Nicole Kidman Files for Divorce from Keith Urban After 19 Years; Couple Were Often Viewed As One Of Most Stable In Industry

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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, pictured together at a public event prior to their separation. The actress has filed for divorce in Nashville, citing irreconcilable differences after 19 years of marriage.
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, pictured together at a public event prior to their separation. The actress has filed for divorce in Nashville, citing irreconcilable differences after 19 years of marriage. File photo: lev radin, licensed.

NASHVILLE, TN – One of Hollywood’s longest-running celebrity marriages is coming to an end. Actress Nicole Kidman has filed for divorce from country music star Keith Urban after nearly 20 years together, citing irreconcilable differences.

The filing, submitted September 30 in Davidson County Circuit Court, brings to a close a relationship that was often viewed as one of the most stable in the entertainment industry. Kidman and Urban married in Sydney in 2006, raised two daughters together, and frequently appeared side by side at award shows, premieres, and industry events.

While the couple had cultivated an image of loyalty and resilience through career highs and personal challenges, court documents confirm they had reached a breaking point. The case will now proceed through Tennessee’s mandatory divorce process, which includes a waiting period and judicial review of their agreements.

Kidman, 58, is seeking a dissolution that emphasizes stability for their children while dividing assets amicably. Urban, 57, has agreed to the terms laid out in a marital dissolution agreement filed alongside the divorce petition. Neither is requesting spousal support, signaling an intention to resolve matters without prolonged litigation.

The announcement has drawn significant attention not only because of the couple’s celebrity status, but also because their separation follows a wave of speculation earlier this year about time spent living apart and mounting personal difficulties. Their last public appearance together was in June, during the summer anniversary of their wedding.

Key Terms of the Divorce Filing

  • Filed September 30, 2025, in Nashville’s Davidson County Circuit Court.
  • Petition cites “marital difficulties and irreconcilable differences.”
  • Includes a marital dissolution agreement and parenting plan.
  • Kidman designated as primary residential parent.
  • Parenting schedule: 306 days annually with Kidman, 59 with Urban.
  • Both must attend a parent education seminar within 60 days.
  • No spousal or child support sought by either party.
  • Assets to be divided equally; creative rights remain individual.

Family and Background

Kidman and Urban began dating in 2005 and were married the following year in Sydney. Together, they share two daughters: Sunday Rose, now 17, and Faith Margaret, 14, who was born via surrogacy. The family has largely split its time between Nashville, Los Angeles, and Australia.

Both spouses are internationally recognized in their fields – Kidman as an Academy Award-winning actress and Urban as a Grammy-winning musician – and have often spoken publicly about balancing global careers with family life.

Signs of Strain Before the Divorce

Although they celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary in June with public tributes, reports suggest the relationship had been under pressure for some time. Urban had been spending significant time on the road during his tours, while Kidman managed family responsibilities at home.

Sources familiar with the couple describe a gradual drift, characterized by long periods apart and increasing differences over priorities. In recent months, some close to Urban pointed to personal struggles and questionable choices that strained the marriage further.

Wider Context and Public Reaction

The announcement adds to a series of high-profile celebrity separations in 2025, drawing renewed attention to the challenges of maintaining long marriages under the scrutiny of fame. For Kidman, it marks the second major public divorce of her life, following her split from Tom Cruise in 2001. For Urban, this is his first divorce.

While the court filing itself is straightforward, the case underscores broader themes of family stability, celebrity privacy, and the pressures of public life. Kidman and Urban’s agreement to avoid spousal support and to share custody details upfront suggests both intend to minimize public disputes.

What Happens Next

Tennessee requires at least a 90-day waiting period before the divorce can be finalized. During this time, a judge will review the dissolution agreement and parenting plan to ensure compliance with state law and the best interests of the children.

Observers will be watching for any further legal filings or changes to the amicable tone of the initial documents. For now, both Kidman and Urban appear focused on their children and continuing their careers while transitioning out of their marriage.

Relationship Timeline: Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban

YearMilestone
2005Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban meet at a Los Angeles event and begin dating.
June 2006The couple marries in a ceremony at Cardinal Cerretti Memorial Chapel in Sydney, Australia.
2008Birth of their first daughter, Sunday Rose, in Nashville.
2010Second daughter, Faith Margaret, is born via surrogate.
2012–2015Frequent red-carpet appearances together; Kidman often joins Urban at country music award shows.
2016Couple celebrates their 10th wedding anniversary, marking a rare milestone among celebrity marriages.
2018–2020Kidman films Big Little Lies and other projects while Urban continues worldwide tours; they maintain residences in Nashville, Los Angeles, and Sydney.
2021Publicly support each other at the Academy Awards and CMA Awards, appearing together on major stages.
2023–2024Reports surface of long stretches spent apart due to Kidman’s filming schedule and Urban’s touring commitments.
June 2025Celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary with social media tributes, their final public appearance together.
September 30, 2025Kidman files for divorce in Nashville after 19 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
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