Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman have a fairytale romance, but it took key timing for the two Australians to actually cross paths so that their love story could begin.
From the outside looking in, it seemed as if Kidman was at the top of the world at her peak of Hollywood stardom. After appearing in hit films including "Moulin Rouge," she skyrocketed in popularity. Though she had recently split from actor Tom Cruise, she was booking incredible roles right and left — one of those being her Oscar-winning performance in "The Hours," in which she played Virginia Woolf. But Kidman realized that she had been so focused on burying herself in her career that her personal life was suffering. Her breakup even caused a strain on her relationship with her and Cruise's children, Isabella and Connor.
She told ET that following her Oscar win, "I was sitting in the Beverly Hills Hotel [holding this gold statue], and it was all extraordinary, and I was the loneliest I'd ever been."
But Kidman's loneliness wouldn't last for too much longer. After a chance encounter at an event in 2005, the "Practical Magic" star and the "Somebody Like You" singer would have a whirlwind romance that would change her and Urban's lives forever.
"Meeting her and getting married wasn't life-changing, it was life-beginning," Urban told CBS News. "It was literally like, 'Okay, now life starts.'"
In 2015, Kidman shared that she wished she could have met the singer earlier.
"I wish I could have met him much earlier and had way more children with him," she told ET. "But I didn't. I mean, if I could have had two more children with him, that would have been just glorious. But as Keith says, 'The wanting mind, Nicole. Shut it down.'"
From meeting at an LA event to becoming staples of the red carpet at Hollywood and country music events, here's a timeline of Kidman and Urban's sweet love story.
January 2005: The Couple Meet at G'Day USA Gala
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The pair met at the G'Day USA gala in January 2005, which is an event in Los Angeles honoring notable Australians. Apparently, Urban was trying to play it cool — really cool. Kidman later shared that though the two exchanged numbers, the country star didn't call her for months.
"I remember thinking I had such a crush on him and he wasn't interested in me," Kidman shared on "The Ellen Degeneres Show." "He didn't call me for four months."
May 2006: Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman Get Engaged
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By the summer of 2005, the celebrity couple had started their courtship, which involved time together in Nashville, motorcycle rides in Woodstock, New York, and even time together on Urban's Keith's Alive in '05 tour.
In May 2006, the couple confirmed their engagement. Kidman hosted the 30th Anniversary Gala for UNIFEM, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, and brought Urban as her date.
"He's actually my fiancé," Kidman confirmed to People that night. "I wouldn't be bringing my boyfriend."
June 25, 2006: The Couple Get Married in Sydney
Newlyweds Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban on the day following their wedding ceremony at the Park Hyatt hotel on June 26, 2007, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by PhotoNews International Inc./Getty Images)
The couple got married in a romantic ceremony at St. Patrick's Estate in Sydney. A wedding guest told People how intensely people could feel their love at their wedding, which took place in Sydney in 2006.
"When her veil was lifted, he moved right in and he grabbed her and kissed her. It was a long, passionate kiss. (Then) everything went from being quiet and elegant and intense to really loud, like we were suddenly at a soccer game. There was screaming and hollering and such excitement. But when Nicole and Keith looked at each other it was like they were the only two people in the room. They are so deeply in love. It was the most incredible wedding."
October 2006: Kidman Stages an Intervention for Urban
Shortly after the couple's wedding, Kidman staged an intervention for Urban, who struggles with alcoholism. Urban, who first went to rehab in 1998, had been sober for eight years. In 2014, he revealed to Rolling Stone that he began drinking again when Kidman was away filming a movie in Kosovo.
"I would find myself feeling very alone, very lost, and vulnerable to my old ways," Urban told Rolling Stone (quote via ABC News).
Urban entered rehab at the Betty Ford Center in October 2006.
"I was very, very blessed to have Nic call an intervention on me," Urban told Rolling Stone. "I had a tight group of friends around me for the intervention. And off I went,"
Urban was released from rehab in January 2007.
November 2007: The Couple Move to Nashville
Mike Marsland/WireImage
In November 2007, the couple purchased a home in Nashville, Tenn. They also own property in Sydney, New York, Los Angeles and Bunya Hill in Australia.
Kidman frequently joins her husband on the red carpet for country music events, such as the CMA Awards.
July 7, 2008: The Couple Welcome Their First Baby Together, Sunday Rose
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
On July 7, 2008, the couple welcomed daughter Sunday Rose.
"We feel immensely blessed and grateful to be given this beautiful baby girl," the couple shared in a press statement. "She's an absolute delight."
Dec. 28, 2010: The Couple Welcome Baby Girl Faith Margaret
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The couple added another baby girl to their family in 2010. Faith Margaret was born on Dec. 28, 2010, via surrogate.
"Our family is truly blessed, and just so thankful, to have been given the gift of baby Faith Margaret," the couple shared in a statement. "No words can adequately convey the incredible gratitude that we feel for everyone who was so supportive throughout this process, in particular our gestational carrier."
Feb. 28, 2021: The Couple's Daughters Join Them for 2021 Golden Globes
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In 2021, Kidman was nominated for Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture for TV for her role in the HBO series "The Undoing." Urban was, of course, by her side for their virtual appearance during the program, along with their two daughters, who made a rare appearance on camera.
March 2022: The Couple Walk the Red Carpet at 2022 Academy Awards
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Urban attended the 2022 Academy Awards with Kidman, who was nominated for Best Actress for "Being the Ricardos." The singer performed in Las Vegas the night before and flew in just hours later to support Kidman.
"I'm just so happy to be here. I'm so happy to be here with my husband who was playing Vegas last night and flew in and landed at 1:00 a.m.," Kidman told "E!'s Live from the Red Carpet" (quote via People). "Whatever it takes."
Urban said he is "incredibly proud" of his wife, calling "Being the Ricardos" "extraordinary."
March 2023: The Couple Turn Heads at 2023 Academy Awards
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
The couple looked stunning and adorably in love as they walked the red carpet at the 2023 Academy Awards. Kidman, ever the fashion icon, rocked a gorgeous Armani Prive gown.
May 1, 2023: The Couple Attend the Met Gala
Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images
The red carpet favorites once again stole the show at the 2023 Met Gala, where Kidman re-wore a Chanel dress she donned 20 years ago.
May 11, 2023: The Couple Attend the ACM Awards
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The couple once again turned an industry event into a sweet date night, at the 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards.
December 2023: Urban Supports Kidman at 'Expats' Screening
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Urban was on Kidman's arm for a screening of the actor's series "Expats" in Sydney.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in 2019. It was updated on March 6, 2024.
