Hugh Jackman’s estranged wife Deborra-Lee Furness was seen without her wedding ring while out to lunch with friends in New York on Tuesday – just days after the couple’s shock split announcement.
The 67-year-old actress and the 54-year-old actor announced it in a press release on Friday. that they had separated after 27 years of marriage, saying they moved forward “with gratitude, love and kindness.”
Furness looked jovial during her meal with her girlfriends and, following in her ex Hugh’s footsteps, she was seen to have removed her wedding ring.
The blonde beauty cut a chic figure in a black dress, elegantly styled hair and a radiant makeup palette as she chatted with her friends, who were no doubt providing moral support through her breakup.
In a statement released Friday, Hugh and Deborra said: “We have been fortunate to share nearly three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful and loving marriage. Our journey is now changing and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth,” the couple said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
Ring removed: Hugh Jackman’s ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness was seen without her wedding ring while out to lunch with friends in New York on Tuesday – just days after the couple’s shock split was announced
Happier times: The 67-year-old actress and the 54-year-old actor announced in a statement Friday that they had separated after 27 years of marriage, saying they move forward “with gratitude, love and kindness.” (photo from April 2023).
“Our family has been and always will be our biggest priority. We begin this next chapter with gratitude, love and kindness,” he continued.
“We greatly appreciate your understanding of respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives.”
The former couple signed the statement as “Deb and Hugh Jackman,” adding, “This is the only statement either of us will make.”
The Australian couple share two children together; Oscar, 23, and Ava, 18.
Jackman briefly spoke to paparazzi on the street Saturday and admitted that he and his soon-to-be ex-wife were struggling with their separation.
As he walked down the street, he revealed that “it’s a tough time,” but refused to discuss the breakup further.
Last April, the couple had just celebrated their anniversary and Jackman posted a heartfelt tribute to his wife on Instagram.
“I love you Deb. Today is our 27th wedding anniversary. 27 years! I love you so much,” the actor wrote in his caption.
Lunch: Furness looked jovial during her meal with her girlfriends and, following in her ex Hugh’s footsteps, removed her wedding ring
Laugh out loud: Deborra was seen laughing while having lunch with her girlfriends
Banter: the actress was spotted sharing a joke with her pals in New York
Days After: The release comes five days after the separation announcement
Smiling: The actress was busy with her friends during her shared drama
Cat: The group undoubtedly provided moral support to Deborra
Chat: The group shared a joke while having lunch outdoors
Support: The star burst out laughing with his friends
This April marked the couple’s 27th wedding anniversary, and the Wolverine star posted a heartwarming tribute to his wife (including this photo of the couple)
Gusting article: Hugh paid tribute to his wife in April with this social media post
“Together we created a beautiful family. And life. Your laughter, your wit, your generosity, your humor, your insolence, your courage and your loyalty are an incredible gift to me. I love you with all my heart,” he shared in a heartfelt message.
Although he is undoubtedly better known than his wife, Deborra-Lee had already made 20 films by the time she and Jackman met while playing a prison psychologist and a suffering inmate of brain damage in the 10-episode series Correlli on ABC TV in 1995.
In 2000, the Music Man actor and Furness adopted son Oscar Maximilian, 23, and in 2005, they adopted daughter Ava Eliot, now 18.
“I think honesty, intimacy and saving time (are the secret to a long and happy marriage). You can’t just assume things will go as planned. You have to take the time,” Hugh told Smooth Radio in February.
Deborra-Lee recently played Jill Bailey alongside Eric Bana in Robert Connolly’s sequel Force of Nature: The Dry 2, which was released in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on August 24.
Hugh has never been shy about talking about his marriage and praised Deborra-Lee while promoting her hit film The Greatest Showman in 2017.
In an interview, he called Deborra-Lee his “best friend” and main source of support in his career and personal life.
Hugh said of his partner: “I’m married to the greatest woman in the world. She is incredible. We are best friends and we share everything. She is intelligent.’
Family portrait 2012: In 2000, the Music Man actor and Furness adopted their son Oscar Maximilian, 23, in 2005, they adopted their daughter Ava Eliot, now 18 years old.
Sparks: In fact, Deborra-Lee had already made 20 films by the time she and Jackman met while playing a prison psychologist and a brain-damaged inmate in the 10-episode series ABC’s Correlli in 1995.
Things move quickly: It was only a few weeks after they started dating that Hugh asked Deborra-Lee to marry him, and the couple married in 1996.
Speaking about how they never spend more than two weeks apart, he explained that it’s because they want to “share everything” together.
He continued: “We always said we would never spend more than two weeks apart. Sometimes life and work get crazy.
“But we met at my first job when she was already a big star, I was a nobody. So we shared everything, all the ups and downs, and we always will.