Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Antony David Kidman |
| Born | 10 December 1938, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 12 September 2014 (age 75), Singapore — heart attack after a fall |
| Ancestry | Scottish and Irish (paternal and maternal lines) |
| Occupation | Psychologist, biochemist, academic, author |
| Major appointments | University of Technology Sydney; Royal North Shore Hospital (over 43 years combined service) |
| Publications | ~154 journal articles, 9 books |
| Honors | Member of the Order of Australia (AM), 2005 |
| Spouse | Janelle Ann Kidman (née Glenny), married 1963 — died September 2024 (age 84) |
| Children | Nicole Kidman (b. 1967), Antonia Kidman (b. 1970) |
| Grandchildren | Reported as 10 in total |
Early life and family background
The oldest of four children, Antony David Kidman was born in Randwick on December 10, 1938, and raised in North Sydney. His parents, Arthur David Kidman, from Scotland and Margaret Emily Mary Callachor from Ireland, impacted his upbringing. His marriage to Janelle Glenny in 1963 lasted over 50 years and produced two daughters who became public figures.
Academic career and professional achievements
Kidman worked in clinical psychology, biochemistry, education, and applied health research. The University of Technology Sydney and Royal North Shore Hospital employed him for over four decades, where he directed the Health Psychology Unit and worked on youth mental health. About 154 peer-reviewed publications, nine books, and several conference presentations were his scholarly output. He advocated for early care and funding to prevent severe mental diseases including childhood-onset schizophrenia and helped build training and scholarship opportunities. A youth mental health center bears his name.
| Metric | Number / Year |
|---|---|
| Years at major institutions | Over 43 years |
| Journal articles | ~154 |
| Books authored | 9 |
| Order of Australia (AM) | 2005 |
Research interests and passions
Kidman wrote and advocated for clinical health psychology, youth mental health, hypnotism, and early cognitive influence research. He used biochemistry to inform psychology and vice versa. He was known as a well-rounded scholar due to his interests in war history, politics, the performing arts, and fitness outside of the lab and clinic.
Family and public profile
Antony and Janelle Kidman had two famous daughters. Nicole Kidman (born 1967) became an Oscar-winning actress, and Antonia Kidman (born 1970) became a journalist and TV host. With children born between the early 1990s and the early 2010s, both daughters’ families now have ten grandkids.
Family at a glance
| Relation | Name / Notes |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Janelle Ann Kidman (Glenny), nursing instructor, married 1963 — died Sept 2024 |
| Daughter | Nicole Kidman (b. 1967), actress |
| Daughter | Antonia Kidman (b. 1970), journalist and TV presenter |
| Grandchildren (Nicole) | Isabella Jane Cruise (b. 1992, adopted), Connor Cruise (b. 1995, adopted), Sunday Rose (b. 2008), Faith Margaret (b. 2010, surrogate) |
| Grandchildren (Antonia) | Lucia (c. 1998), Hamish (c. 2001), James (c. 2003), Sybella (c. 2007), Nicholas (c. 2010), Alexander (c. 2012) |
After Antony’s 2014 death, family members spoke of their closeness and the emotional toll, while Nicole Kidman has spoken of her loss after her mother’s 2024 death.
Death, controversies, and public reaction
Reports say Antony Kidman, 75, died of a heart attack after falling in a hotel room while visiting family in Singapore on September 12, 2014. After his death, several significant web allegations linked him to abuse rings and other crimes. While those charges have not been proven in court, mainstream public conversation has focused on his professional contributions and his family’s anguish. Social media and independent videos have boosted contentious allegations, but they are not legal judgments.
Financial status and legacy institutions
Kidman’s job as an academic and clinician suggests senior professional income, not celebrity wealth, and her net worth is unknown. Scholarships, designated centers, and young mental health programs continue his legacy. Scholarships in health psychology and a mental-health center named after him encourage youth research and services.
Character and reputation
Antony Kidman was described as a loving, intellectually interested man who cared about education, science, and family, but others recall posthumous online accusations. Public records include publications, clinical leadership, and a 2005 national honor (AM), however some charges have gone unsubstantiated. His professional reputation is based on decades of academic and clinical work.
FAQ
Who was Antony Kidman?
Born in 1938, Australian psychologist and biochemist Antony Kidman worked in clinical and academic settings for 43 years and wrote 154 journal papers and nine books.
When did he die and what was the cause?
He died on 12 September 2014 in Singapore at age 75; reports state a heart attack following a fall in his hotel room.
What are his best-known professional achievements?
He managed the Health Psychology Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital, improved youth mental health, published widely, and was given an AM in 2005.
Who were his immediate family members?
He was married to Janelle Ann Kidman (married 1963, died September 2024) and had two daughters, Nicole (b. 1967) and Antonia (b. 1970).
How many publications did he produce?
Public records indicate approximately 154 peer-reviewed journal articles and nine books.
Are the allegations that circulated after his death proven?
Allegations that appeared around the time of his death have not been substantiated in court and remain unproven.
How many grandchildren did he have?
Reports list ten grandchildren across Nicole and Antonia Kidman’s families.
What honors did he receive?
He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2005 for service to clinical psychology.
What institutions continue his legacy?
A youth mental-health centre bearing the Kidman name and scholarships in health psychology are among the institutions preserving his work.
