The sudden death of Antonia and Nicole Kidman’s mum Janelle Ann just caused the Babygirl actress to cut her Venice Film Festival trip short
Hollywood star Nicole Kidman is mourning the loss of her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, who died at the age of 84 on Saturday. Fans received the unfortunate news soon after the Australian actress did, as she had to leave the Venice Film Festival before she was able to accept her best actress award for her role in thriller Babygirl. Halina Reijn, the film’s director, conveyed Kidman’s message to fans as she accepted the award on her behalf.
Halina Reijn accepts the award for best actress for Nicole Kidman’s performance in the movie Babygirl during the closing ceremony of the Venice International Film Festival. Photo: EPA-EFE
“Today, I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after, that my beautiful, brave mother Janelle Ann Kidman has just passed. I am in shock and I have to go to my family. But this award is for her. She shaped me, she guided me and she made me. I’m beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina. The collision of life and art is heartbreaking, and my heart is broken,” Kidman’s statement read.
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The actress had previously revealed that her mother had been battling several health issues, which prompted her to move back to Australia in 2022. Her father, Antony Kidman, died in 2014.
Nicole Kidman and Antonia Kidman with their mother, Janelle Ann Kidman. Photo: @antoniakidman/Instagram
Back in Sydney, fellow family members were spotted visiting the late matriarch’s home in Greenwich. ThePerfect Couple actress’ younger sister Antonia Kidman stopped by, collecting flowers left at Janelle’s doorstep. Antonia’s daughter, presenter Lucia Hawley, and her boyfriend, Henry Poole, also visited.
While she may not be Hollywood royalty like her sister, Antonia Kidman has a celebrated career of her own. So, what do we know about her?
What does Antonia Kidman do for work?
Antonia Kidman switched to a law career in her 40s. Photo: @antoniakidman/Instagram
She’s a journalist, author and lawyer.
After getting her bachelor of arts in history from the University of New England, she began her career in journalism, researching for The Today Show in Sydney and eventually becoming a reporter and presenter at Australia’s Foxtel Group, according to her LinkedIn. She is a two-time winner of Australia’s Astra award for Favourite Female Personality. She has bylines in several magazines, and co-wrote two books: Feeding Fussy Kids (2009) and The Simple Things (2012).
