Mother of Winona Judd passed away: the story of Naomi and her family
12 may 2025 в 16:13
One of the most important people for Wynonna Judd was her mother, Naomi. Both women formed their iconic country music duo The Judds in the 1980s and became one of the most highly regarded collaborations in the music industry. After her mother’s death in 2022, Wynonna — hosting the Christmas show at Opry in 2023 — and her family had to adjust to life without Naomi. Keep reading to learn more about Wynonna’s mother, Naomi, and their family dynamics.
Naomi’s two daughters, Wynonna and Ashley Judd, both chose careers in the entertainment industry. Wynonna is known for her music, recording hits such as «I Saw the Light» and «No One Else on Earth». Ashley, on the other hand, is an actress known for various films such as «Divergent», - and has been nominated for an Emmy Award.
Naomi was found dead at the age of 76 in April 2022 from a self-inflicted gunshot. As later noted by her daughters, the Country Music Hall of Fame member had been struggling with depression for some time.
«Today we, sisters, have experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother due to mental illness», - wrote Ashley and Wynonna on Twitter at the time. «We are shattered. We are grieving deeply and know that just as we loved her, her audience loved her. We are in uncharted territory».
During a subsequent interview with PEOPLE, Wynonna explained that she still finds it difficult to accept her mother’s death.
«I can’t fully grasp it, and I don’t know if I ever will. That she left the way she did», - noted Wynonna. «That's the trickery and deceit of mental illness. You have to come to terms with not knowing. Sometimes there are no answers».
Recalling her mother’s strong character, Wynonna noted that Naomi «was always resilient. No matter what happened to her — being fired, forgotten. A single white woman raising two kids on her own. On unemployment and food stamps. She never gave up».
Fortunately, Wynonna’s last words to her mother were «I love you», - as she said during her interview, adding: «I have accepted [her death] as much as humanly possible. Acceptance, and then surrender, and what comes after — that’s the search for meaning».
Throughout her life, Naomi was open about her mental and physical health. The Grammy Award winner battled hepatitis C after contracting the disease from a needle while working as a nurse before the start of her singing career.
«When I was told I had hepatitis C, I was on top of the world, performing in arenas», - she said, referring to The Daily Record. «Then I was told I had only three years to live».
In 2014, Naomi shared the moment she learned she had beaten the disease in an essay she wrote for Everyday Health. «I remember being in a hotel in New York with my actress daughter Ashley when I got the call», - she recalled. «When [the doctor] told me I was completely rid of the virus, Ashley and I started crying, and even in his voice there was a stutter. Ashley and I walked down the street in New York to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where we thanked God for such a miraculous healing».
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1−800−273-TALK (8255).
Wynonna will host a special Christmas show on NBC on December 7th
Naomi’s two daughters, Wynonna and Ashley Judd, both chose careers in the entertainment industry. Wynonna is known for her music, recording hits such as «I Saw the Light» and «No One Else on Earth». Ashley, on the other hand, is an actress known for various films such as «Divergent», - and has been nominated for an Emmy Award.
Naomi was found dead at the age of 76 in April 2022 from a self-inflicted gunshot. As later noted by her daughters, the Country Music Hall of Fame member had been struggling with depression for some time.
«Today we, sisters, have experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother due to mental illness», - wrote Ashley and Wynonna on Twitter at the time. «We are shattered. We are grieving deeply and know that just as we loved her, her audience loved her. We are in uncharted territory».
During a subsequent interview with PEOPLE, Wynonna explained that she still finds it difficult to accept her mother’s death.
«I can’t fully grasp it, and I don’t know if I ever will. That she left the way she did», - noted Wynonna. «That's the trickery and deceit of mental illness. You have to come to terms with not knowing. Sometimes there are no answers».
Recalling her mother’s strong character, Wynonna noted that Naomi «was always resilient. No matter what happened to her — being fired, forgotten. A single white woman raising two kids on her own. On unemployment and food stamps. She never gave up».
Fortunately, Wynonna’s last words to her mother were «I love you», - as she said during her interview, adding: «I have accepted [her death] as much as humanly possible. Acceptance, and then surrender, and what comes after — that’s the search for meaning».
Throughout her life, Naomi was open about her mental and physical health. The Grammy Award winner battled hepatitis C after contracting the disease from a needle while working as a nurse before the start of her singing career.
«When I was told I had hepatitis C, I was on top of the world, performing in arenas», - she said, referring to The Daily Record. «Then I was told I had only three years to live».
In 2014, Naomi shared the moment she learned she had beaten the disease in an essay she wrote for Everyday Health. «I remember being in a hotel in New York with my actress daughter Ashley when I got the call», - she recalled. «When [the doctor] told me I was completely rid of the virus, Ashley and I started crying, and even in his voice there was a stutter. Ashley and I walked down the street in New York to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where we thanked God for such a miraculous healing».
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1−800−273-TALK (8255).
Wynonna will host a special Christmas show on NBC on December 7th
© Puhova Marina
