Deborra-Lee Furness, 69, Steps Out with Her 19-Year-Old Adoptive Daughter, Ava, to Attend the 2025 Australian Open

The event took place on January 14, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. Deborra-Lee, known for her timeless elegance, donned a striking purple silk blouse featuring an intricate printed pattern. She paired it with light beige pants, creating a comfortable yet stylish look for the event.

Her signature short blonde hair was neatly styled, and she accessorized with tinted aviator sunglasses that complemented her ensemble. Ava opted for a modern, youthful outfit.

The young woman wore a black lace-trimmed spaghetti-strap top paired with a statement necklace. Her long dark hair flowed freely, and she, too, sported sunglasses, adding a casual, chic vibe to her overall appearance.

The duo was seated in the stands, enjoying the intense tennis match. While Deborra-Lee appeared engaged, occasionally laughing and chatting, Ava maintained a more reserved demeanor, often gazing at the court quietly.

The pair's public outing sparked diverse reactions across social media platforms, with fans and observers sharing their thoughts. On Facebook, users were quick to comment on the noticeable contrast in the mother and daughter's moods.

One user wrote, “Daughter doesn't look happy being at the tennis I'd say she wanted to be somewhere else [sic].”

Another added, “I wouldn't of known it was her if I seen her, she has changed a lot. Daughter look sulky [sic].” A third remarked, “Daughter doesn't look to interested [sic].”

On Instagram, users shared similar sentiments but also expressed support. One comment read, “Awww she's such a good mom, good for her and glad her daughter and sticking to her mother, that's loyalty [sic].”

Another user questioned Ava's interest in the event, “Don't get it, why the daughter there, when she clearly seems to be disinterested and sleepy [sic].”

Expressing admiration for Deborra-Lee's parenting, one user stated, “I'm so glad Deborah had the children. Regardless biological or not [sic].”

Another commenter shared warm wishes, “Very happy to see her and daughter enjoying time together. We wish you all the best for the future Debora-Lee Furness [sic].” A final commenter praised Ava, “What a beautiful daughter.”

The duo's outing is a reminder of Deborra-Lee and her husband Hugh Jackman's heartfelt journey to parenthood, one marked by love, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to their children, Ava and her older brother, Oscar Maximillian, now 24.

In a 2020 interview with People, Deborah-Lee, then 64, opened up about the joys and challenges of parenting.

She shared, “It's so interesting being a parent, and they've both made me smarter than I think I ever could have been on my own. But when you're a parent, you can't lie to them or yourself. They will shine a light on every one of your flaws, your Achilles heel, whatever. You've got to look at yourself.”

The Australian star also spoke candidly about navigating the unique dynamics of raising adopted children. “What I'm very interested in is epigenetics, and it's even more so when you have adopted children because I'm coming from my lineage of my mother, how she parented me, how her mother parented her, and I'm translating that to my children,” she said.

“But my children also have a separate lineage. So it's almost like we have more players at the table.”

The actress and producer also reflected on the cultural differences present within their family. “We've got cultural differences in there, and I do believe these will play out generation after generation. So our family is just a little more late, I guess, at dinner time; a few more ancestors at the table.”

The “Deadpool & Wolverine” alum has also been vocal about the couple's adoption journey. In a 2017 interview with People, Hugh recalled the struggles they faced before deciding to adopt.

“Because of her age, we started [trying] straightaway when we were together,” said the Australian actor, who married Deborra-Lee in 1996 when he was 27 and she was 40. “We struggled, a couple miscarriages, [in vitro fertilization] — it was not easy. It was difficult, obviously particularly on Deb.”

Hugh shared how he approached the decision, saying, “I remember saying to her, ‘We were always going to adopt — let's just adopt now.'”

For the couple, the motivation to adopt came from a desire to meet the greatest need. It was important for the “Logan” star and his wife to adopt mixed-race children as well — a demographic he referred to as “the biggest need.”

He further elaborated, “A lot of people go into [adoption thinking] it's really important to them for the kid to look like them, and honestly, for Deb and I, that just never even was an issue.”

The “Van Helsing” actor also emphasized the deeper values he hoped to instill in his children.

“I believe in life and I want to tell my kids that your personality is interesting, it in some way very much defines you, the color of your skin, whether you're a male, whether you're a female, but that's not who you really are. What defines you as a human is underneath all that.”

Hugh and Deborra-Lee announced in early September 2023 that they were separating after almost three decades as husband and wife.

The two had been married for 27 years and noted that their separation was amicable, as their journey was shifting, forcing them to pursue individual growth. They said their family will remain their highest priority.

On the pair's 27th anniversary, a few months before they announced their separation, Hugh shared a sweet post celebrating Deborra-Lee. “I love you so much. Together we created a beautiful family. And life,” he wrote partly.

He added that her laughter, spirit, generosity, humor, cheekiness, loyalty, and courage were a wonderful gift to him.

The two met in 1995 on the set of the Australian drama series “Corelli,” where the actress was the lead. The series was the actor's first job after drama school, but Deborra-Lee was already a big star whom everyone loved.

When she greeted Hugh, the “Scoop” actor knew he really liked her and saw that she was absolutely beautiful.

However, Hugh didn't want to fall for the leading lady, so six weeks into the shoot, when he realized he had a crush on Deborra-Lee, he didn't speak to her for a week.

But during a party the actor threw later, he admitted to Deborra-Lee that he had a crush on her, and he was surprised to find out that the actress had a crush on him too. Their romance blossomed from that day.

During their marriage, Hugh was devoted to the “Jindabyne” star and never shied from showering her with affection publicly.

The 56-year-old is also a dedicated father who is often vocal about his love and joy of fatherhood and how he and Deborra-Lee raise their two kids.

The duo tied the knot on April 11, 1996. They expanded their family when they adopted Oscar in 2000 and Ava in 2005. “The Wolverine” actor said they always wanted to adopt, but after first having biological kids.

However, they went through a difficult time having biological kids. Hugh and Deborra-Lee decided to adopt because it was a step they were going to take anyway. The pair wanted a multiracial family, so they adopted multiracial kids.

Hugh also opened up about his kids when they were young, revealing their personalities. He said Oscar never wanted to go to school, but Ava loved it.

He added that his daughter is a lover of life and is “so like” her Deborra-Lee. Ava was fairly quiet and very independent as a baby, traits she shared with her mother.

Hugh revealed that Ava would not be fed from when she turned six months old. Instead, she would feed herself, showcasing her independence.

Like her mom, Ava is also a lover of neatness. She would go around the house, closing drawers and picking things up. Hugh joked that their family didn't need a housekeeper because they had Ava. Ava would tell his dad that she loves to be neat.

Meanwhile, Hugh noted that Oscar loves the outdoors. He is a nature kid whose knowledge of the outdoors is unbelievable.

He said he is happiest with Oscar when they spend time in nature, “When I'm hiking, camping, fire on the beach roasting marshmallows, out in the wood fishing, that kind of thing with him is when I see him at his most relaxed.”

Ava, just like her dad, is a lover of music and dance. In 2017, Hugh said he had been to four concerts with Ava, including an Ed Sheeran concert where father and daughter knew every word in every song of the singer.

“The Prestige” actor noted that spending time with Ava at these concerts was like “heaven” to him, adding, “When I go to a concert with her and the two of us standing there and, literally, I turn somehow into a 12-year-old.”

Just like most kids, Hugh noted that his kids sometimes feel embarrassed when they see their dad doing something they find corny.

The actor said when Ava was six, she would hide under a chair during theatre shows when her dad would sing to her mom. Ava finds theatre a little boring, while Oscar thinks it's interesting.

Apart from his kids' traits and personalities, Hugh also revealed the kind of father he is. The movie star said he is a strict parent because when his parents split, his dad, who was an accountant, raised seven kids in a very regimented way.

Hugh pointed out that he and Deborra-Lee had very opposite parenting styles. She was raised with a single mom, and her mother wasn't strict. Thus, the 69-year-old took after her mother's parenting style, being lenient with Ava and Oscar.

Now, Hugh and Deborra-Lee romance has burned out. The actor was spotted for the first time after the two announced their separation, walking on the streets.

When asked to comment about the individual growth he would be pursuing, Hugh politely declined, noting that it wasn't a good time.