Nicole Kidman revealed last week that she’s training to be a death doula, inspired by the experience of her own mother’s death.
Read More: Nicole Kidman Wants to Be a Death Doula — Here’s Why
On Saturday (Apr. 18), during an engagement at the Kimmel Center’s HISTORYTalks 2026 series in Philadelphia, Pa., the actor spoke further about that decision.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, she also remembered being “completely devastated” and unable to function after she learned that her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, had died in September 2024. At that moment, she was in Venice, Italy to accept an award.
What Did Nicole Kidman Say About Learning That Her Mother Had Died?
Kidman said she’d traveled to Venice alone to accept the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival.
“I was about to go on stage and I found out my mother had died. I went right back to the room in Venice, got into bed and was completely devastated,” she explains.
In lieu of giving her own acceptance speech, Kidman prepared a written statement which Babygirl director Halina Reijn read to the crowd while accepting the award on her behalf.
Kidman said she struggled to function, and that when she tried to make emergency arrangements to fly home and be with family, she simply couldn’t do it.
“I remember getting into a boat in the canal, and literally at night trying to find my way to the airport, and then turning around and going, ‘I can’t even do this.’ And then went back into the bed, and I was alone,” she recounted.
“My husband wasn’t there. My children weren’t there. I’d gone to win an award,” Kidman continued. “…But there is the contrast of life, and that’s what I always say to people. I say that’s when I know I’m resilient. That’s when I know I can survive pretty much anything.”
Why Does Nicole Kidman Want to Become a Death Doula?
When she originally spoke about pursuing certification to work as a death doula, Kidman said that she felt that her family could have used extra support to care and be present for her mom during the dying process.
In her newest talk, the actor added that as she learned more about it, she felt that the vocation would be a good fit for her.
Read More: Nicole Kidman Has a New Focus After Keith Urban Divorce
“It’s very beautiful, and you have to be a certain personality to be able to do it. But I found out that I’m actually that personality,” she detailed.
“There is always suffering, but if there are people who can help with that, help those final stages less painful — if you feel the connection in your heart, then that’s lovely. So that’s what I’m exploring,” Kidman said.
9 Keith Urban Songs That Were Inspired By Nicole Kidman
During Keith Urban’s two-decade-long love story with Nicole Kidman, the singer recorded several songs inspired by their relationship. Some he wrote just for her, while others were outside cuts that made him think of his own love story.
The only upside to this couple’s devastating divorce news? Maybe we’ll get some amazing new heartbreak music from the country superstar.
Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak
