Nicole Kidman is reportedly spending more on monthly rent than the average American earns in an entire year, and her husband Keith Urban is conspicuously absent from the lavish London arrangement that’s got tongues wagging across Hollywood.
Home For Now
The Academy Award-winning actress has been residing in a stunning Hampstead mansion once owned by Culture Club’s Boy George, shelling out $88,000 monthly for the privilege — a sum that exceeds the national average salary of $63,795 by nearly $25,000.
According to Daily Mail, the Gothic-style estate, complete with five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a private cinema, roof terrace, and meditation room, serves as Kidman’s home base while filming the highly anticipated “Practical Magic” sequel alongside Sandra Bullock.
Since she had been using the home while filming, it is unclear if the movie studio is footing her rental bill.
What’s raising eyebrows isn’t just the astronomical price tag — it’s that her country music superstar husband of 19 years hasn’t been spotted at the property.
The couple, who have historically maintained a strict two-week separation limit throughout their marriage, appear to have abandoned that rule entirely.
“They do make an effort to speak every day when they’re apart, but it’s shocking how much time they’ve spent apart since Nicole’s mother died last September,” an insider revealed to Woman’s Day. The source noted that their extended separation has become a topic of conversation within their social circle.
Urban’s absence isn’t entirely mysterious — he’s currently crisscrossing North America on his High and Alive tour, which runs through mid-October.
However, the timing coincides with what sources describe as a fundamental shift in the couple’s approach to maintaining their relationship across continents. The insider added that the arrangement suggests “they both went their separate ways” and expressed concern about how long the situation can continue.
The Hampstead property itself carries a complex history.
Built in 1868 for engineer Edward Gotto, the mansion gained notoriety in 1986 when Michael Rudetsky was found deceased there during Boy George’s residency, having suffered a heroin overdose, according to The Los Angeles Times.
The tragedy deeply affected the singer, who was battling his own substance abuse issues at the time. Despite this dark chapter, Boy George continued living there until 2022, when he listed the renovated estate for over $30 million following an ambitious three-year restoration project.
The property’s appeal for Hollywood elite is undeniable. Located near Hampstead Heath, it offers both privacy and proximity to one of London’s most beloved green spaces.
“If you put aside what must’ve gone on in that house over the years, it is stunning, in a beautiful location, and it has lots of space,” another source explained. “It’s made for a Hollywood star. It’s close to Hampstead Heath, which is a draw for stars used to living in America.”
Today reports that Kidman and Urban’s love story began in 2005 when they met at the G’Day USA Gala in Los Angeles. Urban initially hesitated to call Kidman for four months, believing she was “way out of his league.” When he finally reached out, their connection proved immediate and lasting. They married in Sydney in June 2006 and share two daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret.
Their relationship has weathered significant challenges, including Urban’s struggle with addiction. Just four months after their wedding, Kidman staged an intervention that led to Urban’s successful rehabilitation at the Betty Ford Clinic. Urban has credited his wife’s unwavering support as instrumental in his recovery and continued sobriety.
Although “Practical Magic 2” has officially wrapped, tabloid “sources” suggest Kidman is “getting comfortable” with her London lifestyle and will stay until her husband’s tour wraps. But as with many in entertainment, Kidman may be rooted today, but free to move tomorrow.
