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Keith Urban In a suit and Nicole Kidman in a sparkly nude pink dress© WWD

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's 'very poor' upbringings will leave you lost for words

The Big Little Lies actress shares two children with her country music husband

Hannah Hargrave
US Deputy Editor
Updated: April 26, 2024
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Nicole Kidman has an astounding net worth of $250 million while her husband, Keith Urban, has also amassed a fortune of his own through his country music career. 

However, the couple didn't come from money, far from it. 

In a heartbreaking and candidly honest interview the Nine Perfect Strangers actress, 56, opened up about being grateful for everything she has because she had so little growing up.

Nicole's parents 'came from nothing'

"I've always been aware of privilege because both my parents came from nothing," Australian-born Nicole told Glamour UK in 2021. "When we moved to America, we had nothing. 

"My parents had to go to the Salvation Army and get a donated mattress, which we all slept on, while my mum helped put my dad through his PhD as he came from a very poor family.

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman attend the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 08, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.© Getty Images
Nicole and Keith didn't have it easy growing up

"When he became a psychologist, he would offer his behavioural therapy for nothing if they didn't have any money, because he just wanted to help.

MORE: Nicole Kidman makes candid confession about raising daughters Sunday and Faith

"I grew up with one of the gentlest, kindest fathers who was a giver and my mother was a nurse, so my family had that social conscience."

Nicole Kidman promoting her movie BMX Bandit in 1983© Getty Images
Nicole in the early days of her career

Keith's home burned down 

Nicole - who lost her beloved father, Antony, in 2014 - also shared details of her husband, Keith Urban's tough childhood, and said: "I also married a man who's totally self-made and came from a background where he said every brick in his house is a gig. 

"He grew up on a farm, literally in a shed. They didn't have bedrooms. Four of them lived in a shed that subsequently burned down. 

keith urban on stage with guitar© Getty Images
Keith carved out a career in country music

"They have talked of a community that came and helped their family because they had nothing."

Nicole's mother's cancer battle

Nicole is convinced her nurturing nature is down to caring for her mum, who had breast cancer when Nicole was a teen.

nicole kidman mom janelle
Nicole with her mom Janelle

"I'm an eldest child, my mother had breast cancer when I was 17, and I had to take care of her. That's a place in which I feel confident and I feel good when I'm able to do it.”

She subsequently adores being a mum and shares two daughters with Keith, 56 - Sunday and Faith.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban© Don Arnold
Nicole and Keith are raising teenage daughters

"For a parent to say to a child, 'You're loved. You're just loved,' is the most important thing and, 'you can believe, you can do, you can be who you are, and I will love you'," she added. 

Talking recently of raising teens, she told Elle USA. "I love teenage girls,.  just find them exquisiteI marvel at that age group and what they're dealing with, but also their ability to handle so much."

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