'She shaped me, she guided me, she made me'

The Australian star won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival for her performance in thriller film, Babygirl.

However, she had to leave Italy shortly after arriving, after receiving the tragic news that her mum, Janelle Kidman, had passed away at the age of 84.

The award was accepted on her behalf by director Halina Rejin, who read out a moving statement from the 57-year-old, the Metro reports.

The statement said: "Today, I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after my brave and beautiful mother, Janelle Anne Kidman, had just passed.

"I’m in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her."

Janelle Kidman had suffered from declining health in recent years, with her daughter having returned to Australia to help care for her.

In her statement, the Oscar-winning actress thanked her mum for the influence she had on her life and career.

She wrote: "She shaped me, she guided me, and she made me. I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina.

"The collision of life and art is heartbreaking. My heart is broken."

Her mum and her father Anthony Kidman had played a huge role in the actress' career, and were both present when she won her Academy Award in 2003 for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in The Hours.

Anthony Kidman passed away in 2014.