Nicole Kidman Reflects on Last Conversation She Had With Her Mother

The actress’ mother, Janelle Kidman, died in September at the age of 84.
Nicole Kidman Reflects on Last Conversation She Had With Her Mother
Janelle Ann Kidman (L) and Nicole Kidman attend the 2018 AACTA Awards in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 5, 2018. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images for AFI
Audrey Enjoli
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Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman has recounted the final conversation she shared with her mother, Janelle Kidman, who passed away in September at the age of 84.

“The final words my mama said—which I didn’t know were gonna be the final words, I was going to get on a plane and go back to see her—and she was like, ‘Maybe wait a minute because I think, you know, you just need to take care of yourself right now, Nicky,’” Kidman, 57, said during a recent appearance on CBS News’ “Sunday Morning.”

“So, I’m doing that more. And I say that to other people in the world, and particularly women,” she continued. “I think we tend not to take care of ourselves; we take care of everybody else.”

The Australian-American actress reflected on the profound impact that her mother’s last words have had on her life.

“My grandmother left me with ‘be happy,’ and my mom said ’take care of yourself,'” she said.

“I’m an older mother, so I want to be around for a long time for my girls,” she continued. “They’re amazing girls, and I’m lucky to have them.

“So taking care of myself means that I can take care of them.”

Kidman shares two daughters, Sunday, 16, and Faith, 13, with her husband of 18 years, country singer Keith Urban. The “Big Little Lies” star also shares two adopted children, Isabella, 31, and Connor, 29, with her ex-husband, actor Tom Cruise.

Following their mother’s passing, the actress and her younger sister, journalist Antonia Kidman, released a joint statement on Instagram expressing gratitude to fans and followers for the support their family had received.

“My sister and I along with our family want to thank you for the outpouring of love and kindness we have felt this week,” the sisters wrote on Sept. 12.

“Every message we have received from those who loved and admired our Mother has meant more to us than we will ever be able to express.

“Thank you from our whole family for respecting our privacy as we take care of each other.”

‘My Heart Is Broken’

Kidman learned of her mother’s death upon arriving at the Venice Film Festival in Italy on Sept. 7.

The actress—who was due to receive the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her new film, “Babygirl”—promptly departed the event to return to her family’s residence in Sydney, Australia.

The film’s director, Halina Reijn, later read a statement from Kidman while accepting the prestigious award on her behalf.

“Today, I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after that my beautiful, brave mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, has just passed. I am in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her. She shaped me, she guided me, and she made me.” Reijn said.

“I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina. The collision of life and art is heart-breaking, and my heart is broken.”

Nicole Kidman with her husband, Keith Urban, on Jan. 10, 2020. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Nicole Kidman with her husband, Keith Urban, on Jan. 10, 2020. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Kidman has previously spoken about the profound influence her mother had in shaping not only her personal life but also her professional career.

In a May 2020 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, the actress described her mother as her mentor, guide, and nurturer.

“She’s given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I’ve always wanted to please her,” Kidman said. “But she also carved her own path and wanted her daughters to have the same opportunity to carve their own paths.

“Mum didn’t necessarily get the career that she wanted, but she was determined that her daughters would have opportunities that were equal,” she added. “That’s given me my life. And she gave me my life, she and my dad.”

Janelle Kidman married her husband, Antony Kidman, in the early 1960s. The clinical psychologist, who worked at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia, died in September 2014 at the age of 75.

Kidman and her husband issued a joint statement on Facebook shortly after her father’s death, writing: “We would just like to thank everyone for their love and prayers over these past couple of weeks.”

The couple added: “We are all heartbroken but knowing we are in the hearts and thoughts of others is so comforting.”