Nicole Kidman wanted to accept an award at the Venice Film Festival. But then she received the news of her mother’s death.
Nicole Kidman (57) was due to be honored as best actress at the Venice Film Festival on the evening of September 7. However, the Australian Hollywood star was unable to accept the trophy for her role in the erotic thriller “Babygirl” (German cinema release: January 16, 2025) due to the unexpected death of her mother Janelle Ann Kidman (1940-1984).
“My heart is broken,” said the actress in a statement that was read out on stage on her behalf by the film’s Dutch director, Halina Reijn (48). She learned of the death of her “beautiful, brave mother Janelle Ann Kidman” shortly after arriving in Venice. “I am in shock and have to go to my family. But this award is for her. She shaped me, she guided me, and she made me,” said Kidman about her mother. Janelle Ann Kidman was 84 years old.
Close relationship between mother and daughter
Nicole Kidman and her mother were close. Janelle Ann often accompanied her daughter to events and posed with her on the red carpet. In January 2022, the Oscar winner revealed that her mother was ill and that she wanted to take better care of her. “I’m at a point where I have the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of an 81-year-old woman because we are so close,” she explained at the time.
Kidman also occasionally shared pictures with her mom on social media, including on Mother’s Day 2023. “My beautiful mom, happy Mother’s Day! I couldn’t love you more,” she wrote alongside a childhood photo with her mother and her sister Antonia (54). Kidman’s father Antony (1938-2014) died in 2014.
Source: Stern
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