Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman has officially filed for divorce from her Grammy-winning husband, Keith Urban, bringing an end to their marriage of almost two decades. Court records filed Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, confirm the separation.
Kidman, 58, cited irreconcilable differences in her petition to dissolve the marriage. The news of their split first emerged on Monday, with reports quickly circulating across celebrity news outlets. The couple shares two daughters.
Their relationship began in January 2005, during the G’Day L.A. gala in Los Angeles, an event celebrating Australian-American ties where both stars were being honored.
Recalling their initial encounter during a speech last year, Urban fondly recounted how he tried to “play it cool” but felt like he had “snuck into the royal ball” upon meeting Kidman, describing her as having an “otherworldly aura.” He even joked that his approach sounded like a line from ‘Crocodile Dundee.’
Despite his initial awe, Urban was almost too intimidated to call Kidman after their first meeting, admitting he was “scared!” during a 2017 appearance on “The Graham Norton Show.”
Just a few months later, their romance blossomed, and by May 2006, Kidman confirmed their engagement, telling People magazine that Urban was “very good to me.” Their wedding followed a month later in Australia.
A challenging period arose approximately four months into their marriage when Urban sought treatment for three months at a rehabilitation facility. At the time, he expressed profound regret for the pain caused to Kidman and their loved ones.
In a candid interview earlier this year on a popular podcast, Urban, now sober, reflected on that difficult time, revealing that Kidman initiated an intervention that marked a pivotal turning point in his life.
For many, their enduring marriage was a rare success story in Hollywood, often lauded as an exemplary union among the rich and famous.
Before Urban, Kidman was married to actor Tom Cruise for over a decade, divorcing in 2001. They share two children.
Last year, while promoting her Netflix series “The Perfect Couple,” Kidman offered a grounded perspective on relationships. She told a major news agency, “I don’t think anyone is the perfect anything. You’re heading for trouble if you consider yourself the perfect couple.”
Kidman boasts a celebrated career with numerous acclaimed film performances, including her Oscar-winning role in “The Hours” (2003), as well as roles in “Babygirl” and “Moulin Rouge.” She has also been a prominent figure on television, starring in popular limited series such as “Big Little Lies,” “Nine Perfect Strangers,” “The Undoing,” and “The Perfect Couple.” Recently, she shared on social media that she had completed filming for “Practical Magic 2,” the much-anticipated sequel to the 1998 fan favorite.
Keith Urban, a globally renowned country music artist, received the prestigious “Triple Crown Award” in May for his multiple American Country Music Awards wins. In his acceptance speech, he publicly acknowledged and thanked Kidman, saying, “My wife, Nicole Mary, is here tonight. I love you, baby girl.”