Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have separated after 19 years of marriage, multiple outlets confirmed this week.
The Oscar-winning actress and the Grammy-winning country singer had reportedly been living apart since early summer 2024, according to TMZ, which first reported the news this week. Urban, 57, has since purchased his own residence in Nashville. Meanwhile, Kidman, 58, continues living in their longtime family home with their daughters, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14.
“Nicole has been holding the family together through this difficult time since Keith has been gone,” a source told TMZ, describing the split as one-sided. “She didn’t want the separation and has been trying to save the marriage.”
Urban, meanwhile, has not commented publicly on the reports, and neither has Kidman’s team. Whether the separation will lead to divorce is not yet known.
The couple’s separation came as a surprise to many in the entertainment industry and among fans. As recently as June 2024, Kidman posted a loving anniversary message to Urban, and they appeared together at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2024 in Texas. These displays contrasted with the recent news of their separation.
Kidman and Urban first met in 2005 at an event in Los Angeles celebrating Australian culture. They married the following year in Sydney in a star-studded ceremony that marked a new beginning for both of them.
Kidman had finalized her divorce from Tom Cruise in 2001, while Urban was at the height of his career in country music.
From the outset, the marriage faced challenges. Four months after their wedding, Urban entered the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse treatment, a move Kidman reportedly encouraged.
He later expressed regret for the strain it placed on their new life together, writing in a statement at the time: “I deeply regret the hurt this has caused Nicole and the ones that love and support me. With the strength and unwavering support I am blessed to have from my wife, family, and friends, I am determined and resolved to a positive outcome.”
In later interviews, Urban credited Kidman with rescuing him during that period, even dedicating a 2009 song, Thank You, to her. The lyrics included: “I thank you for my life, and I thank God for grace and mercy, and that you became my wife.”
For nearly two decades, the couple appeared to balance demanding careers with family life in Nashville. In 2023, Kidman said they maintained intimacy by avoiding text communication, preferring voice or in-person conversations.
Despite their efforts, the pressures of distance grew over time. In 2024, Urban spent much of the year on his High and Alive world tour, while Kidman worked internationally on new film projects. Friends close to the couple told People that these long separations, especially those occurring throughout 2023 and 2024, had become increasingly difficult.
Hollywood marriages often struggle with fame, conflict, and scrutiny, but many believed Kidman and Urban would be an exception. Their shared roots and history of overcoming challenges set them apart.
For now, the future of their marriage is uncertain. Sources indicate that Kidman is not ready to give up, while others suggest that Urban’s move has signaled a final decision. As one insider put it, “Sometimes relationships just run their course.”
