Hugh Jackman’s Ex-Wife’s Book Deal Has Left The Actor Feeling Uneasy

While sources say the project is cathartic, the Hollywood star is said to be uneasy about it, as they’ve only recently rebuilt their friendship after their breakup.

Deborra-Lee Furness and Hugh Jackman, who finalized their divorce in 2024, are focusing on maintaining peace for their children.

Furness is stepping back into the spotlight, this time with a lucrative tell-all book deal.

However, according to Woman’s Day, her ex-husband, Jackman, isn’t entirely comfortable with the move, especially as the former couple had only just begun to rebuild their friendship after their high-profile split in 2023.

An insider revealed that Jackman “heard about Deb’s plans” but didn’t realize the full extent until Furness brought it up during a recent private meeting.

“He’d been warned early on that almost every A-list divorcee is approached to write a book, but part of him hoped Deb wouldn’t take that fat publisher’s cheque,” the source said, per the Daily Mail.

The upcoming book will reportedly share Furness’s perspective on her 27-year marriage to the “Wolverine” star, their journey adopting and raising two children, and her life after the divorce.

Insiders insist the project isn’t about revenge; instead, it’s her way of reclaiming her story, prioritizing herself, and reigniting the acting career she put on hold while raising their family.

According to the publication, Furness initially declined the book offer but later changed her mind, believing the process could be deeply “cathartic.”

Earlier this year, Furness was spotted in New York City meeting with a major publishing house, where she is said to be pitching what insiders describe as a “bold, emotional memoir about love, identity, and starting over.”

“She was all smiles, but it looked serious,” a publishing source who allegedly witnessed the encounter told British journalist Rob Shuter. “There were sample pages, lots of notes — it had the energy of a book deal negotiation.”

Although the Australian actress has spent much of her time back home since finalizing her divorce, friends say she’s ready to publicly tell her side of the story.

“She’s reclaiming her voice,” one close friend told Shuter. “She spent years being known as Hugh’s wife. Now she wants to be known for her truth.”

Jackman and Furness announced their separation in September 2023. She officially filed for divorce in May 2025, and the split was finalized just a month later.

After nearly two years of emotional upheaval, reports suggest that Furness and Jackman have been gradually rebuilding their friendship.

Earlier this year, Furness made rare candid remarks about the end of their nearly three-decade marriage, describing it as a “traumatic betrayal” that left deep emotional scars.

Despite the heartbreak, both stars have remained publicly dignified since announcing their separation. Now, according to reports, “The Greatest Showman” star has been quietly working to mend their relationship.

“Hugh has been trying to make peace with Debs for a long while now, but as you can imagine, it has taken her time to feel ready,” an insider said, per the Daily Mail. “Settling all the legal stuff seems to have helped because she’s finally coming around – they’ve gotten together a couple of times in New York recently to talk things out.”

During a chat with E! News’ Francesca Amiker at the 2025 AFI Fest premiere of his new film “Song Sung Blue,” which he stars in alongside Kate Hudson, Jackman opened up about his children’s futures.

The actor shared that while his kids, Oscar, 25, and Ava, 20, have the talent to pursue acting, he’s more focused on encouraging them to follow their own passions.

“They’d both be very good, but I don’t know,” he said. “I just want them to do what they love.”

Jackman has long been vocal about raising his children with gratitude and empathy.

“My kids have so many advantages,” he told People Magazine in 2018. “And I want them to know that they have a responsibility to use those advantages to help others.”

Meanwhile, Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster are reportedly “going strong” in their romance, with an insider who spoke to People Magazine revealing that their relationship is on a “good foundation.”

The couple first met in the early 2000s, but were simply colleagues in the industry, supporting each other as they planted their roots in different Broadway musicals.

However, Jackman and Foster confirmed they were an item earlier this year, in January, after being photographed holding hands on their way to dinner in Santa Monica, California.

The duo finally made their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of Jackman’s film, “Song Sung Blue.”