Photo courtesy 2911 Media
Just months before legendary country group The Judds were set to reunite for their final “The Final Tour,” publicity group 2911 Media confirmed that matriarch Naomi Judd passed away on Saturday, April 30 at the age of 76.
Details surrounding Judd’s death have been sparse, but as her two daughters — singer/songwriter and bandmate Wynonna Judd and actress Ashley Judd — shared the same message on Twitter, which says in part, “We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness.”
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.
— Wynonna (@Wynonna) April 30, 2022
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.
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) April 30, 2022
The Judds signed to RCA Nashville in 1983, continuing country music’s rich history of family bands. Naomi and Wynonna went on to release six studio records together, as well as one box set collection, two EPs, three live albums, and 18 compilation albums. The duo won five Grammy awards (all in the category of Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group) and 14 of their singles charted at No. 1 between 1985-1991, including “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days),” below.
But in 1991, Naomi was diagnosed with Hepatitis C and the band had to retire from performing after its “Farewell Tour.” Though she ultimate beat the disease, she has been open about her own mental health struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. She went on to publish self-help books, as well as children’s books and even New York Times bestsellers. In 2016, her memoir River of Time: My Descent into Depression and How I Emerged with Hope, divulged her childhood trauma, experiences as a single mother, health crises, and survival.
The Judds most recently performed their top 5 hit “Love Can Build a Bridge” (which earned Naomi another Grammy award for co-writing) during the CMT Music Awards ceremony on April 11. And on Sunday, they were scheduled to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Country Music Television shared this statement with a video of the performance: “We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of the legendary Naomi Judd and honored to have shared many unforgettable moments and performances together over the years. Our hearts go out to her husband Larry, daughters Wynonna and Ashley, and her legions of fans around the world during this difficult time.”
Naomi is survived by her daughters, Wynonna and Ashley, and her husband, Larry Strickland.
In the United States, a number of organizations are committed to suicide prevention. Please visit, call, or text The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Samaritans USA, or others if you are in need. A list of services specifically for mental health in the music industry can be found here (via Billboard).
