Nicole Kidman Opens Up About The Heartbreaking Final Conversation She Had With Her Mother

“I didn’t know they were going to be her last words”

Jesse

• Published in News
• December 23, 2024

Losing a loved one has a way of reframing everything. Suddenly, every conversation becomes a memory, every piece of advice a keepsake. 

We’re left wondering if we did enough, said enough, or loved enough. And then there are those final words—the ones you don’t realize are final until it’s too late. 

Nicole Kidman recently shared such a moment with the world—a conversation that now holds immense significance after the passing of her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman. 

It’s a heartfelt reminder of how the simplest words can become the most powerful and how the pain of loss often carries lessons we never saw coming.

For Kidman, her mother’s last words weren’t grand or poetic, but they were deeply loving. They carried a message that has since changed her perspective on how she lives her life. 

As the actress reflected on this conversation, she revealed how it has shaped her, not only as a woman but as a mother.

In an emotional interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Kidman revealed what her mother’s exact words of wisdom were before she joined the stars and became a treasured memory. 

The 84-year-old matriarch’s final words were simple but profound. “Maybe wait a minute because I think you just need to take care of yourself right now, Nicky,” she told Kidman, who was preparing to hop on the next plane to see her.

Nicole Kidman and her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, share a beautiful moment on the red carpet.

These words hit Kidman in ways she didn’t expect. Now, they’ve become a guiding principle for the Oscar-winning actress, inspiring her to prioritize her well-being—not just for herself but for her four children.

Janelle Kidman’s passing marked a heartbreaking chapter for Nicole, who had to leave the Venice Film Festival early upon hearing the news. In a moving statement, she credited her mother as the foundation of her strength. 

“She shaped me, she guided me, and she made me,” Kidman shared. Her words echoed the universal grief of losing someone who has always been your anchor.

For Kidman, her mother’s advice really hits home, considering her dual roles as a Hollywood icon and a mother. The actress, who has two adult children with ex-husband Tom Cruise and two teenage daughters with husband Keith Urban, acknowledges the challenges of balancing everything while still making time for herself.

Nicole Kidman shines with timeless grace at the Venice Film Festival

“Taking care of myself means I can take care of them,” Kidman said, reflecting on her late mother’s words before she passed away on September 7. It’s a message that transcends her personal experience, offering a reminder to women everywhere: self-care isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.

Nicole Kidman stuns in a dazzling gown at The Perfect Couple premiere

As Kidman navigates life without her mother, she carries Janelle’s wisdom forward. Her emotional appearances in the weeks following the loss showed a woman who was grieving but determined to honour her mother’s legacy. In her words: “I wish my mama was here.”

While Kidman’s grief is personal, the story is universal: we all grapple with loss, wonder if we’ve done enough, and search for meaning in the moments we shared.

Her mother’s parting advice is a timeless reminder to care for ourselves—not just for our own sake, but for the people we love.

Jesse