It was 1986. Australia felt like the center of the universe. Everyone was wearing Akubra hats, carrying oversized blades, and trying to master that specific, laid-back "no worries" drawl. At the heart of it all were Linda Kozlowski and Paul Hogan. Their chemistry wasn't just movie magic; it was a cultural earthquake that shook the foundation of Hogan's life and fundamentally changed the trajectory of Kozlowski's career.
You probably remember the scene. The New York reporter and the bushman. It felt real because, honestly, it was. But behind the $328 million box office success was a messy, complicated, and often scrutinized romance that eventually saw them trade the Australian outback for the quiet life in Venice Beach, only to drift apart decades later.
The Scandal That Started It All
Hollywood loves a "met on set" story. This one, however, came with a heavy price. When Hogan met Kozlowski, he was still married to his first wife, Noelene Edwards. They’d been together for decades and had five children. In Australia, Paul was "Hoges," the working-class hero from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
When he left Noelene for his young American co-star, the public reaction was brutal.
Linda was often labeled a "homewrecker" in the Australian press. It’s a title she lived with for years. People forget that she was a Juilliard-trained actress with serious talent, but the shadow of the affair—and the subsequent 1990 wedding—defined her image for the next thirty years. They eventually moved to the U.S. partly to escape the relentless glare of the Australian media, who never quite forgave Paul for the "ugliest celebrity divorce" in the country’s history.
💡 You might also like: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes in 2026
Why Linda Kozlowski and Paul Hogan Eventually Walked Away
They lasted longer than most people expected. Twenty-three years, to be exact. They raised a son, Chance, and built a massive property empire that included the famous Cedar Springs estate in Byron Bay. But by 2013, the cracks were too deep to ignore.
Linda filed for divorce in 2014, citing irreconcilable differences.
"Honestly, we just naturally grew apart," she later told reporters. She mentioned that after decades of living in the shadow of a global icon, she wanted to step into her own light. It’s a relatable sentiment. When your entire identity is tied to being "the wife of Crocodile Dundee," finding your own footing as you hit your 50s becomes a necessity, not just a luxury.
The split was surprisingly amicable. There were no public screaming matches. In the settlement, Linda walked away with about $6.25 million and stayed in their Venice Beach home for a few years. Paul kept the rights to the Mick Dundee character—a move that secured his financial legacy forever.
📖 Related: Addison Rae and The Kid LAROI: What Really Happened
Where Are They in 2026?
Life looks very different for both of them now.
- Linda’s New Life: She basically quit acting in 2001. She was tired of the "girlfriend" roles and the industry's obsession with youth. Today, she has completely reinvented herself. She married Moroccan tour guide Moulay Hafid Baba in 2017. They run a luxury tour company together in Morocco. Photos from recent years show her looking happy, vibrant, and—most importantly—totally disconnected from the Hollywood machine.
- Paul’s Health Battles: As of 2026, Paul Hogan is 86. The years haven't been particularly kind to his physical health. He has been open about his struggles with a benign growth near his aorta that caused him to lose a massive amount of weight and muscle. Recently, he's been spotted in a wheelchair at airports, though he maintains his classic wit, joking that it’s just "old age and a bit of arthritis."
- The Return to Australia: After decades in Los Angeles, there’s been a lot of talk about Paul moving back to Australia permanently. His son Chance, now in his late 20s, has been his primary companion in California. Reports suggest that Chance is supportive of the move, realizing that his dad wants to spend his final years on home soil.
The Financial Fallout and Real Estate Shuffle
The "Dundee" money was long-lasting, but it wasn't infinite. Paul’s net worth, once estimated at over $75 million, took hits from the divorce and a very public, decade-long battle with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
They sold their Malibu mansion to Chris Hemsworth back in 2013. That felt like a "passing of the torch" moment—one Aussie superstar handing the keys to the next. Paul has spent the last decade downsizing, selling off his vast property holdings as he prepares for a quieter life.
Lessons From the Dundee Legacy
What can we actually learn from the saga of Linda Kozlowski and Paul Hogan?
👉 See also: Game of Thrones Actors: Where the Cast of Westeros Actually Ended Up
First, the "on-screen chemistry" trap is real. While it led to a 23-year marriage, it also built a relationship on a foundation of public scrutiny that never really went away. Second, Linda’s pivot is a masterclass in retirement. Instead of clinging to bit parts in B-movies, she walked away and built a life in Morocco that has nothing to do with her 1980s fame.
If you’re following their story today, the best way to stay updated is to look toward Australian outlets like New Idea or A Current Affair, where Paul still occasionally gives candid interviews. For those interested in Linda's path, her luxury travel ventures in Marrakech are the primary window into her world now.
To dig deeper into their current status, you might want to look at the recent property records in the Byron Bay area, as that remains the most likely landing spot for Paul's permanent return to Australia.
Actionable Insights:
- Research the "Dundee" tax case if you're interested in how celebrity earnings are handled across borders; it remains a landmark legal study.
- Follow Linda’s travel ventures if you want to see a successful example of a high-profile "second act" outside of entertainment.
- Monitor Australian entertainment news for the upcoming 40th-anniversary retrospectives of Crocodile Dundee, which often feature rare archival footage of the couple.