"I'm in shock"

Nicole Kidman mourns the loss of her beloved mother

(Bild: KEVORK DJANSEZIAN / AP )

Nicole Kidman was awarded Best Actress at the Vendig Film Festival on Saturday for her role in the film "Babygirl". But the Australian was missing - for a sad reason: her mother Janelle Ann Kidman has died.

As director Halina Reijn announced during the gala on Saturday evening, Kidman left early because her mother had died at the age of 84.

"I am in shock"
Reijn read out a message on her behalf: "Today I arrived in Venice to learn shortly after that my beautiful, brave mother Janelle Ann has passed away."

She continued: "I am in shock and need to be with my family, but this award is for her. She molded me, she guided me and she made me. I am eternally grateful to be able to pass her name on to all of you through Halina." Her heart is broken, Kidman shared.

Janelle Ann Kidman had been in poor health for some time. The exact cause of death is not yet known.

Mom Janelle always by Kidman's side
For Kidman, her mother was always one of the most important people in her life. Even when it came to fashion, the Hollywood icon always sought advice from her mother, as she revealed to People magazine last year. "My mother is still very involved in what I wear." 

Her mother has also encouraged her throughout her life and helped her to achieve her goals. "She gave me the fire to push my career forward because I always wanted to please her," Kidman had explained in another interview. "But she also went her own way and wanted her daughters to have the opportunity to go their own way as well."