Nicole Kidman’s dating history has been closely followed alongside her acclaimed acting career, with several high-profile relationships marking different chapters of her life. From her early romance with Tom Burlinson in Australia to her long-lasting marriage with country star Keith Urban, Kidman’s personal life has drawn significant attention over the years.
Early Relationship with Tom Burlinson
Kidman’s first significant romance began on the set of the 1986 romantic comedy Windrider, where she met Australian actor Tom Burlinson. The two dated for three years during the early stages of Kidman’s career before deciding to part ways.
Nicole Kidman and I made a movie, Windrider, in 1986 and dated for three years. I was 11 years older and it was her first relationship with a man as an adult,
Burlinson reflected in a 2020 interview with the Sydney Morning Herald.
We had happy times, but she had her own path to take in life. One thing that has been written about us, which is incorrect, is that I asked her to marry me and she said no.
Brief Romance with Marcus Graham
After ending her relationship with Burlinson, Kidman briefly dated Australian actor Marcus Graham in the late 1980s before moving into her more publicized relationship with Tom Cruise. The romance with Graham ended as Kidman’s career rapidly moved toward Hollywood success.
I don’t have anything bad to say about Nicole,
Graham told Woman’s Day in a 2023 interview.
We were both in our early 20s and young and ambitious. A brilliant, gorgeous, talented actress meets big Hollywood movie star and he says, ‘Come with me.’ I think you say, ‘Go, are you mad?’ It must have been wonderful for her.
Graham admitted the breakup was painful but free of resentment.
That’s the way it goes, isn’t it? Why would I want to keep her in Australia and lock her away?!
he said.
I don’t have any bad feelings there and I understand. At the time I cried for a long time. I was really hurt and confused, but I had lots to learn about the world.
Marriage and Life with Tom Cruise
Kidman’s high-profile relationship with Tom Cruise began after they met on the set of the 1990 film Days of Thunder. Their connection developed quickly, leading to a wedding on New Year’s Eve 1990. The couple adopted two children together: Isabella in 1992 and Connor in 1995. Their marriage lasted 11 years before ending in 2001.
I was willing to give up everything,
Kidman revealed in a 2002 Vanity Fair interview following Cruise’s divorce filing.
I now see that as part of me. I’m willing to do that — I do it when I do a movie too. I’m willing to go, ‘Yeah, bring it on, consume me, intoxicate me.’ I want to feel alive — I want to reel, basically. I was reeling with Tom and I loved it and I would have walked to the end of the earth. That meant giving up a lot of things that were very important to me.
Relationship with Lenny Kravitz
After her separation from Cruise, Kidman was linked to musician Lenny Kravitz beginning in 2003. Their relationship was relatively brief but included a private engagement before they amicably split in 2004.
I knew Zoë [Kravitz] because I was engaged to her father,
Kidman shared during the Big Little Lies press tour in 2017.
It’s all in the family! I love Lenny; he’s a great guy.
Kravitz later reflected on their past relationship with warmth, especially in relation to Kidman’s co-star Zoë Kravitz.
It was beautiful that they got to know each other as adults and make this great show together. Some things just don’t work … the wonderful thing is we’re all friends,
he told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live in 2018.
Long-Term Partnership with Keith Urban
Kidman met Keith Urban, the country music singer, in 2005 at the G’Day USA Gala. Although Urban waited several months before reaching out, the two married in 2006 and had two daughters, Sunday Rose in 2008 and Faith Margaret in 2011. Their marriage spanned nearly two decades before a source confirmed their separation in September 2025.
I met him later in life and it’s been the best thing that’s ever happened to me,
Kidman said in a January 2022 interview on CBS Mornings.
That man is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. We’re a mix. We’re very suited [for each other]. I’m incredibly lucky to have met him.
Kidman’s Approach to Relationships Over Time
Throughout her career and personal life, Kidman has spoken about her changing perspectives on love and vulnerability. Despite facing challenges and heartbreak, she maintains a hopeful and open approach to relationships.
I was young. I think I offered it up? Maybe I’ve gotten a bit more trepidatious, but I’m always trying to be as open as possible,
she explained in a 2021 interview with Harper’s Bazaar.
I just prefer to live in the world that way. I’m wary at times, and I’ve been hurt, but at the same time, I much prefer a warm approach rather than a prickly shutdown approach.
The Significance of Nicole Kidman’s Romantic Journey
Nicole Kidman’s dating history reflects a complex journey of love and personal growth, intersecting with her rising fame and evolving career. Each relationship—from her early experiences in Australia to her marriages with Cruise and Urban—has influenced her outlook on intimacy and resilience. Following her nearly two-decade marriage with Keith Urban, Kidman’s recent separation marks a significant new chapter.
Her openness about vulnerability and the balance between self-protection and warmth offers insight into how a public figure navigates personal hardships under the spotlight. Moving forward, Kidman’s dating history will likely continue to be an area of both public curiosity and personal evolution as she shapes her next steps in life and love.
