On Saturday April 30th, Wynonna Judd and her sister, actress Ashley Judd announced on social media that their beloved mother, Naomi Judd, had passed away. As most know, Wynonna and Naomi make up award-winning mother-daughter country duo The Judds.
“Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness. We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory,” their joint statement read.
— The Judds (@juddsofficial) April 30, 2022
Naomi’s death comes almost three weeks after Naomi and Wynonna’s first televised performance in almost 20 years at the CMT Music Awards. They performed their hit song “Love Can Build A Bridge,” which will go down in history as their last performance together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1Smd25IFck
Naomi’s death also came one day before The Judds were to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Judds were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday (May 1), with Ashley and Wynonna in attendance. Ashley tearfully said, “I’m sorry that she couldn’t hang on until today.”
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After news of Naomi’s death broke, countless country stars took to social media to pay their respects.
On Monday (May 2), Dolly Parton took to social media to mourn Naomi, who she considered a close friend.
“I was so shocked to hear about Naomi’s passing. Naomi and I were close,” she wrote. “We loved big hair, makeup and music. I have always loved Ashley, Wynonna, and Naomi. They’ve always been like sisters to me.”
A bright light shines elsewhere today. I had the honor of portraying Naomi Judd in a miniseries about her life…attempting to braid my heart with hers and embody the boundless faith I know to be her truest self. Rest well, N.J. Love to Ashley, @Wynonna and NJ's pal @DollyParton pic.twitter.com/uXOQRea1ap
— Kathleen York (@birdyork) April 30, 2022
She continued, “Congratulations Wynonna for you and your mom being inducted into the Hall of Fame. I am sorry I couldn’t be there but I can hear Naomi saying now ‘Oh well, a day late and a Dolly short.’ Congratulations and condolences are both in order.”
Parton ended her tribute with, “Just know that I will always love you.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Judds, and all who knew and loved Naomi. See Dolly’s statement below.