Deborra-Lee Furness ‘still loves’ her ex-husband Hugh Jackman and even ‘purposely tries to forget’ that their romance is over to help cope with their separation – but she is also ‘eager to dive into’ a new relationship, insiders have claimed.
The Australian actress, 68, and Hugh, 55, announced their shock split in September after 27 years of marriage, telling fans they separated ‘to pursue our individual growth.’
Now, a source close to the Shame alum has revealed exclusively to DailyMail.com how she is handling the separation, claiming ‘pursing life’ without her long-time husband has been ‘very daunting’ for Deborra-Lee – but that ‘leaning into her work’ has been her ‘saving grace.’
‘It has been very daunting to pursue life without Hugh, she still loves him even though she knows that their romance is over,’ they said.
Deborra-Lee Furness ‘still loves’ her ex-husband Hugh Jackman, even though she ‘knows their romance is over’ – but is ‘eager to dive into’ a new relationship. Pictured last year
A source close to the Shame alum has revealed exclusively to DailyMail.com that ‘pursing life’ without her long-time husband has been ‘very daunting’ for Deborra-Lee (pictured this week)
‘It is every emotion every day. Happy, sad, mad, confused – and she even purposely tries to forget it is even over [sometimes], whatever makes her feel better at the moment.
‘She is taking it day by day but don’t feel too bad for her. She is also a very strong woman and will get through it.’
The insider revealed that despite how hard it has been, Deborra-Lee is ‘excited’ to eventually find ‘love again.’
‘She’s taking things slow and steady but trying to embrace her new normal,’ they continued.
‘Instead of romance, she has leaned into work as her saving grace as she moves forward with life without Hugh.
‘She is eager and excited, along with being apprehensive, to dive into a relationship and love again.
‘She has to find herself again and then everything else will fall into place. It will take some time but she is getting better everyday.’
DailyMail.com has contacted a representative for Deborra-Lee for comment.
Deborra-Lee and Hugh announced their split last year, explaining at the time that they wanted ‘to pursue individual growth.’
The Australian actress, 68, and the Greatest Showman star, 55, confirmed that they were splitting after 27 years of marriage back in September. Pictured at the Met Gala in May 2023
The insider revealed that despite how hard it has been, Deborra-Lee is ‘excited’ to eventually find ‘love again’
‘We have been blessed to share almost three decades together in a wonderful, loving marriage,’ the couple said in a statement to People.
‘Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.
‘Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition.’
The pair tied the knot in 1996 after meeting on the set of Correlli in 1995. During the course of their marriage, they adopted two children: son Oscar, 23, and daughter Ava, 18.
Earlier this week, Deborra-Lee opened up about what the future holds for her following their shock split.
She admitted to The Daily Telegraph: ‘Change, transition, evolution is a little frightening and we are all a bit scared of it but I think it is probably our greatest gift.’
The star added that scoring a role alongside Eric Bana in his new movie Force of Nature: The Dry 2, has helped keep her busy.
DailyMail.com previously revealed that Hugh was also throwing himself into work and ‘getting ripped’ in a bid to distract himself from his marriage break down.
‘Hugh is completely focused on Deadpool 3 and getting into Wolverine shape,’ a source exclusively revealed back in November. ‘That is taking him away from dealing with his ex and taking him away from dating.
‘He is excited to be back working and is excited to put all his focus on all of that.’
An insider previously told ET that there ‘is no animosity’ between the exes.
‘Hugh and Deborra-Lee are both on different pages and in separate chapters of their lives,’ they said.
‘They felt like it was time to divorce, but they still maintain a happy and cordial friendship.’
The source went on to say that Hugh and Deborra-Lee are ‘appreciative of their many years together and children.’
‘At the end of the day, it was their collective agreement to go their separate ways and do the healthiest thing for everyone involved,’ they added.
