Naomi Judd was a singer with the superstar country music duo the Judds, along with her daughter, Wynonna.
- Died: April 30, 2022 (Who else died on April 30?)
- Details of death: Died by suicide at the age of 76, according to her daughters.
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If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide, they should not be left alone. Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. The Lifeline provides free, confidential support for people in crisis or emotional distress, 24/7 year-round. The Lifeline also offers an online chat for people who prefer to reach out online rather than by phone.
Legendary singing career and more
Judd brought up her daughters, Wynonna and future actress Ashley Judd, as a single mother after her divorce from their father. She and Wynonna began singing together professionally in the early 1980s, and with her dogged promotion efforts, they had a breakthrough in 1983. Their debut EP, “Wynonna & Naomi,” launched the following year, and it was an instant hit, with the single “Mama He’s Crazy” climbing to the top of the country charts. It was the first of eight consecutive No. 1 hits for the Judds, including “Girls’ Night Out,” “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days),” and “Cry Myself to Sleep.” They had 14 total No. 1 hits between 1984 and 1989, in addition to several other top ten singles. The Judds released their final album in 1990.
Judd was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 1991, which prompted the Judds’ breakup. While Wynonna embarked on a solo career, Naomi worked to raise awareness of hepatitis C and became a spokesperson for the American Liver Foundation. She acted in movies including “A Holiday Romance” and “The Killing Time. Judd also competed in the reality shows “Can You Duet” and “My Kitchen Rules,” as well as serving as a judge on “Star Search” from 2003 to 2004. She hosted the talk show “Naomi’s New Morning” on the Hallmark Channel and wrote several self-help books.
The Judds reunited several times over the years since their final album, most recently performing at the Country Music Awards on April 11. They had planned a 10-show tour for later in 2022. The Judds were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022, with the induction ceremony coming the day after Judd’s death.
Notable quote
“I was bonked on the head by this fairy godmother, who I consider the fans. They accepted me and changed my life forever. And when I would get on that stage, I wanted to live that fantasy I had longed for. I was so tired of buying my clothes at the flea market and having to take my kids to the United Way Thrift Store when school started. I felt so guilty, so incompetent as a mom.” –from a 1995 interview for Ability
Tributes to Naomi Judd
Full obituary: Tennessean
