10 Shocking Details About Nicole Kidman And Tom Cruise's Marriage And The Scientology Rift That Still Affects Their Kids Today

The legendary 11-year marriage between Hollywood titans Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise remains one of the most scrutinized celebrity relationships of all time, even decades after their 2001 split. As of December 18, 2025, the fascination endures not just because of their A-list status, but due to the enduring mystery surrounding their divorce and the complex, often distant, relationship Kidman maintains with her two adopted children from that union, Isabella 'Bella' and Connor Cruise. This deep-dive explores the full timeline, the alleged reasons for the breakup, and the current dynamic with their kids, a narrative heavily influenced by one powerful, controversial factor: the Church of Scientology. The couple, who met on the set of the 1990 film *Days of Thunder*, quickly became Tinseltown's most powerful duo. Their divorce announcement in February 2001 sent shockwaves globally. While the official reason cited was "irreconcilable differences" and "marital difficulties", the persistent, underlying narrative involves the influence of Scientology, which Tom Cruise is a prominent member of, and the subsequent impact on their family life.

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise: A Dual Biography Profile

The power couple of the 1990s brought together two distinctive career paths and personal histories. Here is a brief, detailed look at the two stars.

Nicole Kidman: The Australian-American Icon

• Full Name: Nicole Mary Kidman
• Born: June 20, 1967, in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (Raised in Sydney, Australia)
• Spouses: Tom Cruise (m. 1990–2001), Keith Urban (m. 2006–present)
• Children: Isabella Jane Cruise (adopted), Connor Anthony Cruise (adopted), Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, Faith Margaret Kidman Urban (via surrogate)
• Key Career Highlights: Breakthrough in *Dead Calm* (1989), Oscar win for Best Actress in *The Hours* (2002), Golden Globe wins for *To Die For* (1995), *Moulin Rouge!* (2001), *The Hours* (2002), and TV series *Big Little Lies* (2017).
• Notable Films: *Eyes Wide Shut*, *Moulin Rouge!*, *The Others*, *Big Little Lies* (TV).

Tom Cruise: The Global Action Star

• Full Name: Thomas Cruise Mapother IV
• Born: July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New York, USA
• Spouses: Mimi Rogers (m. 1987–1990), Nicole Kidman (m. 1990–2001), Katie Holmes (m. 2006–2012)
• Children: Isabella Jane Cruise (adopted), Connor Anthony Cruise (adopted), Suri Cruise (with Katie Holmes)
• Key Career Highlights: Breakthrough in *Risky Business* (1983) and *Top Gun* (1986). Three-time Golden Globe winner for *Born on the Fourth of July* (1989), *Jerry Maguire* (1996), and *Magnolia* (1999).
• Notable Films/Franchises: *Mission: Impossible* (Franchise), *Top Gun: Maverick*, *A Few Good Men*, *Rain Man*, *Minority Report*.

The Turbulent Path: From 'Days of Thunder' to Divorce

The couple’s whirlwind romance began in 1989 on the set of *Days of Thunder*. Tom Cruise, already a global superstar following *Top Gun*, was instantly smitten with the young, relatively unknown Australian actress, Nicole Kidman. They married on Christmas Eve, 1990. For over a decade, they were Hollywood royalty. Their joint appearance in Stanley Kubrick’s final film, the highly controversial *Eyes Wide Shut* (1999), cemented their status as a cinematic and cultural phenomenon. The film, which explored a married couple's sexual and emotional journey, was seen by many as a mirror of their real-life intensity. The marriage ended abruptly in 2001 when Tom Cruise filed for divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences." Nicole Kidman later admitted the split was a "major shock" to her. At the time, she was three months pregnant but tragically suffered an ectopic pregnancy, which she has referred to as a "huge, massive, painful loss."

Scientology, Adoption, and the Children's Current Stance

The most persistent and controversial entity in the story of the Cruise-Kidman split is the Church of Scientology. Tom Cruise is a devout, long-time member, a commitment that reportedly caused friction in the marriage. Reports from former high-ranking Scientologists have long suggested that the Church played a significant role in the divorce and the subsequent alienation of the children from Kidman. During their marriage, the couple adopted two children: Isabella "Bella" Jane (born 1992) and Connor Anthony (born 1995). Following the divorce, the children chose to live with their father and remained deeply entrenched in the Church of Scientology.

The Distance from Nicole Kidman

Today, both Bella and Connor Cruise are adults and active members of Scientology. Bella, an artist and entrepreneur based in London, and Connor, a musician and DJ, reportedly maintain a close relationship with their father, Tom Cruise, but a notably distant one from their mother, Nicole Kidman. The distance has been a source of public speculation for years. Insiders have suggested that the children, due to their upbringing in the Church, refer to their mother as a "Suppressive Person" (SP), a term used in Scientology for critics or enemies of the Church. Nicole Kidman, who has always been respectful and protective of her children's choices, has publicly stated that she accepts their path. "They are adults. They are able to make their own decisions," she once said, adding, "They have made choices to be Scientologists and, as a mother, it’s my job to love them."

The Keith Urban Connection

The relationship between Bella and Connor and Nicole’s second husband, country music star Keith Urban, has also been a point of tension. Reports indicate that the adopted children never truly accepted Keith Urban as a father figure, further solidifying their separate family unit with their father and the Church. Kidman and Urban have two biological daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret, who are being raised outside of the Scientology sphere. The separate lives of her four children highlight the enduring, complex legacy of her marriage to Tom Cruise.

The Enduring Legacy of the Hollywood Split

The Cruise-Kidman marriage and divorce serves as a powerful case study in how a high-profile union can be irrevocably altered by external forces, specifically a religious entity like Scientology. While the two stars have moved on—Tom Cruise continuing his global dominance with the *Mission: Impossible* franchise and Nicole Kidman achieving critical acclaim with roles in *The Hours* and *Big Little Lies*—the story of their family remains a poignant reminder of the personal cost of their separation. The current status of Bella and Connor, now in their late 20s and early 30s, highlights the continued influence of their father's faith on their family structure, a dynamic that continues to fascinate and sadden fans worldwide. Nicole Kidman has consistently chosen to prioritize her children's happiness and autonomy, even if it means accepting a relationship on their terms. This quiet dignity in the face of public scrutiny is perhaps the final, most enduring detail of a split that changed Hollywood forever.