skip to main content

Country music legend Naomi Judd dies aged 76

Updated / Sunday, 1 May 2022 15:27
Naomi Judd, pictured at her induction into the Kentucky Legends Hall of Fame in October 2013
Naomi Judd, pictured at her induction into the Kentucky Legends Hall of Fame in October 2013

Grammy winner Naomi Judd, the mother of fellow singer Wynonna Judd and actress Ashley Judd, has died. The country star, who performed with her daughter Wynonna as The Judds, was 76.

In a statement to the Associated Press, Wynonna and Ashley Judd said: "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."

Naomi Judd, Ashley Judd and Wynonna Judd at the Youth AIDS Gala in Washington DC in September 2005

No further details were given.

A statement on behalf of Naomi Judd's husband of 32 years, fellow singer Larry Strickland, said she had passed away near Nashville, Tennessee. The family has appealed for privacy.

Naomi Judd had been due to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday night alongside her daughter Wynonna. The ceremony in Nashville is to proceed and Wynonna Judd is expected to attend.

In a statement, Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said: "Naomi overcame incredible adversity on her way to a significant place in music history. Her triumphant life story overshadows today's tragic news. Her family has asked that we continue with The Judds' official Hall of Fame induction on Sunday. We will do so, with heavy hearts and weighted minds. Naomi and daughter Wynonna's music will endure."

Earlier this month, the duo performed at the CMT (Country Music Television) Awards in Nashville and had announced plans to go on tour later this year.

Born Diana Ellen Judd in Kentucky in January 1946, Naomi Judd worked as a nurse before embarking on a music career with her daughter Wynonna as The Judds.

They went on to become country music royalty and had hits including Why Not Me, Girls' Night Out and Love Can Build a Bridge.

Five-time Grammy winners, The Judds stopped performing in 1991 after Naomi Judd was diagnosed with hepatitis. They went on to perform and record again in subsequent years, with their last tour over a decade ago. The Judds were also stars of their own reality show, The Judds, on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

If you have been affected by issues raised in this story, please visit: www.rte.ie/helplines.

Here are some of the many tributes:

More stories on

Read Next