders, cracks began forming during the COVID-19 pandemic when, like many couples, Hugh and Deborra-Lee found themselves spending unprecedented amounts of time together in close quarters.

“Their separation has been stressful, hard and not fully amicable,” a source revealed to Us Weekly, highlighting that post-split tensions have arisen over “certain” unspecified issues. Despite the emotional rollercoaster, “They’re moving forward as [best they can] despite hurt feelings and pain,” the source added, noting that healing “will take a while” after such a long partnership.

From Anniversary Tributes to Divorce Courts

The dramatic turn in their relationship seems even more poignant considering Hugh’s gushing tribute to Deborra-Lee just months before their separation announcement. In April 2023, celebrating their 27th wedding anniversary, the actor posted on Instagram: “I love you Deb. Today is our 27th wedding anniversary. 27 YEARS!! I love you so much. Together we have created a beautiful family. And life.”

He praised her laughter, spirit, generosity, humor, and loyalty—qualities he said he cherished deeply. Fast forward just five months, and the couple was announcing their split, stating they had “decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.”

With Deborra-Lee reportedly considering a return to Australia and Hugh openly dating in America, the geographical and emotional distance between the former lovebirds continues to grow. Sources suggest that despite initially feeling devastated, Deborra-Lee experienced a sense of relief after seeing photos of Hugh with Sutton and is now reportedly ready to dip her own toes back into the dating pool.

What’s Next for Hollywood’s Former Golden Couple?

As Hugh and Deborra-Lee continue to navigate their high-stakes divorce negotiations, fans of the once-beloved couple can only watch from the sidelines. The pair who once symbolized Hollywood relationship goals now find themselves in the same contentious territory as many of their celebrity peers.

Whether they’ll eventually reach a financial agreement that satisfies both parties remains to be seen. One thing seems certain—the amicable split they initially promised has morphed into something far more complicated, proving once again that even the most picture-perfect Hollywood marriages can unravel in messy, all-too-human ways.

Representatives for both Hugh and Deborra-Lee have not responded to requests for comment on their ongoing divorce proceedings or their current relationship status. As this celebrity drama continues to unfold, it serves as a sobering reminder that after 27 years together, ending a marriage is rarely as simple as issuing a joint statement filled with gratitude and love.