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Nicole Kidman is one of the most beloved and successful actors in the world today. From her early roles in classic movies such as To Die For, she has starred in some of the biggest productions in modern history such as Moulin Rouge and The Hours.
The Oscar-winning actress is also known for her high-profile marriage and divorce from Tom Cruise, something that played out hugely in the public eye.
But behind closed doors, there’s a huge amount about Kidman’s true-life story that not even the most dedicated fan might know. Let’s take a look back at the secret truth of Kidman’s rise to fame.
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A Star is Born
Nicole Kidman was born Nicole Mary Kidman on June 20, 1967, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her parents were Anthony Kidman, a scientist and author, and Janelle Ann Glenny, a nursing instructor and editor.
Even though she was born in the U.S., Kidman is a dual citizen of both the U.S. and Australia, as her parents are Australian. So from an early age, she was the epitome of a global citizen—but little did anyone know that she would grow up to become a truly international star in more ways than one.
Down Under
Even though Nicole was born in Hawaii, her parents were actually Australian and were in the U.S. on a tourist visa when she was born.
And so they returned to Australia when she was around 4 years old, and she grew up in Sydney. These days, she is one of the biggest and most famous Australian exports in history—though her life would find its way back to where she came from, in the most unexpected and turbulent of ways.
Showing Promise
From an early age, it was clear that Nicole Kidman was a born entertainer and had what it took to become a star. During her school years, she was part of a local theater group, and actually made her movie debut at the tender age of 16—in 1983’s Bush Christmas.
Around this time, she attended an open call for a bathing suit commercial where she met a fellow aspiring actress named Naomi Watts. The two would later go on to both become huge stars—and their friendship would inspire many.
Breaking Out
In 1989 she starred in the Hollywood movie Dead Calm, which put her firmly on the U.S. showbiz map but it was in 1991 that Nicole Kidman landed the roles that would start getting her noticed throughout the Australian film industry and further across the globe.
In 1991, she starred in the movie Flirting, alongside her now-best friend Naomi Watts, and also another Hollywood flick Billy Bathgate.
But it was a very different Hollywood experience that was about to see Kidman hit the headlines.
Whirlwind Romance
By this time, Kidman had been well and truly noticed by both the Australian and Hollywood movie industries, and film execs and producers all over the world were quickly falling in love with her.
But one particular showbiz bigwig fell in love in a totally major way—and she fell head over heels back.
That showbiz icon and paramour was of course none other than Top Gun star and Hollywood heartthrob Tom Cruise. The two met on the set of 1990’s Days of Thunder, which put her firmly in the Hollywood gaze—and into Cruise’s arms.
Wedding Bells
Before long, Cruise and Kidman had become the ultimate Hollywood power couple. Both incredibly talented and charming, not to mention attractive, the two of them seemed utterly perfect for each other in more ways than one.
And so the world rejoiced when the happy couple tied the knot in December 1991, when Kidman was 23 and Cruise was 28.
“I was so young when I got married,” Kidman said to the U.K.’s Red magazine. “I look back now and I’m like, ‘What?’”
Pitter Patter
If anyone thought that the young lovebirds Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise were rushing into their marriage and life together, it wouldn’t have mattered—because the two of them were completely and utterly in love.
And so not long after their marriage, they welcomed two children together—adopting a daughter, Isabella, and a son, Connor.
“I had two kids by the time I was 27 and I’d been married for four years,” she said to Red. “But that’s what I wanted.”
Picture Perfect
It seemed to the world that Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise had truly the most idyllic Hollywood and showbiz life that the rest of us could only dream of. Not only were they both incredibly successful, rich, and famous, but they had found their soulmate in each other, and a happy loving marriage and two gorgeous children.
“I fell madly, passionately in love,” Kidman said to DuJour magazine. “I would have gone to the ends of the earth for him.”
It seemed that they had both found their true happy ending—but in truth, their journeys were just beginning.
Knight in Shining Armor
As well as finding a kindred spirit in one another as they navigated the crazy world of Hollywood together, Kidman revealed that her marriage to Cruise helped protect her from some of the darker aspects of life in the industry.
"I married for love, but being married to an extremely powerful man kept me from being sexually harassed,” she wrote in an essay for New York Magazine. It seemed that both in her career and personal life, she truly had it all.
Hollywood Legend
Even though her personal life was reaching new and breathtaking heights, that didn’t mean that Kidman took a break from her burgeoning Hollywood career. Far from it!
Around this time, she continued to star in a string of mega box office hits, such as 1995’s To Die For and 1998’s Practical Magic. In 1999, she starred alongside her husband Tom Cruise in Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut.
Cruise and Kidman were truly on top of the world—but no one had any idea this world was about to come crashing down.
Splitsville
For over a decade, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman reigned supreme as the king and queen of the Hollywood kingdom. It seemed that their empire would never fall, their love for each other as strong and unbreakable as their acting talents.
But fall it did, and the world was shocked when in 2001, they announced they were divorcing after over 10 years of marriage.
And the thing that everyone really wanted to know was—what was the reason behind their split?
Faith Friction
As time went on, various rumors began to swirl as to what was the true reason behind Cruise and Kidman’s split. Of course, there were the usual rumors of infidelity or other bad behaviors, but one particular rumor stood out more than most—that it was Cruise’s involvement in Scientology that had eventually torn this once utterly besotted couple apart.
“If you’re a Scientologist, you see life, things, the way they are, in all its glory, in all of its perplexity,” Cruise once said of his religion to Times Online.
But rumors about a dark side to this faith have been circulating for years.
Speaking Out
Tom Cruise is not the only celebrity to be associated with Scientology, but another famous name is much less enamored with it—none other than King of Queens star Leah Remini.
Remini recalled in her tell-all memoir Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology that the faith was actually extremely oppressive and that Kidman was ostracized by the Church because of her resistance to obey its strict laws.
Kidman has always avoided speaking out directly about Scientology, but it’s clear that it was a point of contention between her and Cruise.
Oh Happy Day
Even though the world was incredibly shocked and sad to learn that their favorite Hollywood couple was calling it quits after more than a decade together, no one could fail to feel moved by Kidman’s clear kindness and empathy throughout the divorce process.
The proceedings ended up taking several months, and when Kidman finally left her lawyer’s office with the divorce finalized, she was famously spotted throwing her arms in the air in joy—an image that remains an icon of celebrity culture even to this day.
Standing Tall
Over the course of their 10+ year marriage, one thing the tabloids and fans always enjoyed gently making fun of was how much taller Kidman was than her husband.
And when asked by David Letterman what she appreciated most about being single again, Kidman simultaneously managed to stay classy and coy by not divulging anything private, but also nodding to this much-loved joke, when she said, “I can wear heels now.”
Even though Kidman remained respectful and private about her divorce, it was clear that she was living her best life without Cruise.
Kind Words
Even though it was clear she had gone through an incredibly difficult time with her divorce, and some say even during the marriage itself, Kidman always remained nothing but respectful of Tom Cruise and refused ever to divulge anything negative or disparaging about him or their marriage—always highlighting that the main reason for their split was simply that they got married too young.
"I got married really fast and really young,” she said to Who magazine. “But I don't regret that because it got me Bella and Connor, and I did have a fantastic marriage for a long period."
However, there were some things that Kidman couldn’t deny caused her great regret.
The Kids Aren’t All Right
Throughout the course of her marriage, divorce, and subsequent ensuing career, Kidman always stayed incredibly positive and respectful when discussing her life and family with the press.
However, there was one thing she couldn’t gloss over that truly caused her incredible pain—that her two children, Isabella and Connor, chose to remain with Cruise, and within the Church of Scientology.
Throughout the years to come, speculation would continue to be rife over a rumored rift between Kidman and her beloved children—but something that she would remain silent over for years.
New Heights
Even though her personal life was going through an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time, Kidman didn’t let this stop her from continuing to pursue her dreams when it came to her career—and her new single life was just the beginning of her reaching new levels of stardom.
Because in 2001, she appeared in Baz Luhrmann's classic musical epic Moulin Rouge, which became a global phenomenon and earned her the Golden Globe Award.
But this was only the beginning of Kidman’s career resurgence.
Global Recognition
For many actresses, winning the Golden Globe award would be a career high and the absolute peak of her Hollywood dreams. But for Kidman, this was only just the beginning.
Because the following year she starred in the complex drama The Hours, as legendary author Virginia Woolf. Kidman’s performance and commitment to the role—she famously wore facial prosthetics to look more like her real-life character—won her the Oscar for Best Actress.
It seemed that her career was truly at a new high—and things were about to take off in her personal life, too.
Hollywood Heroine
Over the next few years, Kidman continued to cement her position as a bona fide Hollywood heavyweight. She appeared in movies such as Anthony Minghella’s Civil War epic Cold Mountain in 2003 alongside Jude Law, Renee Zellweger, and Natalie Portman. She also starred in Lars von Trier’s Dogville in 2004, as well as comedies such as 2004’s The Stepford Wives and 2005’s Bewitched.
It seemed that career-wise, everything was back on top for Nicole Kidman—and now it was time for her personal life to be complete, too.
New Love
After the very public heartbreak of her split and divorce from Tom Cruise, it made sense that in the years following, Kidman was extremely private about her personal life and particularly when it came to her romantic adventures.
And so she did not reveal for some time that she was in fact dating country singer and fellow Australian Keith Urban—and the world was delighted when in 2006, she announced their engagement.
Their star-studded Aussie wedding included guests such as Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman and of course, Kidman’s best friend Naomi Watts.
Tough Times
It seemed that after so much anguish and heartbreak following her divorce from Tom Cruise, and the silent but much-speculated estrangement from her children, things were finally looking smoother and easier for Nicole Kidman in her personal life.
But fans and media outlets were shocked when shortly after her marriage to Keith Urban, the couple announced that he was entering a rehab center to deal with a drinking problem.
Though it was undoubtedly a difficult time, the two of them stayed strong and Kidman supported Urban through this challenging period—and when he left rehab, they seemed even stronger together.
Bundles of Joy
Much has been made in the public and the press of Kidman’s alleged estrangement from her children with Tom Cruise. It must have been incredibly hard for her to not only separate from her husband but also lose contact and closeness with her beloved children Isabella and Connor.
But the joy of motherhood looked to be on the cards once again for Kidman in 2008, when she welcomed her first child with Keith Urban—a daughter named Sunday Rose.
It seemed that Kidman had been given a second chance at love, in more ways than one.
Tragic Struggle
It was clearly dear to Kidman’s heart that she become a mother once again, but she actually revealed years later that her journey to conceive had been an incredibly difficult and challenging one.
Because she later divulged that she and Cruise had decided to adopt Isabella and Connor after she had suffered a miscarriage early in their marriage.
“From the minute Tom and I were married, I wanted to have babies,” she said to Marie Claire. “And we lost a baby early on, so that was really very traumatic.”
A Long Journey
Fans and media outlets alike were incredibly moved by Kidman opening up about her past struggles with conceiving. And she actually went on to reveal that she and Cruise had almost had another baby—but she had another miscarriage while she and Cruise were in the process of splitting up.
As you can imagine, this second loss hit Kidman incredibly hard and she found herself struggling with mental health issues as a result.
“When it didn’t work out I had to really dig deep and find my way through depression,” she said to Who magazine.
Miracle Baby
When fans knew the truth of Kidman’s struggle to conceive, they were even more delighted for her that she had welcomed her first biological child after such trials.
“I had tried and failed and failed and failed,” she said. “Not to be too detailed, but I’ve had an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriages and I’ve had fertility treatments. I’ve done all the stuff you can possibly do to try to get pregnant … Every woman who has been through all those ups and downs knows the depression that comes with it. So the way it just happened with Sunday was like, 'what?' The percentages were so low. It is the miracle in my life."
Road to Motherhood
It must have been wonderful for Kidman to finally have found love after the devastating split from her first family, with both Keith Urban and her daughter with him.
It’s clear that being a mother truly agreed with Kidman, as she continued to yearn for even more children. And so in 2010, Kidman and Urban welcomed a second daughter, named Faith Margaret, via a surrogate.
“I’m one of the few people in the world who has experienced so many different forms of (motherhood),” she said to BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, having gone through adoption, pregnancy, and surrogacy.
Painful Past
By this time, it seemed that Kidman’s long-held dreams of becoming a mother had come true in so many different ways. She now had a grand total of four children who she loved unconditionally—two via adoption with Tom Cruise, and two with Keith Urban—one via pregnancy, and one via surrogacy.
But it seemed that her relationship with her first two children remained difficult, as she revealed to Hello! magazine that they still refused to live with her.
“They live with Tom, which was their choice,” she said. “I’d love them to live with us, but what can you do?”
More Movies
As Kidman continued to reach new heights in her personal life, this didn’t stop her from leading a storm with leading parts in some of the most successful movies of the era. Around this time, she reunited with Moulin Rouge director Baz Lurhmann for the epic drama Australia, as well as the movie adaptation of the movie musical Nine.
Not only that, but she starred in the 2010 drama Rabbit Hole—earning her critical acclaim and another Oscar nomination.
But the shadows of her personal life were about to cast a dark shade over her incredible achievements.
Moving On
After her incredibly high-profile split with Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman had gone on to settle down into a relatively quiet life with her new husband Keith Urban. Cruise, on the other hand, had done almost the exact opposite—entering to an even more public and many say over-the-top relationship, and then marriage, with Dawson’s Creek star Katie Holmes.
And in 2012 when Holmes and Cruise endured a very public split, of course, many people wanted to hear Kidman’s take on it—but she remained characteristically dignified.
"I wish all of them well,” she said to Who magazine, “but I was not involved in any of that."
Stars in Her Eyes
Despite the media obsession trying to pull her into the very public divorce drama playing out between her ex-husband Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Kidman maintained a dignified silence and preferred to concentrate on hitting headlines for her work and talent.
In 2014 she starred as the much-loved actress turned princess Grace Kelly in the Emmy-nominated Grace of Monaco, as well as Before I Go to Sleep and Paddington.
In 2015, she brought another key figure of history to life when she played espionage adventurer Gertrude Bell in Werner Herzog’s Queen of the Desert.
Mother Lioness
In 2016, Kidman gave what many regarded as the best performance of her career, in the moving film Lion. In it, Kidman’s character adopts a child—a subject of course close to her heart.
"It was important to me because I'm a mother with adopted children,” she said to Town and Country magazine. "This movie is a love letter to my children … I feel that (unconditional love) for my own children who are adopted. It's not about anything else other than 'I wanted you.' It's that deep and personal, and whatever your journey is, I'm here to love and support you. That's what I connected to."
True Success
By this time, Kidman had long reigned supreme as one of the most beloved and successful women in Hollywood. Her incredible career in movies had become the stuff of legends and was surpassed by almost nobody.
And so the world was amazed when she announced that this movie legend was making a new and unexpected move—into the world of television. HBO’s Big Little Lies became one of the most popular and acclaimed series of all time, winning a host of awards and critical praise.
Critical Acclaim
It came as no surprise to anyone that Kidman was an incredibly talented and brilliant actress. However, not everyone can make the successful transition from movies to TV—and Kidman surpassed all expectations when she won not only a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for her role, but also an Emmy.
But something about her Emmy acceptance speech rubbed many fans the wrong way—and had people asking questions for all the wrong reasons.
Missing Mom
As Kidman took to the stage to accept her Emmy, she delivered an emotional speech thanking her loved ones. "I have a huge artistic family who supported me throughout all my ups and down,” she said to the crowds. “I have two little girls—Sunnie and Faith. And my darling Keith who I asked to help me pursue this artistic path. And they have sacrificed so much for it. So this is yours.”
An incredibly moving speech from a grateful wife and mother—but there was just one problem. Where were Isabella and Connor in these beautiful words?
Bold Backlash
As news of Kidman’s reported snub of her adopted children spread throughout the world media, people began slamming her for seeming to not love them as much as her biological children.
But those close to her knew that Kidman had long had a complicated relationship with her two older children, due to their different life choices—but that didn’t mean that she loved them any less.
“They are adults,” she said to Who magazine. “They are able to make their own decisions. They have made choices to be Scientologists, and as a mother, it’s my job to love them.”
Staying Strong
Despite the very public criticism of her choice of words and what it appeared to say about her parenting, Kidman maintained that she had nothing but love for all her children—and that this was the most important thing in her life.
“That’s what I believe—that no matter what your child does, the child has love,” she said to Who magazine. “The child has to know there is available love and I’m open here. I think that’s so important… So that’s our job as a parent, to always offer unconditional love.”
Applause Applause
By this time, Nicole Kidman had become pretty comfortable being headline news, whether it’s for the ups and downs of her personal life, or because of her amazing work and talent in both movies and TV.
But she wasn’t prepared to find herself turned into a meme, after a very strange appearance at the 2017 Oscars.
A video captured Kidman clapping in an incredibly strange way, and the clip and its associated hilarious memes went viral in an instant.
Later, Kidman revealed to Australian radio station KIIS 1065 that her strange clapping was an attempt to protect a borrowed diamond ring she was wearing.
Appreciation Stations
After so many years at the top of the Hollywood hierarchy, you might assume that Nicole Kidman had developed a huge ego and a sense of entitlement. But even as recently as May 2019, Kidman continued to be appreciative of those around her—especially the men in her life.
“I have the most extraordinary partner in life. I will always say that about him,” she said to Entertainment Tonight. “I’m one of the very fortunate women in the world to have had a wonderful father, and I have a wonderful husband.”
Burning Up
Even though Kidman is one of the most rich and famous celebrities in the world, no amount of money or power can withstand the strongest force of them all—Mother Nature.
And so in 2020, Kidman watched in fear as her house was endangered by the rapidly spreading Australian bushfires. “Our home is OK," she later confirmed to Extra. "It's been under threat, though, it's been under enormous threat, and the surrounding areas have been very, very badly burned."
Spreading Controversy
Throughout her career, Kidman has always been known for remaining dignified and respectable, choosing never to speak ill of anyone else, and gaining her a kind of universal respect.
However, even the much-loved Kidman incurred some wrath when she traveled to Hong Kong during the pandemic and seemingly skipped a mandatory quarantine.
The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau confirmed that Kidman was exempt from the quarantine because her work was “conducive to maintain the necessary operation and development of Hong Kong’s economy,” but the local people on the ground weren’t happy.
Looking to the Future
Nicole Kidman has undoubtedly had one of the most successful and long-lasting showbiz careers in Hollywood history. She is equally adored across the globe not only for her talent and skill as an actress but also for her openness and dignified demeanor—sharing her feelings willingly but without ever speaking ill of others.
“I wish all of the people that have been involved in my life well,” she said to Who magazine. “It's very important to me to be in a place of forgiveness and love."
Kidman’s talent, perseverance and kindness to others is an inspiration to us all.
