After nearly two decades as one of Hollywood’s most celebrated couples, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are officially ending their marriage. The Oscar-winning actress filed for divorce from the country music superstar in Nashville on September 30, 2025, citing "irreconcilable differences" and "marital difficulties," according to court documents obtained by multiple outlets including ABC News and Fox News Digital. The move comes after a summer filled with rumors, speculation, and mounting evidence that the couple’s relationship was unraveling behind the scenes.
The split, while shocking to many fans, was foreshadowed by a series of subtle—and not-so-subtle—clues. According to TMZ and The Los Angeles Times, Urban had quietly moved out of the family’s Nashville home earlier in the summer, taking up residence elsewhere in the city. Meanwhile, Kidman was reportedly applying for residency in Portugal, fueling speculation that the pair were preparing for separate futures. Sources told People and TMZ that the couple had been "living separately for a while now," with Kidman caring for their daughters, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14, as Urban hit the road for his "High and Alive World Tour."
Despite the growing distance, Kidman was said to be fighting to save the marriage. A source close to the actress told E! News, “Nicole did not want to part ways with Keith and has been trying to save the marriage since they opted to live apart in the beginning of the summer.” Further corroborating this, Page Six cited a source who said, “Sometimes relationships just run their course,” but added that Kidman “was trying to save things.” Yet, as the months passed, it became clear that Urban was the one pushing for separation. As one insider told People, “She wanted to save their marriage and believed that she could, but it seems he’s already moved on. It’s devastating to her. She’s shocked.”
The emotional toll on Kidman has been significant. Friends and family have rallied around her, with longtime confidante Naomi Watts offering both comfort and advice. According to the Daily Mail, “Nic has been calling Naomi a ton to talk out how she needs to cope with the situation.” Watts, who has weathered her own public splits, advised Kidman to “be as honest as can be with the public and just get it out there and over with so fans can process and move on.” Kidman’s younger sister, Antonia, has also been described as “a rock,” and sources repeatedly emphasized that “the entire Kidman family has come together to support one another.”
While Kidman sought solace, Urban’s actions drew scrutiny. On September 26, 2025, just days before news of the divorce broke, Urban surprised fans by altering the lyrics of his hit song "The Fighter," a track he once described as a "vow" to Kidman. During a live performance, he swapped out the original line—"When they’re tryna get to you, baby, I’ll be the fighter"—for "When they’re tryna get to you, Maggie, I’ll be your guitar player," referencing his touring guitarist Maggie Baugh. The moment, captured and posted to Instagram by Baugh herself, quickly went viral and fueled further speculation about the state of Urban and Kidman’s relationship. Reactions online were mixed, with one fan commenting, “Nicole deserves better,” while another defended Urban, saying, “Nobody knows what happened between Keith and Nicole… Leave it alone.”
Urban and Baugh have spent much of the summer on the road together as part of his ongoing world tour, which continues into mid-October and stretches into 2026 with international dates. The lyric change was not the first time Urban had personalized the song for a duet partner, but given the timing and the context, many saw it as a symbolic gesture marking the end of an era. Back in 2017, Urban told Billboard that "The Fighter" was inspired by a conversation with Kidman early in their relationship: “That when things get tough, I need to hold her tighter and just try to take care of her. That’s really the chorus of ‘The Fighter.’”
The divorce documents reveal a carefully considered parenting plan. Kidman requested to be named the primary residential parent of their daughters, with the court approving a schedule granting her 306 days a year and Urban 59 days. Both parents have agreed not to seek child support from one another, signaling a desire to keep the proceedings as amicable as possible for the sake of their children. Kidman also shares two adult children, Bella and Connor, with her former husband, Tom Cruise.
The couple’s relationship, which began in 2005 after meeting at the G’Day USA Gala in Los Angeles, was often held up as a model of mutual support and devotion. They married in a lavish ceremony in Sydney in 2006 and regularly appeared at each other’s premieres and concerts. Just last year, Urban paid tribute to Kidman at the "49th AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Nicole Kidman," recalling how she stood by him during his struggles with addiction. “If you want to see what love in action really looks like, give that a whirl,” Urban said at the event. “Nic pushed through every negative voice -- I’m sure even some of her own -- and she chose love. And here we are tonight, 18 years later.”
In June 2025, the couple celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary, with Kidman posting a black-and-white photo on Instagram captioned, “Happy Anniversary Baby ❤️.” However, by late summer, Urban was notably absent from Kidman’s social media posts, and the distance between them had become increasingly apparent.
Neither Kidman nor Urban has made a public statement addressing the split directly. Their representatives have not responded to requests for comment from ABC News, The Los Angeles Times, and other outlets. Meanwhile, fans and observers continue to process the end of a partnership that, for many, epitomized Hollywood romance and resilience in the face of adversity.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: both Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are surrounded by strong support systems as they navigate this new chapter. Whether in Nashville, Lisbon, or on the world stage, their lives will undoubtedly remain in the public eye, but the private journey of healing and moving forward belongs to them and their family.
