Nicole Kidman Reflects on Her Mother’s Passing
Nicole Kidman recently opened up about the moment she found out her mother had died, a day that turned bittersweet for her. Speaking at the HISTORYTalks 2026 event on Saturday, the 58-year-old actress shared her experiences leading up to receiving the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024.
“I was about to go on stage when I heard my mother had passed away,” Kidman recounted. “I went back to my hotel room in Venice and just collapsed into bed, feeling utterly heartbroken.”
She described the overwhelming grief that accompanied the news, noting how integral her mother had been to her life. “I felt as though a part of me was gone,” she reflected. “The thought that she wouldn’t be there during such a pivotal moment was devastating.”
In a striking contrast to the joyous occasion of winning an award, Kidman expressed how horrendous that experience felt. “I remember trying to find my way to the airport late at night, but I just couldn’t manage it,” she said. “So, I ended up back at my hotel room, alone. My husband and kids were miles away, and what was supposed to be a special moment turned into just—well, something completely different.”
Despite enduring that deeply isolating experience, Kidman mentioned that it strengthened her resilience. “Now, I sometimes tell people, ‘That’s when I learned I could get through almost anything,’” she shared. Her mother, Janelle, passed away at the age of 84.
Two years after her mother’s death, Kidman revealed her plans to advocate as a death doula, hoping to support others through grief. Speaking to investigative journalist Vicki Nguyen, she stated, “After my mother’s passing, my family was, well, not as available, and I found myself feeling quite lonely.”
Kidman has two daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret, with her ex-husband Keith Urban. She mentioned how her mother always strived to create opportunities for her daughters, even if she didn’t have those same chances. “Although she faced her own struggles, she wanted better for us,” Kidman emphasized, reflecting on her mother’s influence.
Now, as she supports Sunday Rose in her modeling endeavors, Kidman is inherently continuing her mother’s legacy, stepping into a nurturing role much like the one that shaped her own upbringing.
