Nicole Kidman, 58, opened up about the emotional moment she learned of her mother's death while attending the 2024 Venice Film Festival. The actress, who recently revealed she is training to become a death doula, shared her experience during HISTORYTalks 2026 in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Core Facts
Kidman won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival for her role in Babygirl just hours before her mother, Janelle Kidman, passed away in September 2024 at the age of 84. The actress recalled feeling 'completely devastated' upon receiving the news and described the harrowing experience of navigating Venice alone to return home.
Deeper Context
Kidman detailed her struggle with grief, stating that her mother had been 'so much a part of my existence.' She described the contrast between the celebratory moment of winning an award and the sudden loss of her mother. The actress also mentioned feeling alone, as her husband, Keith Urban, and their children were not with her in Venice at the time.
Reflecting on the experience, Kidman emphasized her resilience, stating, 'That’s when I know I’m resilient. That’s when I know I can survive pretty much anything.' She shared that the event reinforced her understanding of life's contrasts and her ability to endure hardship.