Nicole Kidman Announces Training to Become an End-of-Life Doula

Actress Nicole Kidman has revealed she is undertaking training to become an end-of-life doula, a role focused on providing non-medical support during the dying process. She made the announcement during a public talk at the University of San Francisco on April 11, 2026, citing her personal experience following her mother's death as the motivation for her new pursuit.

The Announcement

On Saturday, April 11, 2026, Nicole Kidman participated in a talk at the University of San Francisco's War Memorial Gym. The event was part of the university's Silk Speaker Series and was moderated by investigative journalist Vicky Nguyen.

During the discussion, Kidman stated she is undertaking training to become an end-of-life doula, also known as a death doula.

Motivation and Personal Context

Kidman said the idea originated after the death of her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, who died in September 2024 at the age of 84. She described observing a need for impartial support during her mother's final days.

"Between my sister and I, we have so many children and our careers and our work, and wanting to take care of her because my father wasn't in the world anymore," Kidman told attendees, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle. "And that's when I went, 'I wish there was these people in the world that were there to sit impartially and just provide solace and care.'"

Kidman's father, Dr. Antony Kidman, died in 2014. She learned of her mother's death while attending the Venice Film Festival in 2024 for her film Babygirl and departed the event early. The film's director later read a statement from Kidman during an award acceptance speech, in which she confirmed her mother's recent passing.

In March of both 2025 and 2026, Kidman posted social media tributes to her mother on what would have been her birthday.

The Role of an End-of-Life Doula

An end-of-life doula provides non-medical, holistic support to individuals and their families during the dying process. According to the International End-of-Life Doula Association, this support is psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, and practical in nature, with the goal of supporting a person's self-determination and dignity.

Kidman concluded her remarks by stating, "So that's part of my expansion and one of the things I will be learning."