Nicole Kidman has filed for divorce from country music star Keith Urban, ending one of Hollywood’s longest high-profile marriages after nearly two decades.
A Hollywood Love Story Comes to an End
Court records show that Kidman filed her petition on Tuesday in a Nashville court, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The Oscar-winning actor, 58, and the Grammy-winning singer, 57, married in Sydney in 2006 after meeting a year earlier at an event honoring Australians in Los Angeles.
The couple had long been regarded as one of Hollywood’s most enduring partnerships, but the court filing confirms their marriage has reached a breaking point. They share two teenage daughters, while Kidman also has two older children from her previous marriage to Tom Cruise.
The filing marks the second divorce for Kidman and the first for Urban.
Public Declarations of Love and Struggles
Through the years, the couple often spoke openly about their devotion and challenges. Urban, who has battled substance abuse, recalled in 2023 that just four months into their marriage, he checked into rehab.
“Nic pushed through every negative voice, I’m sure even some of her own, and she chose love,” Urban said at the AFI Life Achievement Award tribute to Kidman. “And here we are 18 years later.”
That same year, Kidman downplayed the notion of “perfect couples” during the premiere of her Netflix series The Perfect Couple. “You’re heading for trouble if you consider yourselves the perfect couple,” she said. “I’m not a believer in perfect.”
Their willingness to speak candidly about struggles resonated with fans, making their separation all the more surprising.
Careers That Defined Generations
Kidman’s career has spanned more than three decades, with iconic roles in Moulin Rouge, Eyes Wide Shut and The Hours, which won her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2003. She has found recent success on television with Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers, both earning her Emmy wins as actor and producer.
Urban has been a major figure in country music since the 1990s, known for hits like Somebody Like You and Blue Ain’t Your Color. He has won four Grammy Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards and continued to headline major tours worldwide.
Their marriage was often seen as a rare Hollywood-country music bridge, combining two very different entertainment worlds.
Family Life in the Spotlight
The couple raised their daughters largely away from public view, choosing Nashville over Los Angeles as their primary home. While both pursued demanding careers, they frequently appeared together at major events, projecting an image of unity.
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They married in June 2006 in Sydney, surrounded by family and friends.
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They welcomed their first daughter in 2008 and their second in 2010.
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Despite their global fame, they kept family life relatively private compared with many celebrity couples.
This emphasis on privacy has fueled curiosity about the reasons behind the split, but court documents do not reveal details beyond the mention of irreconcilable differences.
What the Divorce Means Moving Forward
The legal process in Tennessee typically involves agreements on custody, assets and support. With both Kidman and Urban maintaining significant careers and wealth, negotiations are expected to be complex but handled discreetly.
For fans, the divorce closes a chapter on what many saw as a rare, genuine Hollywood love story that survived nearly two decades under intense public attention.
It is a reminder that even seemingly unshakable bonds face private struggles beyond the red carpets and award shows.
Kidman will continue her busy slate of film and television projects, while Urban is scheduled for tour dates later this year. Whether the two will make public statements about the divorce remains unclear.
The news has already sparked widespread discussion online, with many reflecting on the couple’s journey from star-crossed lovers to partners navigating addiction, fame and family life.
As their personal chapter ends, their legacies in film and music remain firmly intact.
