Hollywood was stunned when Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban confirmed their split after nearly two decades together. The Oscar-winning actress and the country music superstar seemed like one of the strongest couples in the entertainment industry, but new details reveal that the separation was not mutual—and that Kidman never truly wanted it to happen.
Nicole Kidman Wanted to Save the Marriage
According to reports, Kidman had been holding onto hope that she and Urban could repair their marriage. Insiders claim the 58-year-old actress has been trying to reconcile with her husband of 19 years since they first decided to live apart earlier this summer. While the couple has officially announced their breakup, sources close to the family emphasize that the decision was largely one-sided.
Family Comes First for Nicole
In the midst of the split, Kidman has remained focused on her children. She is currently living in their Nashville family home with their daughters Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14. Urban, meanwhile, has been residing separately within the same city as he continues his music tour. His next performance is scheduled in Hershey, Pennsylvania on October 2.
The couple has not released an official joint statement, and representatives for both stars have declined to comment further.
A Love Story That Spanned Two Decades
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban married in 2006 after a year of dating. For years, their relationship was considered one of Hollywood’s rare success stories. Just three months before announcing their separation, Kidman posted a heartfelt anniversary tribute on Instagram. Alongside a photo of the couple together, she wrote, “Happy Anniversary Baby,” marking their 19th year of marriage.
This public display of affection made the breakup news all the more surprising to fans.
The Portugal Residency Rumors
Speculation about trouble in their marriage first began circulating in July when reports revealed that Kidman had applied for residency in Portugal—but Urban’s name was missing from the paperwork. While some interpreted this as a sign of separation, sources clarified that Urban was unable to attend the appointment due to his U.S. tour schedule. He reportedly planned to apply later when his calendar allowed.
Why Nicole Fell for Keith
Though the couple has chosen not to disclose the reasons for their split, both have shared loving memories of how they fell in love. Urban once told Dax Shepard on the Armchair Expert podcast in 2020 that Kidman was “the one I was searching for my whole life.”
For her part, Kidman revealed in a 2019 People interview that she realized Urban was the love of her life after he surprised her with flowers on her 38th birthday, just months into their relationship.
Public Appearances Over the Years
Throughout their relationship, Kidman and Urban often expressed their affection publicly. From glamorous red carpets to intimate social media posts, they appeared deeply connected. Memorable moments include:
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Golden Globes 2020: Urban held Kidman’s hand as she was nominated for Big Little Lies.
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ACM Awards 2019: The pair shared sweet moments backstage, smiling like newlyweds.
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Australian Open 2019: Kidman cuddled up to Urban courtside during the semi-finals.
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CMA Awards 2018: The couple embraced after Urban won an award.
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Anniversary Tributes: Urban frequently posted loving messages on Instagram, including selfies from their 16th and 18th anniversaries.
These appearances painted the image of a couple deeply in love, making the news of their separation difficult for fans to process.
What Comes Next for Nicole and Keith?
At this stage, neither Kidman nor Urban has shared details about what ultimately caused the breakup. While Urban is fully immersed in his music tour, Kidman is balancing family responsibilities with upcoming film projects.
Although the relationship has come to an end, sources stress that both stars remain committed to co-parenting their daughters. For Kidman, family has always been her greatest priority, and those close to her believe she will continue focusing on her children while navigating this new chapter of her life.
A Bittersweet Ending to a Hollywood Love Story
For nearly 20 years, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban embodied the picture of a loving marriage. They celebrated milestones together, supported one another on red carpets, and built a family that became their center.
Yet, as their journey together comes to a close, Kidman’s heartbreak underscores how deeply invested she was in preserving their union. While fans may never know the full reasons behind their separation, one thing remains clear: this was a love story that defined an era in Hollywood, and its ending marks the close of one of entertainment’s most cherished romances.
