Nicole Kidman reveals she is training as a death doula following her mother’s death, exploring a new personal chapter.
Nicole Kidman has revealed she is entering a new chapter beyond the traditional spotlight of the film industry. During a talk at the University of San Francisco, the actress explained that she is training as a death doula — a role focused on providing emotional and spiritual support to people at the end of their lives — as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
This type of role, increasingly present in certain contexts, does not involve medical care but instead offers psychological, practical and human support to those going through the process of dying, as well as to their families. Kidman herself acknowledged that the idea may seem “unusual”, but emphasised that it stems from a deeply personal experience.
The actress shared that the decision is directly linked to the death of her mother in 2024. During that time, she felt that, despite the support of her family, there was a need for a more neutral and constant form of companionship. “I wished there were people who could be there, impartially, offering comfort and care,” she said during the conversation.
This shift does not signal a departure from her acting career, but rather an expansion of her personal outlook. Kidman remains active in the industry, with recent projects and upcoming releases, yet this new path introduces a more intimate dimension to her life and career.
She is not the only figure in cinema drawn to this field. Director Chloé Zhao has also explored similar training, motivated by her own reflections on mortality and a desire to understand it from a less fearful perspective.
Kidman’s decision opens up a conversation that is rarely addressed within Hollywood, moving away from the industry’s usual narrative to focus instead on themes such as vulnerability, grief and emotional support.
