Hugh Jackman’s Wife Was Criticized For Looking ‘Old’ & ‘Like His Mom’ But He Praises Her

Jul 03, 2023

Hugh Jackman is an Australian actor who is best known for playing the role of Wolverine in the “X-Men” film franchise from 2000 to 2017. The star has gone on to have a successful career both commercially and critically. He has won a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award and two Tony Awards. Jackman got his start working in theater and on television in Australia before he crossed over into the film industry in Hollywood.

The actor has played the lead role in such films as “Kate & Leopold,” “Van Helsing,” “The Prestige” and “Australia.” Jackman also starred as Jean Valjean in the epic musical film “Les Misérables,” for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. Another popular musical film led by Jackman is “The Greatest Showman.”

Jackman is a family man, and he has his own father to thank for that. When the actor was 8, his mother abandoned her five children due to postnatal depression. She sought out the help of her mother and sister in England and left her children with her husband in Australia. Later, Jackman’s sisters moved in with their mother while he remained in the care of his father, along with his two brothers.

In his personal life, Jackman has been married to Deborra-Lee Furness since 1996. The couple met on an Australian TV show called “Correlli.” They are a happy family now with two adopted children named Oscar, 23, and Ava, 17. Prior to adopting, Furness experienced two miscarriages. Together, Jackman and his wife overcame that hardship and now reside in New York with their beloved children.

Their love story has tested the tale of time, and it’s clear that their 13-year age gap has never gotten in the way of them finding long-lasting happiness with each other.

While Jackman is now known as a highly established actor in the entertainment industry, he was once just a young boy who had big dreams. However, he faced some difficulties during his childhood and had a somewhat challenging relationship with his mother, Grace. Jackman remembers how he felt after his mother left. As a young boy, it took him some time to understand that she wasn’t coming home.

“It was traumatic,” he said. “I thought she was probably going to come back. And then it sort of dragged on and on.”

He continued:

“I remember her being in a towel around her head and saying goodbye. (It) must have been the way she said goodbye. As I went off to school, when I came back, there was no one there in the house.”

Jackman’s mother didn’t tell anyone she was leaving until after she was already gone.

“The next day there was a telegram from England. Mum was there. And then that was it. Dad used to pray every night that mum would come back,” Jackman shared.

According to The Sun, Jackman was once furious with his mother for seemingly abandoning him and his siblings. After his parents divorced, Jackman’s sisters Zoe and Sonia went to live with Grace, his mother, in England. Meanwhile, Jackman and his brothers Ian and Ralph stayed in Sydney, Australia, with their father, Chris.

While Jackman had once had a very difficult relationship with his mother, he now knows more about the pain she was feeling and the hardships she was going through during his childhood. According to the same article by The Sun, Grace had suffered from undiagnosed postnatal depression. Fortunately, Jackman and his mother have since been able to build a beautiful bond.

As an adult, Jackman was able to come to terms with why his mother left and decided to forgive her.

“As I grew older I gained an understanding of why Mum did leave. I am 43 now and we have definitely made our peace, which is important,” he said. “I was always quite connected with my mum. I have a good relationship with her.”

The actor also said to Perth Now:

“My mother was not well. I always hoped she would come back, but I never blamed her for anything that went wrong. At the time, I was miserable and angry, and my brothers and I used to fight all the time.”

Today, Jackman has a family of his own, and it’s clear that they are his top priority. He is married to Australian actress and producer Furness. She was born in a Sydney suburb in New South Wales and raised in Melbourne. However, she traveled to New York City in the early 1980s to pursue her dreams of becoming an actress and studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Afterward, Furness went on to find work on stage and on the television series called “Falcon Crest.” However, she eventually went back to Australia to work on furthering her career there. It’s clear her hard work paid off as Furness rose to fame with the 1988 film “Shame.”

We are often used to hearing about celebrity breakups and make-ups, but it’s the anniversaries that we really love to hear about. One celebrity marriage that has gone the distance is Jackman and Furness’. The Australian couple has been together for over 27 years, and Jackman has shared touching tributes to his wife on social media.

It is always beautiful to see a couple as much in love now as they were when they first met. The 54-year-old actor met the love of his life, 67-year-old Furness, in 1995, when the pair were both working on the Australian drama “Correlli,” reported the Daily Mail. This means they have a 13-year age gap. They knew it was meant to be as they married a year later in 1996, and have been together ever since.

Speaking with PEOPLE, Jackman recalled: “My first job out of drama school — it was a massive break for me. I was really scared.” He continued:

“Deb, she was a big star. I get picked up, and Deb is in the front seat of the car. I’ll never forget. She took off her seatbelt and she turned around and put out her hand and took off her sunglasses and said, ‘Hi, I’m Deborra-lee Furness, nice to meet you.’ I remember thinking, ‘I like this girl.’”

Jackman admitted he developed feelings for Furness right away. He explained:

“When I met Deb, it was ten times better than my single life. She was very beautiful. She was unbelievably fun — this energy, this spirit — irrepressible. And she had a confidence in herself. I had a massive crush on her instantly.”

Jackman originally tried to ignore his crush but invited her over to dinner along with some friends, and they finally revealed their feelings to each other. He shared:

“She said, ‘I noticed you haven’t talked to me in like a week, what’s going on?’ I said, ‘I got a crush on you. I’ll get over it, I’m sorry.’ She goes, ‘Oh? Because I’ve got a crush on you too.’ I never in a million years thought she reciprocated.”

Although the happy couple has spoken highly about their love for each other, Jackman’s fans have not always been so kind to Furness. According to Us Weekly, outlets previously reported that their relationship was a “sham.”

“It is just wrong, it’s like, it’s a lie. It’s just offensive,” Furness said.

She continued: “If he was gay, fine, he would say he’s gay. It has gotten so out of whack … it’s stupid, yeah, it’s annoying, because it’s not true.”

People called Furness offensive names over the years as well. “HUGH JACKMAN LOOKS SO HOT AND HIS WIFE LOOKS LIKE A FAT SAMURAI WARRIOR WITH A BARBIE WIG,” one person tweeted. Another said: “Hugh jackman has a ugly old wife! :'( why hugh whyyyyy!!!!!” Another person tweeted: “Hugh Jackman’s wife is so old. She looks like his mom.”

Despite all the criticism that has come at his relationship, Jackman has continued to “celebrate” his “extraordinary” wife. In 2021, Jackman posted several gorgeous pictures of himself and his wife with the caption:

“Being married to you Deb is as natural as breathing. From nearly the moment we met ... I knew our destiny was to be together. In our 25 years - our love has only grown deeper. The fun, excitement and adventure more exhilarating; the learning even greater. I’m forever grateful to share our love, our life - and, our family together. We’ve only just begun. Deb, I love you with all my heart!”

On Feb. 14, 2023, Jackman shared another heartfelt post:

“Happy Valentine’s love. You light up the room wherever you go … your humor, generosity, wisdom and spirit shines so bright. I celebrate you on our 28th Valentine’s together. I ❤️ you.”

It looks like this couple will have many more happy years to come! 

What do you think about Hugh Jackman’s relationship with Deborra-Lee Furness? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your family and friends.