Real-Life Celebrity Breakup: Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise

Before Nicole Kidman found Keith Urban and Tom Cruise jumped on Oprah’s couch, these two megastars were married for over a decade. After meeting in the late 1980s, Cruise and Kidman fell head-over-heels in love for one another and became one of Hollywood’s power couples.

Though they ultimately didn’t work out, the pair did star in a few films together and started a family. From how the couple first met to their sad split, find out more about this once great celebrity romance.

How Did Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise Meet?

Cruise and Kidman met back in 1989 on the set of the film Days of Thunder. He played a race car driver and she played his love interest. They fell in love instantly and were inseparable almost right away. In fact, Kidman revealed that she knew she wanted to be with Cruise during her audition for the part because he was the only one who stood up to shake her hand.

The Engagement
Cruise decided to propose less than a year after they first met, and after his marriage to his first wife, Mimi Rogers, ended. He proposed with a stunning princess-cut diamond that also had stones on either side.

The Wedding
The couple officially tied the knot on December 24, 1990, in Telluride, Colorado. Not much is known about the ceremony, but Kidman was just 23 years old, while Cruise was 28 years old.

Starting A Family

Kidman and Cruise wanted to start a family right after they got married, but Kidman, unfortunately, lost a baby early on. They then decided to adopt two children – daughter Bella in 1992 and son Connor in 1994.

Parting Ways
Kidman and Cruise suddenly split in 2001, but the actress did not see the divorce coming. In fact, it was Cruise who abruptly filed the papers and requested joint custody of their children. While some people believe it was Scientology that tore them apart, Kidman has spoken about being so young when they got together. They officially separated in February 2001 and the divorce was finalized by August 2001.