Annette Sharp: If anyone can sell concept of good divorce, it’s Hugh Jackman and Deb

Good divorces are rare, writes Annette Sharp, but surely if ever there were two people capable of having one, then Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness would be them.

For 27 years, the world has been seduced by and romantically invested in the luminous and lasting marriage of Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness. One, we’ve been lead to believe, built on their legendary friendship.

A good actor but a better entertainer and promoter, Jackman made it impossible for the public not to be sold on the couple’s seemingly idyllic romance.

His exuberant and oft-repeated public affirmations of love for his wife clinched it.

He persuaded the world of his love on anniversaries: “I love you Deb … I love you so much. Your laughter, your spirit, generosity, humour, cheekiness, courage and loyalty is an incredible gift to me. I love you with all my heart,” he posted on social media in April.

And last St Valentine’s Day he posted: “Happy Valentine’s love. You light up the room wherever you go … your humour, generosity, wisdom and spirit shines so bright. I celebrate you on our 28th Valentine’s together. I love you.

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness looked smitten at the Venice Film Festival screening of his movie The Son in September last year. Picture: AFP

And on birthdays: “Happy birthday to my extraordinary wife … The kids (and) I bask in that glow every day and today we pray you feel all the love reflected back at you. X I love you,” he penned in December.

Hence, industry types and fans alike were blindsided when the couple announced the breakdown of their marriage on Saturday.

Jackman and Furness on their wedding day in 1996. Picture: Instagram

The pair at the 2023 Met Gala Celebrating in May this year. Picture: Getty

In their carefully worded joint statement the couple said they plan to embark on separate journeys for “individual growth” while making their family their “highest priority”.

Worth an estimated $280 million, money shouldn’t be an issue for the Jackman/Furnesses as they set about divvying up their assets.

There was speculation yesterday the couple had begun doing this a year ago when they listed their home of 14 years in New York’s West Village for sale prior to snapping up a cheaper and smaller apartment in Chelsea.

Family was also the stated highest priority for newly separated Fortescue mining boss Andrew Forrest and wife Nicola, who announced in July they were going their separate ways after 31 years together but remained committed to their three children.

The Forrests separation statement assured the public — and, critically, the market — of two key things: that the couple’s “friendship and commitment to … family remains strong” and also that “there is no impact on the operations” on their businesses and philanthropic organisation.

With over $30 billion and a large portfolio of investments and properties to consider, they were obliged to offer this assurance.

Unlike the Jackman/Furnesses, speculation about the Forrests marriage had been swirling for some time before the couple formally announced their separation.

Mike and Annie Cannon-Brookes. Picture: James Croucher

Andrew and Nicola Forrest. Picture: Keryn Stevens

After buying a harbourside home in Point Piper in 2018, Nicola’s relocation to Sydney — while her husband remained in Perth — spurred frenzied talk about the couple’s domestic arrangements and their revised circle of friends.

Having divided their billions down the middle, money should, like the Jackmans, not be an obstacle to any enduring friendship for the Forrests.

While the Forrests drafted a joint statement, no such missive came from Atlassian founder Mike Cannon-Brooks and wife Annie, who announced their split in July too.

That split, after 13 years of marriage and four children, came one week after the Forrests released their statement.

While a joint public statement may give little insight into the true state of a broken relationship — of the possible anger and hostilities of the parties involved — it does, at least, suggest the two disparate parties are capable of coming together maturely and respectfully.

This then opens the doors to new things; new homes, new roles, new journeys and new relationships.

If anyone can sell the sketchy concept of the “good divorce” it has to be Jackman and Furness and the Forrests, but it takes two, in sympathetic lock-step, to sell it, which is why it we so rarely see it.

If good divorces are possible, enduring friendship must be the cornerstone of them. Jackman and Furness have always appeared to have had this.

Now we will discover if they also possess the mutual respect, empathy, forgiveness and abundance of love Jackman has talked about that are critical to achieving it.

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