Nicole Kidman’s father dies in Singapore

Nicole Kidman's father dies in Singapore


Dr Antony Kidman is pictured here with his daughter Nicole Kidman (Photo: YouTube / Screen grab)

Antony Kidman, the father of Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman, has died in Singapore, with reports saying he had a fall in his hotel room.

The Australian was visiting his daughter Antonia Kidman in Singapore, media reports said.

Dr Kidman was a clinical psychologist at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney Morning Herald reported.

He was also director of the Health Psychology Unit at the University of Technology, Sydney.

The Straits Times in Singapore quoted a statement from Professor Attila Brungs, vice-chancellor of the university, who confirmed the news.

"It is with great sadness that we learn of Dr Tony Kidman's sudden passing. During his 43 years at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), Tony has contributed greatly – as a colleague, as a researcher, and as a health practitioner. Tony will be missed by all at UTS. Our thoughts are with his family at this time," the statement read.

Singapore police told The Straits Times that a man in his 80s was brought into Tan Tock Seng Hospital from Stevens Road and was pronounced dead at around 9.55am on Friday 12 September. 

Police said they are investigating the unnatural death.

Nicole's younger sister, Antonia, lives in Singapore with her husband, Craig Marran, and six children, Australian Women’s Weekly reported.

Dr Kidman is a contributor to the weekly magazine, and the magazine's website said its staff members were told about his death today.

A spokesperson for Royal North Shore Hospital did not want to comment when approached by Sydney Morning Herald.

KNOWN FIGURE IN HEALTH SERVICES

Initial reports said Dr Kidman had a fall in his hotel room after breakfast. 

Sources told the magazine that the family is too distressed to comment.

Nicole is reportedly in Nashville, US at the time of his death, and her mother Janelle is in Sydney.

Dr Kidman was a regular speaker on radio and television, and he was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2005 for his contributions to clinical psychology.

In one of his last public statements, he wrote of the pointless pursuit of happiness.

In the article titled ‘Forget happiness, search for meaning’, he stressed the importance of going for achievable goals in life and to be contented with what you have instead of chasing after a life of material wealth.

The Australian Women’s Weekly published a portion of the text he wrote: "Humans are very good at denigrating themselves and their self-worth. For example, I should be successful and I must be attractive.

“There is nothing wrong with preferring and working hard to achieve these objectives, but when you demand that they happen, then you are in for a difficult time. A crucial strategy used in therapy is to get people to accept themselves and others unconditionally.

"People who achieve contentment are liked. They are good role models, are normally empathetic and are sought after as friends. These attributes give meaning to their lives; they help other people and achieve contentment with the cards they have been dealt.”

Dr Kidman and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in December 2013 in Sydney and both his daughters and their families flew back to be with them.

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