Nicole Kidman Nursed Her Ailing Mother as a Teen & Gave Her Massages, but Missed Her 80th Birthday — Here’s Why

Celebrated for her powerful performances and revered as one of Hollywood’s most talented actresses, Nicole Kidman recently faced an unimaginable personal loss.

On September 7, 2024, Nicole won the prestigious Best Actress award at the 81st Venice Film Festival for her role in the film “Babygirl.” However, the joy of this career milestone was overshadowed by heartbreaking news that forced her to leave Venice just as the ceremony began.

Nicole Kidman Misses Major Award Ceremony Following Devastating Loss

Nicole had traveled to Venice to attend the awards, but the sudden passing of her beloved mother, Janelle Anne Kidman, meant she could not stay to receive the accolade in person. Instead, the film’s director, Halina Reijn, took the stage to deliver Nicole’s remarks, reading from a statement prepared by the A-lister herself.

“Today, I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after my brave and beautiful mother, Janelle Anne Kidman, had just passed,” Nicole wrote. “I’m in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her.” Her words struck a chord with the audience, reflecting the depth of her grief and the profound influence her mother had on her life.

In her emotional statement, the Oscar winner highlighted the profound influence her mother had on every aspect of her life. “She shaped me, she guided me and she made me. I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina. The collision of life and art is heartbreaking. My heart is broken,” she wrote, highlighting the bittersweet intersection of a professional triumph and personal tragedy.

Janelle, 84, was a nursing instructor and a dedicated member of the Women’s Electoral Lobby, an Australian feminist group. Her commitment to her work and her influence on Nicole’s values and worldview were evident throughout the actress’s life.

Nicole’s bond with her mother was strengthened by years of personal caregiving. At just 17, the “Eyes Wide Shut” star temporarily stepped away from her burgeoning acting career to care for Janelle during a critical time in her life.

The Golden Globe winner even took a massage course specifically to aid in her mother’s rehabilitation, showcasing the deep dedication she had toward her family.

Growing up, Nicole witnessed her mother battle severe health challenges, experiences that left a lasting impact on her. As she matured, she became increasingly involved in raising awareness for women’s health issues, channeling her own pain into advocacy.

Nicole once shared how watching her mother fight breast cancer during her teenage years profoundly influenced her. “I have seen my mother go through it. I think that has had an effect on me. I was in my late teens and that impact has imprinted on me in a way I will never forget,” she said during a breast cancer awareness campaign.

Janelle’s journey affected the entire family, fostering a deep sense of vigilance and concern that Nicole carried into her own adulthood. “With my mother, it’s every year. Once it has affected your life you stay vigilant. You have to keep getting checked and your whole family gets affected by it eventually,” she noted.

Why Did Nicole Kidman Miss Her Mom’s Birthday & Mother’s Day Celebration?

Nicole’s deep connection with her mother was evident in every aspect of her life. Their bond was not just defined by shared experiences but also by the sacrifices Nicole made along the way, which often went unnoticed.

Despite her busy schedule, the 57-year-old star always prioritized her family, especially during difficult times. In 2020, the global pandemic brought an unprecedented separation that left many, including Nicole, longing for the comfort of family.

As the world went into lockdown, the “Moulin Rouge” alum found herself unable to visit her mother in Australia, a separation that was especially hard during significant family moments like Mother’s Day and Janelle’s 80th birthday.

Nicole expressed her deep sense of longing, revealing, “I would love to be able to have a cup of tea with mum and sit on the balcony and talk about life, and have her tell me what I should be doing.”

The distance was painful for Nicole, as she missed these cherished occasions with her mother. Reflecting on the challenges faced during the lockdown, she said, “Talk about just gut-wrenching. At least there’s FaceTime and technology because that’s been a saving grace. But for our family, not to have that [physical connection], it’s been really hard.”

Even during these times, the “Far and Away” star found solace in small moments of connection through technology. She would often FaceTime her mother, who, though hesitant about video calls, eventually learned to embrace the new form of communication.

Nicole fondly recalled coaching her mom on finding the best angles for video calls, laughing about Janelle’s resistance to Zoom. “She’s like, ‘No, no Zoom,'” Nicole joked, highlighting the light-hearted moments that kept them close despite the distance.

The bond between Nicole and her mother was deeply rooted not only in family but also in shared passions and values. Janelle played a pivotal role in shaping her daughter’s ambitions, always encouraging Nicole and her sister Antonia Kidman to pursue their own paths. “She’s given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I’ve always wanted to please her,” Nicole shared.

Janelle’s influence extended beyond words, driving Nicole to excel and ensuring that her daughters had opportunities that she did not. “Mum didn’t necessarily get the career that she wanted, but she was determined that her daughters would have opportunities that were equal,” Nicole mentioned. “That’s given me my life. And she gave me my life, she and my dad.”

When Janelle’s health took a turn for the worse in early 2022, Nicole did not hesitate to return to Australia to be by her side. Despite the ongoing pandemic, Nicole ensured her mother was surrounded by love and the people who mattered most—her grandchildren.

Speaking about this time, the “Aquaman” alum recounted a special outing, saying, “We were able to take her into the gallery after hours and show her the Matisse exhibit, which coming from a mother who’s raised me in the arts was very, very – it was soothing balm.”

Janelle’s influence on Nicole extended into every aspect of her life, including her sense of style. Nicole often spoke about her mother’s involvement in her fashion choices, a bond that continued well into Janelle’s later years.

“I grew up as a little girl with a grandmother that loved fashion and could sew, and my mother the same. They loved beautiful clothes. They could make beautiful clothes,” Nicole said during a 2023 interview, adding, “I watched them sew, embroider, and knit, crochet. And I think when you grow up seeing the people in your household do that, then you love that.”

Nicole further emphasized how her mother’s passion for fashion influenced her style, noting, “And my mother is still—she’s so involved in what I wear.” Janelle’s keen eye for detail and style remained a guiding force, as she continued to be involved in Nicole’s wardrobe decisions almost until the end.

Throughout her life, Janelle was more than a mother to Nicole—she was a source of inspiration, a confidante, and a constant presence who shaped her into the person she became.

Despite the physical distance and the challenges that came with it, Nicole Kidman’s connection with her mother never wavered. From moments of shared laughter to the quiet, personal times of care and support, their relationship was a testament to the enduring power of family.