SINGAPORE - The father of Australian actress Nicole Kidman, Dr Antony Kidman, died in Singapore on Friday, apparently after a fall.
A renowned clinical psychologist conferred one of the nation's highest awards for his contribution to health services in 2005, he was visiting his younger daughter, Antonia, who lives in Singapore with her banker husband and their six children.
The Singapore police said a man in his 80s was pronounced dead at Tan Tock Seng Hospital at about 9.54am Friday. He was brought in from around Stevens Road. The police said they are investigating the unnatural death.
There was no official confirmation on the cause of death but many news reports in Australia said it was triggered by a fall.
A statement from Professor Attila Brungs, vice-chancellor of the University of Technology, Sydney, where Dr Kidman worked as director of the Health Psychology Unit, confirmed the news of his death.
The statement said: "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."
Nicole Kidman and her husband, country music star Keith Urban, returned to Australia in December last year for her parents 50th wedding anniversary party. Antonia, who is 44 and three years younger than Nicole, also flew in from Singapore for the party.
The family was reported to be in 'shock' following Dr Kidman's death.
The Daily Mail Australia quoted Nicole's publicist and long-time family friend, Wendy Day, as saying the "family is in shock and is grieving.'
"I think that some time and privacy to deal with this shock and tragedy," Ms Day added.
She also said that that Dr Kidman suffered a fall in a hotel room in Singapore, but that was all the information she had at hand.
Reports indicated Dr Kidman was a family man who doted on his two daughters.
Nicole Kidman has previously been quoted describing her father as a "great" man that she could rely on at any time of the day.
"He's a great father, I can call him at three in the morning and he's there for me," The Daily Mail Australia quoted her as saying.
