Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Jackman’s Love Story: How They Met and Always Made Time for Each Other

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Jackman have a long, meaningful history together.

The couple, who announced their separation in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE on Friday, married in April 1996, less than a year after meeting on the set of the Australian TV show Correlli. They later welcomed two children together: son Oscar, who is now 23 years old, and daughter Ava, who is now 18 years old.

Hugh, 54, told PEOPLE’s Jan. 1, 2018 cover story about the moment he met Deborra-lee, 67, his “leading lady” on the show, who he “fell in love with” almost immediately.

As the actor recounted, “I got picked up and Deb is in the front seat of the car. I’ll never forget it. She took off her seat belt and turned around and reached out and took off her sunglasses and said, ‘Hi, I’m Deborra-lee Furness, I’m glad is how we met.’ I remember thinking, ‘I like this girl.’ ”

When he finally worked up the courage to tell her about his feelings a few weeks after filming, “I said, ‘I’m falling for you. I’m going to get over it, I’m sorry,'” Hugh continued. “She says, ‘Oh? Because I’m in love with you too.’ Never in a million years did I think she would talk back to me.”

Hugh and Deborra-lee Jackman at the premiere of the film van Helsing in Los Angeles.

SGranitz/WireImage

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Sparks flew between the actors, and Hugh told PEOPLE in his 2008 Sexiest Man Alive cover story, “It was undeniable. I started planning to propose after about three months.”

“We’re happy. Deb and my kids are the best thing that ever happened to me, hands down,” he added at the time, revealing his wife’s response when she learned of his SMA title was, “I could have told them that years ago! ”

Read more about what the couple had to say about each other over the years before they announced they were separating after 27 years of marriage.

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Hugh (right) and Deborra-lee Jackman at the 66th Tony Awards on June 10, 2012 in New York City. Kevin Mazur/WireImage A timeline of Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness’ relationship

In March 2020, Hugh told PEOPLE that he is more in love with his wife than ever, noting that he and Deborra-lee “always make time for each other.”

“We’re always learning and people change, so even though we’ve been together for 25 years, you have to constantly reset,” he continued. “I’m always amused by how funny she is and how amazing she is and how smart she is. The longer the better.”

On the eve of the couple’s 23rd anniversary, The greatest showman actor discussed how his and Deborra-lee’s marriage works during an interview with PEOPLE.

“No doubt, [intimacy] is the most important thing,” he explained. “People talk about intimacy and assume that means in the bedroom. Of course it is, but actually, intimacy is being able to share everything together – the good, the bad, the fears, the successes.”

Hugh added: “Deb and I have had it from the beginning. We’ve always been completely ourselves with each other.”

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The couple, who were always open to adoption, decided to expand their family with Oscar and Ava. “Our motivation for adoption was: ‘Where is the need?’ ” Hugh told PEOPLE for his 2018 cover story. “The greatest need is for mixed-race children.”

“I want to tell my children that … it doesn’t matter which one is sexual [orientation] you are, it doesn’t matter what job you do, it doesn’t matter if your hair is straight or curly, if you are tall or short, male or female, what race you are. What defines you as a human being lies beneath all that,” he added.

Deborra-lee told PEOPLE in 2020 that she and Hugh have embraced their children’s “cultural differences,” which she believes will “play out generation after generation.”

“We fully embrace ancestors and extended family; they are family to us. And it’s in there, even though it’s generational. It might be subtle, but it’s there,” she added.

Over the years, Hugh and Deborra-lee have stepped out together for a number of glamorous occasions, including the 2023 Met Gala last May.

Hugh and Deborra-lee Jackman at the Met Gala on May 1, 2023 in New York City. Cindy Ord/MG23/Getty Hugh Jackman shares Valentine’s tribute to wife Deborra-Lee Furness: ‘You light up the room’

The actor has also been open about his love for his wife on social media, sharing everything from birthday tributes to Valentine’s messages to Deborra-lee.

“Happy birthday to my amazing wife. This is the 28th time I’ve celebrated this day with you,” Hugh wrote in the caption of his November 2022 post, which saw him and Deborra-lee dressed up for a date by the water.

“You taught me many things, including how to celebrate. Celebrate life, family, friendship and love. Your light and joy shine all around you!” he added, concluding: “The children are I enjoy that glow every day and today we pray that you feel all the love reflected on you. x I love you.”

While Hugh was preparing for the 2022 production A musical man on Broadway, Deborra-lee revealed to PEOPLE that she helped her husband learn his lines. We do everything together, she said.

She also joked that even though she didn’t tap, she could probably pull off the role herself — but only if she really had to. “You’d have to push me on stage,” Deborra-lee joked.

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Last April, Hugh shared a photo of himself and Deborra-lee on Instagram to mark their 27th wedding anniversary, writing that his wife’s “courage and devotion are an incredible gift to me.”

“I love you Deb. Today is our 27th wedding anniversary. 27 YEARS!!” the Deadpool 3 wrote the actor in the description of his post. “I love you very much. Together we created a beautiful family. And life.”

“Your laughter, your spirit, generosity, humor, sass, courage and loyalty are an incredible gift to me,” he added in the description. “I love you with all my heart.”

In a statement to PEOPLE on Friday announcing their amicable split, Hugh and Deborra-lee said, “We have been blessed to share nearly three decades together as husband and wife in a beautiful, loving marriage. Our journey is now changing and we decided to separate to pursue our personal growth.”

“Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We enter this next chapter with gratitude, love and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family goes through this transition in all of our lives,” they added. , concluding, “This is the only statement any of us will make.”

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