Keith Urban’s ‘cocaine clause’ explained as Nicole Kidman could be forced to pay millions in divorce
Warning: This article contains discussion of drug and alcohol addiction which some readers may find distressing.
The news that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are getting divorced after 19 years of marriage has sent shockwaves around the world - as has the couple's supposed 'cocaine clause'.
It was revealed this week that the Big Little Lies actress, 58, and the New Zealand-born country singer, 57, who share two teenage daughters, would be parting ways.
Kidman petitioned yesterday (30 September) to end the marriage in a Nashville court.
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Urban and Kidman were both raised in Australia, and met in 2005 at a Los Angeles event honouring Australians - they tied the knot in Sydney the following year.
The filing states that the marriage 'suffered irreconcilable differences' and includes both a marriage dissolution and childcare plan agreed on by the couple and submitted for a judge’s approval.
Now, as fans are coming to terms with the unexpected split, attention has turned to the couple’s alleged prenup agreement, which was signed before their wedding.
For anyone unfamiliar, a prenup is an agreement that no couple hopes they will ever have to use - signed before marriage, it lays out the terms of any separation in the future.
And unfortunately for Urban and Kidman, its terms have now become a reality - including a 'cocaine clause', which could allegedly see the singer walk away with a huge wad of cash.
What is Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman's 'cocaine clause'?
As reported by Radar Online, a 'cocaine clause' was included in the prenuptial agreement, stipulating that if Urban remains sober from drugs and alcohol throughout their marriage, and if it were to end, then he would receive a payment of $600,000 for every year that they were together.
Like we said, they married in 2006 before filing for divorce this year, so that means they've spent 19 years together.
So, if they decide to stick to this, it means the country singer could be in for a very substantial sum of $11.4 million in payments.
What has Keith Urban said about his addiction struggles?
Urban has been candid about his addiction struggles in the past and has also detailed how Kidman staged an intervention for him just months after they tied the knot, prompting him to go to rehab.
He opened up about this during a 2010 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where he explained: "She made a decision to turn around and initiate ultimately this intervention.
"It was done in such a way that the love in that room at that moment was just right. I was like, "Put the cuffs on, let's go."
Urban has long cited this moment as saving his life and beginning his sobriety journey.
He also talked about his addiction struggles at the AFI Life Achievement Award Gala last summer and talked about how it almost previously ruined their marriage.
Urban told the crowd: "My addictions... That I’d done really nothing about, blew our marriage to smithereens. Four months into a marriage, I’m in rehab for three months."
He admitted: "I had no idea what was going to happen to us. And if you want to see what love in action really looks like, give that a whirl.
"Nic pushed through every negative voice, I’m sure even some of her own, and she chose love. And here we are tonight, 18 years later."
According to Fox News, Urban has been sober for almost 19 years.
LADbible Group has previously contacted Kidman and Urban's representatives for comment.
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Topics: Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Celebrity, Sex and Relationships
Madison Burgess