Nicole Kidman Announces She Will Train as a Death Doula After the ‘Lonely Death’ of Her Mom
Nicole Kidman is stepping into a role nobody expected. The Oscar-winning actress, 58, recently shared plans to train as a death doula after the painful loss of her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman. The announcement surprised fans, but the reason behind it hit hard.
During a talk at the University of San Francisco’s Silk Speaker Series in April 2026, the “Babygirl” star opened up about her mother’s final days. The actress described the experience as deeply emotional and admitted it changed the way she sees care, grief, and human connection.
Kidman explained that the idea “may sound a little weird,” but the decision comes from a very personal place. The “Moulin Rouge” icon said her mother felt lonely while dying, even with family nearby. That feeling stayed with her long after the funeral.
“As my mother was passing, she was lonely, and there was only so much the family could provide,” Kidman told the audience. The actress spoke honestly about the pressure families carry during end-of-life care. Between careers, children, and emotional exhaustion, constant support becomes difficult.
The Painful Moment That Changed Nicole Kidman
Kidman / IG / Kidman lost her mother in September 2024. The heartbreaking news arrived while the actress was attending the Venice Film Festival.
The “Big Little Lies” star had just arrived in Italy for the premiere of “Babygirl” when she learned her mother had died at age 84. Director Halina Reijn later accepted Kidman’s Best Actress award on her behalf after the actress rushed home to Australia.
In a statement shared at the festival, Kidman honored the woman who shaped her life and career. “She shaped me and made me,” the actress wrote. The tribute quickly spread online and struck a chord with fans around the world.
Kidman has often spoken about her close relationship with her mother. Janelle was a strong supporter of women’s education and independence. The actress previously credited her mother for encouraging ambition and refusing to let her daughters settle for less.
“She gave me my life,” Kidman once said during an earlier interview. That connection explains why the loss left such a deep mark. The “Practical Magic” actress has described the grief as overwhelming and “harrowing.” Even now, the emotional impact still appears fresh.
The actress also admitted there were moments when she wished someone outside the family had been there to sit quietly with her mother. Not to fix anything. Not to replace loved ones. Just to offer calm, care, and presence.
“That’s when I went, ‘I wish there were these people in the world that were there to sit impartially and just provide solace and care,’” Kidman explained.
What Exactly Does a Death Doula Do?
Kidman / IG / A death doula is not a doctor or nurse. The role focuses on emotional, spiritual, and practical support for people nearing the end of life.
The work can include sitting with dying patients, helping families understand the process, creating peaceful environments, or simply listening. Some doulas assist with legacy projects like letters, recordings, or memory books. Others guide loved ones through funeral planning and emotional stress.
According to the International End-of-Life Doula Association, the role centers on dignity, comfort, and compassion. Death doulas fill a gap that hospitals and families sometimes cannot fully cover.
That gap became painfully clear for Kidman during her mother’s final days. The actress explained that she and her sister tried to balance caregiving with parenting and demanding careers. Their father had already passed away, which added another emotional layer to the situation.
“Between my sister and I, we have so many children and our careers and our work,” Kidman said. “Wanting to take care of her because my father wasn’t in the world anymore.”
However, Kidman made it clear that acting is not disappearing from her life. The award-winning actress still has a packed schedule with major projects ahead. The “Eyes Wide Shut” star is attached to the crime series “Scarpetta,” the dramedy “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” and the long-awaited sequel “Practical Magic 2.”