Nicole Kidman recalls being alone in Venice the night she learned her mother had died

Nicole Kidman recounted learning of her mother Janelle's death in September 2024 moments before accepting the best actress award for 'Babygirl' at the Venice Film Festival, describing a harrowing night alone in her hotel where she was unable to leave for the airport. The article includes direct quotes from Kidman's remarks at the History Channel's HISTORYTalks 2026 event and adds context about her new plans to train as a death doula, motivated by her wish for additional end-of-life support for her mother. Reporting is sourced to The Hollywood Reporter and San Francisco Chronicle, with Kidman's own statements as the primary evidence; the piece is bylined by entertainment writer Lori Bashian. Independent coverage from Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and The New York Times corroborates the core facts—the timing of her mother's death, her Venice Film Festival win, and her death doula aspirations—establishing this as a widely reported celebrity interview topic rather than breaking news. The article provides personal anecdotes and emotional context but limited independent verification of broader claims; readers should note this is primarily celebrity interview coverage rather than investigative reporting.