Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban: From Fairytale Romance to Heartbreaking Split After 19 Years
Celebrity breakups always grab attention, but some hit harder than others. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s separation after nearly two decades together is one of those moments. For years, they were seen as one of Hollywood’s strongest couples, balancing fame, family, and personal struggles while keeping their love alive.
Now, after 19 years of marriage, Nicole has officially filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Their split shocked fans who admired their romance from the very beginning. Here’s a full timeline of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s relationship, from where it started to how it ended.
How Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban Met
The couple’s story began in January 2005 at the G’Day LA gala ball. At first, it didn’t seem like a romance was on the horizon. In fact, it took Keith several months to finally ask Nicole out.
On The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2013, Nicole shared the story. “I’m like, ‘You didn’t love me at first sight, you didn’t notice me,’ and he’s like, ‘Yes I did but I just didn’t let on,’ but we kind of met and then about four months later he called me.”
Ellen joked, “Four months later? That’s really playing it cool to wait that long.”
Nicole laughed, “Yeah, that’s a long time. That’s why I’m like, ‘You really didn’t like me when you first met me.’ He said he had other things he had to take care… Guys right, men?”
Keith later admitted in a 2018 interview that he was nervous. “I’d never have thought she’d see anything in a guy like me. But at some point I plucked up the courage to call those numbers, and she answered. We started talking, and we talked and talked and talked and talked, and it was effortless.”
Falling in Love and Tying the Knot
Their romance quickly became serious. In February 2006, Nicole and Keith made their public debut at the Grammy Awards. Just a few months later, Nicole confirmed she was engaged, telling reporters, “He’s actually my fiancé. I wouldn’t be bringing my boyfriend.”
The wedding followed in June 2006, held in Sydney at the Cardinal Cerretti Chapel. It was a stunning Catholic ceremony with family and friends gathered. Nicole wore a Balenciaga gown, while Keith looked sharp in a tuxedo. Their reception had a Romeo and Juliet theme, and Keith serenaded Nicole with the touching line: “I’m gonna love you like nobody loves you, and I’ll earn your trust making memories of us.”
It was the beginning of what many believed would be a lifelong Hollywood romance.
Marriage Tested by Struggles
Only six months after their wedding, Keith entered rehab at the Betty Ford Clinic following a relapse into alcohol addiction. Nicole was photographed supporting him during this difficult time.
Keith released a statement saying, “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.”
There were also rumors and allegations about his past, but Keith denied them. Nicole’s loyalty never wavered, proving just how strong their bond was in those early years.
Family Life in Nashville
Their love story grew with the arrival of children. In July 2008, they welcomed daughter Sunday Rose. Then, in December 2010, they announced the birth of their second daughter, Faith Margaret, who was carried by a surrogate.
The couple shared their gratitude in a joint statement: “Our family is truly blessed, and just so thankful, to have been given the gift of baby Faith Margaret. No words can adequately convey the incredible gratitude that we feel for everyone who was so supportive throughout this process, in particular our gestational carrier.”
Nicole and Keith settled into life in Nashville, away from the constant spotlight of Hollywood, and built a quiet family life together.
Heartbreak and Healing
In 2014, Nicole lost her father, Dr. Antony Kidman, to a suspected heart attack. Keith was her rock through the devastating loss. She later told Ellen, “To have my husband step up in that way, it makes me cry. He’s amazing … To be literally carried by your partner, physically at times because I was so devastated, it’s just like, ‘I’ll do anything for that man.’”
Years later, Nicole still spoke of Keith as her greatest blessing. In 2022, she said on CBS Mornings, “We’re a mix. We’re very suited [for each other]. I’m incredibly lucky to have met him.” She even called him “the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
The First Signs of Trouble
Despite years of presenting a united front, signs of trouble began to emerge. In July this year, Keith abruptly hung up during a radio interview after a crude question about Nicole’s intimate movie roles.
Nicole herself hinted at the realities of marriage while promoting her Netflix series The Perfect Couple. “There’s no perfect anything. Anything that’s presented as perfect… forget it.”
By May, the couple appeared together at the Academy of Country Music Awards. They smiled for cameras, but it turned out to be their final red carpet as husband and wife.
The Shock Split
In early October 2025, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban separated. The next day, Nicole officially filed for divorce.
Speculation quickly swirled that Keith may already be seeing a younger woman in the music industry, though nothing has been confirmed. For Nicole, insiders say the rumors have been painful.
The couple shares two daughters, Sunday Rose, now 17, and Faith Margaret, 14. Nicole was previously married to Tom Cruise for 11 years, with whom she shares two adopted children, Isabella and Connor.
Keith has been busy on his High and Alive World Tour, while Nicole has stayed in Nashville with the kids. For now, reconciliation appears unlikely.
A Hollywood Love Story Ends
For 19 years, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s marriage was one of Hollywood’s most admired love stories. They faced challenges, raised a family, and supported each other through incredible highs and heartbreaking lows.
But as Nicole herself once said, “There’s no perfect anything.”
Their split is a reminder that even the strongest relationships can come undone. For fans, it marks the end of an era, one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples now moving forward on separate paths.
