Nicole Kidman shares devastating news of her mother’s death: ‘My heart is broken'

Despite her global fame, Nicole Kidman remains grounded, often emphasizing how she enjoys a ‘normal life’ with her husband, Keith Urban. She shares two daughters with him—Sunday Rose, 16, and Faith Margaret, 13. She also shares Bella, 31, and Connor, 29, with Tom Cruise, whom she divorced in 2001.

Professionally, Nicole continues to dominate Hollywood and has been traveling extensively for her upcoming projects The Perfect Couple and Babygirl. One of Hollywood's most acclaimed actresses, Kidman recently faced a heartbreaking personal loss with the death of her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, at the age of 84.

Nicole Kidman’s mother Janelle Ann Kidman passes away

The tragic news was revealed when Kidman was due to accept a prestigious Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival for her performance in Babygirl, reports Metro.co.uk. Unable to attend the ceremony in person due to the sudden death, Nicole’s director, Halina Reijn, delivered an emotional statement on her behalf. The cause of her death hasn’t been made public yet.

In the statement read by Reijn, Nicole said:

Today, I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after my brave and beautiful mother, Janelle Anne Kidman, had just passed. I’m in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her.

Adding:

She shaped me, she guided me and she made me. I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina. The collision of life and art is heartbreaking. My heart is broken.

The death of Nicole’s mother came as a profound shock despite her health struggles in recent years. Nicole had previously taken time off from her acting career to be by her mother's side.

In 2022, the actress shared that she was moving back to Australia to make sure her mother was ‘surrounded by her grandchildren.’ The two shared a particularly close bond, and Nicole’s love and admiration for her mother were evident in her many public tributes.

Nicole Kidman’s mother Janelle Kidman: How did she influence Nicole’s career?

Janelle Ann Kidman was more than just a devoted mother—she was a guiding force in Nicole’s life and career. A nursing instructor by profession, Janelle had a deep appreciation for culture and the arts. She encouraged her daughters, Nicole and Antonia, to explore different paths than hers, reports The Guardian.

In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald in 2020, Kidman described her mother as ‘my mentor, my guide, and my nurturer.’ She said:

She’s given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I’ve always wanted to please her.

But she also carved her own path and wanted her daughters to have the same opportunity to carve their own paths.

Mum didn’t necessarily get the career that she wanted, but she was determined that her daughters would have opportunities that were equal. That’s given me my life. And she gave me my life, she and my dad.

Nicole has previously recalled how Janelle would take her to the theater and fostered a love of the performing arts, reports Daily Times. In fact, Nicole’s early exposure to theater, cinema, and literature was largely due to her mother’s influence.

The actress has also highlighted how Janelle’s unwavering support helped her navigate the challenges of fame and the pressures of working in the entertainment industry.

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Sources used:

AOL: 'The Perfect Couple' star Nicole Kidman lives 'normal life' in Tennessee while dominating Hollywood

Metro.co.uk: ‘Heartbroken’ Nicole Kidman rushes home to family after mum dies aged 84

The Guardian: Nicole Kidman says her ‘heart is broken’ after death of mother Janelle

Daily Times: Nicole Kidman announces death of her mother after Venice Film Festival