Nicole Kidman has announced the passing of her beloved mother, Janelle Kidman, at the age of 84. The sad news came while the Australian actress was in Venice, Italy, attending the famous film festival where she was awarded Best Actress for her role in Babygirl.
Before she could accept the award, Kidman learned of her mother’s passing. The film’s director, Halina Reijn, accepted the award on her behalf and read a heartfelt message from Nicole.
“I arrived in Venice and shortly after found out that my beautiful, brave mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, has just passed away,” Kidman wrote. “I am in shock, and I need to be with my family. This award is for her. She shaped me, guided me, and made me who I am.”
Kidman expressed deep gratitude that the audience was hearing her mother’s name, saying,
“The collision of life and art is heartbreaking, and my heart is broken.”
Reijn closed the message by saying, “We love you, Nicole.”
The cause of Janelle Kidman’s death is not yet known, though she had faced heart issues in the past, including a hospitalization in 2016. In 2022, Nicole shared that she had returned to Australia from the US to care for her mother, wanting her to be surrounded by family, including her grandchildren.
Nicole has always been close to her mother and sister, Antonia Kidman, an Australian journalist. Nicole’s father, Tony Kidman, passed away in 2014.