Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 6, 2025 · Entertainment

Behind the Scenes: Julian McMahon's Turbulent Love Life

Before his Hollywood breakthrough, McMahon made headlines in his native Australia when he married Home and Away co-star and singer Dannii Minogue. Pictured together in 1995

SHOCKING ROMANCE HISTORY OF JULIAN MCMAHON: FROM FAIRYTALE WEDDINGS TO TABLOID SCANDALS

The news of Julian McMahon's passing has left fans and friends reeling, but it also raises questions about the actor's tumultuous love life. The Aussie heartthrob, known for his rugged charm and versatility on screen, had a string of high-profile relationships that were marked by passion, drama, and ultimately, tragedy.

A FAIRYTALE UNION GONE WRONG

Dannii said that the romance was complicated by financial issues. Pictured in 1992

In the late 1980s, McMahon met Dannii Minogue, the pop princess with a voice like honey and a smile that could light up a room. The pair's romance was the stuff of fairytales – they met on the set of Home and Away, Australia's favorite soap opera, and tied the knot in 1994 in a lavish ceremony that made headlines around the world.

But behind the glamour and glitz, things were far from perfect. Minogue has since revealed that McMahon's mother, Lady Sonia McMahon, never approved of their union. "She didn't support her son, I did," Minogue confessed in an interview with No Filter. "I paid for everything and I worked every day to earn that money to pay for everything."

The couple's marriage was also strained by financial issues, with Minogue claiming that she ran up debts trying to keep the relationship afloat. "It was a huge struggle emotionally, physically, mentally, financially," she said.

In 1999, Julian tied the knot with American actress Brooke Burns, best known for her role in Baywatch. The couple welcomed daughter Madison the following year, but their marriage collapsed in 2001. Pictured together in 2000

SCANDAL ROCKED HIS SECOND MARRIAGE

In 1999, McMahon tied the knot with American actress Brooke Burns, best known for her role in Baywatch. The couple welcomed daughter Madison in 2000, but their marriage was short-lived – it ended in heartbreak and scandal just two years later.

Burns has since revealed that she discovered McMahon's alleged affair with his Charmed co-star Shannen Doherty in the tabloids. "It was the straw that broke the camel's back," Burns told Nicki Swift in a candid interview.

Julian had praised his ex-wife following their split and described their co-parenting of their daughter Madison, now 25, (left) as relatively harmonious

The timing of the alleged romance overlapped with the final season of Doherty's role on Charmed, sparking rumors of an on-set affair. McMahon has since praised his ex-wife and co-parent, describing their relationship as "harmonious" despite the drama that surrounded it.

A PRIVATE LOVE AFFAIR WITH KELLY PANIAUGA

After two high-profile breakups, McMahon kept his next relationship largely out of the spotlight. He began dating author and model Kelly Paniagua in 2003, and after more than a decade together, the pair married in a quiet ceremony at Lake Tahoe in 2014.

During their short-lived union, McMahon was rumoured to have had a fling with his Charmed co-star Shannen Doherty (right). The timing of the alleged romance reportedly overlapped with the final season of Doherty's role on the show in 2000-2001

Unlike his past marriages, Julian and Kelly's love life was intensely private – they rarely appeared together at events or discussed their relationship in interviews. In her heart-wrenching statement following McMahon's passing, Kelly described him as her "beloved husband," saying he "died peacefully this week after a valiant effort to overcome cancer."

A CAREER MARKED BY TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY

McMahon's acting career was marked by triumph and tragedy – from his breakout role in Home and Away to his critically acclaimed performances in Nip/Tuck and Charmed. He made a triumphant return to the screen just one month before he died, starring alongside Nicholas Cage in the Stan original film The Surfer.

After two high-profile breakups, McMahon kept his next relationship largely out of the spotlight. He began dating author and model Kelly Paniagua in 2003, and after more than a decade together, the pair married in a quiet ceremony at Lake Tahoe in 2014. Pictured in 2017

In The Surfer, McMahon shone as Scally, a charismatic and menacing guru-like figure who leads a group of surfers and acts as a local authority in Luna Bay. His performance was met with rave reviews, with many praising his ability to bring depth and nuance to even the most complex characters.

As fans and friends mourn the loss of this talented actor, it's clear that Julian McMahon's love life was just one aspect of his larger-than-life personality. With a career marked by both triumph and tragedy, McMahon will be remembered as an unforgettable talent who left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment.

THE SCHOLARLY NOTE EXCLUSIVE

It was Kelly who confirmed his death on Friday. Pictured together in 2017

TheScholarlyNote.com is proud to bring you this exclusive look at Julian McMahon's love life – from his fairy tale wedding with Dannii Minogue to his tragic passing. Stay tuned for more updates and tributes to this beloved actor, and don't forget to subscribe to our showbiz newsletter for the latest news and gossip.

Sources:

  • No Filter interview with Dannii Minogue
  • Nicki Swift interview with Brooke Burns
  • Ocean Drive Magazine interview with Julian McMahon