When Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness called time on their 27-year marriage in October 2023, it shocked the entertainment world and shook our faith in true love. How could a couple that had been together for decades and seemed so solid suddenly get divorced?
The emergence of the “gray divorce” phenomenon, a growing trend in which couples over 50 are splitting up after decades of marriage, also known as “silver separation,” proves that Gen Zers aren't exempt from marriage, even if they've been together longer than their children have been alive on this earth.
HELLO! looks back at some of the most surprising celebrity grey divorces of the past few years.
Hugh Jackman and Deborra Lee Furness
The acting couple's love story began on the set of the show in 1995. CorelliWhen Hugh was 27 and Deborra-Lee was 40, the two hit it off immediately, married within a year, and quickly became one of Hollywood's most beloved couples. In a statement to PEOPLE when they announced their divorce in 2023, the couple wrote, “As a couple, we have been blessed to spend almost three decades together in a beautiful, loving marriage. Our journeys have now changed, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.” The Wolverine star and Shame actress have two children together, Oscar and Ava.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner
In May 2023, Kevin Costner's designer second wife filed for divorce after 18 years of marriage. The couple met while the actor was filming the 1996 romantic comedy. Tin CupHowever, their romance only blossomed after he divorced his first wife and had a child with Bridget Rooney in 1998. The pair married in 2004 and have three children together: Kayden, Hayes and Grace. Their separation wasn't all smooth sailing, and their divorce was finalized in February 2024 after a difficult legal process that saw the couple fight over child support payments and a prenuptial agreement.
Meryl Streep and Don Gummer
The Devil Wears Prada actress and her sculptor husband have been married for a whopping 45 years and have four children together: Henry Wolff, Mamie Gummer, Grace Gummer, and Louisa Jacobson. Though the couple is famously private, their standards for longevity in a tough industry are typical of Hollywood. Meryl singled out her husband specifically in her 2012 Academy Awards speech, saying, “Everything we hold dearest in our lives, you've given it to me.” Meryl and Don last appeared together at the 2018 Academy Awards.
Caitlyn and Kris Jenner
Their passionate romance began on a blind date in 1990, and they married just five months later, one month after her divorce from lawyer Robert Kardashian was finalized. The mom and Olympian split in 2013 after 22 years of marriage and raising two children, Kendall and Kylie. Just two years after their divorce, Caitlyn made headlines when she publicly came out as transgender in an interview with Diane Sawyer, but the Kardashians claimed they didn't know. Tensions between Caitlyn and the Kardashians have risen since she published her 2017 tell-all book, “The Secrets of My Life.” In it, Caitlyn claims that Kris has known about her gender dysphoria all along. “She insists that I was surprised that I eventually transitioned with Caitlyn…I told her that I was wearing women's clothes, and she knew because I had done so in front of her several times after we were married.”
Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus
Miley and Noah's parents were married for a whopping 29 years before calling it quits in April 2022. The two married in 1993 and were blessed with three children. Billy also adopted Tish's two children with a previous partner, Trace and Brandi, bringing their family to five. Before the two split, their marriage had been rocky for a while. Billy Ray filed for divorce in 2010, but changed his mind and withdrew. Then, in 2013, it was Tish's turn to file, but the couple reconciled after extensive couples counseling. In 2022, the two finally separated, releasing a statement via People magazine saying, “We have grown together and raised a family we are proud of. It is now time to forge our own paths.”
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates
The Microsoft co-founder and his philanthropist wife ended their 27-year marriage in 2021 after having three children and founding a charity together. The two met when Melinda was working as a product manager at Microsoft under Bill, who was then CEO. Their professional respect for each other blossomed into romance, and they married in 1994. The couple founded the charity Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000, which is dedicated to eliminating global inequality, promoting public health, and improving education across the United States. For their incredible work, they were also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. After the divorce, Melinda received $12.5 billion and recently announced that she would donate $1 billion of this fortune over two years to organizations that advocate for women's rights.
Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito
The two actors have had a long and often tumultuous marriage. They met in 1971 when Leah saw Danny in a play and fell in love instantly. They married more than a decade later and had three children together: Lucy, Gracie and Jake. Their on-screen chemistry was just as charming as their off-screen love. The two co-starred in Roald Dahl's Star Wars: Episode I – The Golden Wind. Matilda She also starred in the hit TV show Taxi. Their marriage was full of difficulties; they separated in 2012, but reconciled just six months later, and officially separated for good in 2017. They are never officially divorced, and remain good friends, and recently spoke excitedly about the arrival of their first grandchild in 2023.
Morgan Freeman and Myrna Cory Lee
The notoriously private actor and his second wife separated in late 2007 after 24 years of marriage, and their divorce was finalized in 2010. The reasons for their separation are shrouded in mystery, with some speculating that infidelity was to blame. The couple rarely spoke about their private life and kept a low profile throughout their marriage. Myrna, a costume designer by trade, reportedly received a staggering $100 million from the divorce.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver
The Terminator star and his journalist wife met in 1977 and were married for 25 years and had four children, but Maria filed for divorce in 2011 after Arnold was found unfaithful. Arnold fathered a child with his housekeeper in 1997, and when the child was 14, Maria finally admitted to infidelity and left him. Despite their separation, the couple remain on good terms and are often seen together at their children's birthdays, weddings and graduations, remaining united. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Arnold said, “If there was an Oscar for how to handle a divorce, Maria and I should win it because it had the least impact on our children.”
