Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman has officially filed for divorce from her Grammy-winning husband, Keith Urban, bringing an end to their marriage of nearly two decades, as confirmed by recent court documents.
In legal papers submitted to the circuit court in Nashville, Tennessee, where the prominent entertainment figures reside, Ms. Kidman, 58, cited ‘irreconcilable differences’ as the reason for dissolving their union.
Speculation about their separation began to surface on Monday, following reports on various celebrity news outlets. The couple shares two daughters.
Their journey together began in January 2005, when Ms. Kidman, 57, and Mr. Urban were both recognized at the annual G’Day L.A. gala, an event hosted by the American Australian Association in Los Angeles.
During a touching speech last year, when Ms. Kidman received a lifetime achievement award from the American Film Institute, Mr. Urban playfully recounted their first encounter, likening his approach to a ‘Crocodile Dundee’ pickup line.
He confessed to feeling like he had ‘snuck into the royal ball,’ describing Ms. Kidman as having an ‘otherworldly aura’ that made him feel as if he were ‘meeting a real-life princess.’
Despite his initial awe, Mr. Urban admitted on a 2017 episode of ‘The Graham Norton Show’ that he was almost too intimidated to call her after their first meeting, openly stating, ‘I was scared!’
They began dating a few months after their initial meeting, and in May 2006, Ms. Kidman publicly confirmed their engagement to a popular magazine, expressing her affection with, ‘He’s very good to me.’ Their wedding followed a month later in Australia.
Just four months after their vows, Mr. Urban voluntarily entered a three-month rehabilitation program. At the time, he expressed profound remorse, stating his deep regret for ‘the hurt this has caused Nicole and the ones that love and support me.’
Reflecting on that pivotal period during an interview on a spring podcast, a now-sober Mr. Urban credited Ms. Kidman with initiating an intervention that marked a significant turning point in his life.
Their enduring marriage was widely regarded as a rare success story in Hollywood, often lauded as an exemplary relationship among the rich and famous. Last June, Ms. Kidman posted a poignant black-and-white photograph on social media, showing her head resting affectionately on Mr. Urban’s shoulder.
Accompanying the image, Ms. Kidman sweetly captioned it with ‘Happy Anniversary Baby,’ followed by a heart emoji.
Just days before their anniversary post, the couple made a public appearance together at a FIFA Club World Cup soccer match held at GEODIS Park in Nashville.
However, tensions may have been simmering. When questioned by an Australian radio host in July about Ms. Kidman’s romantic scenes with younger co-stars, such as Zac Efron in a 2024 Netflix film, Mr. Urban abruptly ended the interview.
Before her marriage to Mr. Urban, Ms. Kidman was famously married to actor Tom Cruise for over a decade, with whom she shares two children. Their divorce was finalized in 2001.
Last year, while promoting her Netflix series ‘The Perfect Couple’ on the red carpet, Ms. Kidman sagely remarked, ‘I don’t think anyone is the perfect anything. You’re heading for trouble if you consider yourself the perfect couple,’ a statement that now resonates with unexpected poignancy.
Ms. Kidman boasts an impressive filmography, celebrated for her roles in critically acclaimed movies like ‘The Hours,’ which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2003, as well as ‘Babygirl’ and ‘Moulin Rouge.’ She has also graced numerous television productions, becoming a prominent figure on streaming platforms with limited series such as ‘Big Little Lies,’ ‘Nine Perfect Strangers,’ ‘The Undoing,’ and ‘The Perfect Couple.’ Fans eagerly anticipate her return to the screen in ‘Practical Magic 2,’ a sequel to the beloved 1998 film, for which she recently announced the completion of filming on social media.
Mr. Urban, an internationally renowned country music sensation, has also left his mark on television as a judge on ‘American Idol’ and a coach on ‘The Voice Australia.’ In May, he was honored with the ‘Triple Crown Award’ for his multiple wins at the American Country Music Awards. During his acceptance speech, he publicly acknowledged and thanked Ms. Kidman, affectionately calling her ‘My wife, Nicole Mary,’ and concluding with a heartfelt, ‘I love you, baby girl.’