Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 30, 2025 · Entertainment

Nicole Kidman's Motherly Wisdom: Lessons from Janelle on Love and Loss

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's 19-year marriage has come to a close, but the Australian actress is facing this heartbreak armed with lessons she learned from her late mother Janelle. Nicole and Keith are pictured

Nicole Kidman's 19-Year Marriage to Keith Urban Crumbles: A Tale of Love, Addiction, and a Jaw-Dropping Prenup

In a shocking turn of events, Australian actress Nicole Kidman and her husband of nearly two decades, Keith Urban, have parted ways after 19 years of marriage. The news has left fans reeling, wondering what could have caused the seemingly unbreakable bond between the power couple to crack.

As we delve into the complexities of their relationship, it becomes clear that their tumultuous journey was marked by moments of intense love, devastating heartache, and a jaw-dropping prenuptial agreement that's left many questioning the true nature of their union. But before we get to the juicy details, let's take a step back and appreciate the foundation upon which their marriage was built.

In an essay for The Sydney Morning Herald, Kidman credited her beloved mother - who died in September last year - for teaching her what it takes to build a lasting relationship. Pictured together in 2018

Lessons from Mom

Nicole has often credited her late mother, Janelle, for teaching her the secrets to building a long-lasting and successful relationship. In a heartfelt essay penned for The Sydney Morning Herald last May, Nicole reflected on the lessons she learned from her parents' 50-year union. She wrote, "My father was a man who loved my mother, which was the most beautiful thing to grow up watching... He was so loving to her and devoted to her... They married very young and made it to 50 years... a feat!"

Nicole's parents served as the ultimate role models for the actress, who has built a marriage of nearly two decades with Keith Urban. But despite their best efforts and the wise lessons they carried from their parents, the couple's union ultimately succumbed to the pressures of fame, addiction, and the ever-present scrutiny of the media.

'In my father [Antony, who died in 2014], I just saw a man who loved my mother, which was the most beautiful thing to grow up watching,' Nicole wrote. 'He was so loving to her and devoted to her.' Pictured with her parents in 2003

The 'Cocaine Clause'

As Radar Online reports, the couple had signed a prenuptial agreement before their 2006 wedding that awards Keith Urban $900,000 for every year of marriage. However, there's a catch – or rather, a clause that reads like something out of a soap opera: the 'Cocaine Clause.' According to insiders, this particular stipulation states that Urban is only eligible for the payout if he remains sober and free from substance abuse throughout their marriage.

Keith Urban has been open about his past struggles with addiction, including a 2010 interview with Oprah Winfrey where he recalled how Nicole staged an intervention just months after their wedding. "She made a decision to turn around and ultimately initiate this intervention," he said. "It was done in such a way that the love in that room at that moment was just right... I was like, 'Put the cuffs on, let's go.'"

The couple's prenup is reportedly worth a staggering $17 million – a sum that could be pocketed by Urban if their marriage ends in divorce. But here's the kicker: sources close to the family reveal that Nicole fought tooth and nail to save their union, even as they faced increasingly trying times.

A Marriage on the Rocks

Despite their best efforts, it seems that Keith Urban's struggles with addiction have ultimately taken a toll on their relationship. Insiders claim that the couple grew apart after the death of Janelle in September 2024, and their last public appearance together at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match hinted at tension.

Body language expert Louise Mahler observed that Kidman was "fiddling with her left hand" while Urban avoided eye contact – a stark contrast to their usual displays of affection. Their marriage had long been put under scrutiny, with sources revealing that they had barely escaped bankruptcy in the early 2000s after Urban's addiction issues nearly destroyed their finances.

A New Chapter for Nicole

As Nicole navigates this difficult time, she can take comfort in knowing that she has emerged stronger and more resilient than ever. With two beautiful daughters to care for – Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14 – Kidman is undoubtedly focused on providing stability and love for her children as they navigate the complexities of their parents' separation.

While there's no word yet on whether Nicole and Keith will reconcile, sources suggest that a reunion is still possible – albeit unlikely in the immediate future. As both actors continue to prioritize their careers and family commitments, it seems that their lives are set to go in separate directions for now.

The Final Word

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's marriage may have come crashing down around them, but one thing remains clear: their love story will forever be a testament to the enduring power of human connection. As we bid farewell to this once-storied union, we're reminded that true love knows no bounds – not even those imposed by a jaw-dropping prenup or the pressures of fame and addiction.

Sources:

  • The Sydney Morning Herald
  • Radar Online
  • Oprah Winfrey's 2010 interview with Keith Urban