In a deeply moving revelation that touched hearts worldwide, Nicole Kidman recently shared her raw, emotional journey through grief and mortality following the loss of both her parents. The 57-year-old Academy Award winner opened up about her sleepless nights and profound reflections on life in a candid interview with GQ magazine.
“I wake up at 3 a.m. crying and gasping,” Kidman confessed, describing her struggle with mortality and loss. These nighttime episodes have become more frequent since the passing of her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, at age 84 in September 2023. This loss came nine years after her father Dr. Antony Kidman’s death in 2014.
The “Big Little Lies” star’s vulnerability shines through as she discusses the intersection of grief and parenthood. “When you’re raising children, you’re like, ‘I gotta stay here. I want to see all of this,'” she shares. “It’s devastating,” “beautiful,” and “extraordinary.”
As Kidman was about to accept the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her role in “Babygirl” at the Venice Film Festival, she unexpectedly received news of her mother’s passing. The actress immediately left the festival to be with her family in Australia, demonstrating the delicate balance between personal loss and professional commitments.
“She was my compass,” Kidman told Vanity Fair, reflecting on her mother’s influence. “She shaped me, guided me, and made me who I am.” This touching tribute reveals how Janelle championed her daughters’ dreams, pushing them to seize opportunities she never had in her own generation.
The impact of this dual loss weighs heavily on Kidman, who shares daughters Sunday Rose (16) and Faith Margaret (13) with husband Keith Urban. Her experience as both a daughter and mother adds layers to her grief as she navigates explaining loss to her children while processing her own emotions.
“The little one was just so little that she didn’t know whether I was acting or not,” Kidman recalled of her father’s passing. Her older daughter’s concerned question, “You won’t be sad in the morning?” reveals the ripple effect of grief through generations.
Despite her personal struggles, Kidman continues to honor her parents’ legacy through her work and family life. Her mother’s passion for creating opportunities for women lives on through Kidman’s choices in both her career and personal life. The actress recently appeared at the Los Angeles premiere of “Lioness,” where she poignantly stated, “Everything is great with work, but I wish my mama was here.”
This journey through grief has transformed Kidman’s perspective on life, making her more attuned to emotions and connections. “I’m in it. She emphasizes that she is fully in it, refusing to numb herself to the experience. Her openness about these struggles offers comfort to others facing similar losses, showing that even in the spotlight, grief is a universal human experience.
Kidman’s story reminds us that the path through loss, while deeply personal, connects us all. Her mother’s legacy continues through her work, her children, and her unwavering commitment to creating meaningful art that speaks to the human experience.
The actress now balances her illustrious career with honoring her parents’ memory, proving that even in loss, there is growth, connection, and an enduring legacy that shapes future generations.