NAOMI JUDD DIES AT AGE 76

Naomi Judd Dies At Age 76

The country music world is in mourning following the news that Naomi Judd, matriarch of the mother/daughter duo The Judds, passed away Saturday at the age of 76.

“Today we sisters experienced a tragedy,” read a statement from daughters Wynonna and Ashley. “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 previously opened up about her struggles with depression during a 2016 interview with “Good Morning America,” saying that throughout her decades-long career she suffered “extreme” and “severe depression,” which got worse after she and Wynonna stopped touring in 2011. She even said she had considered taking her own life.

  • The announcement of Naomi’s death came just one day before she and Wynonna were to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the ceremony went on as planned last night, although the red carpet was canceled out of respect for the family.
  • “The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum joins family and fans in grieving the sudden loss of Naomi Judd,” read a statement from the Hall. “Following the wishes of the Judd family, the museum will move forward with the Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, with Wynonna planning on being in attendance.”
  • The Judds made their last performance together at last month’s CMT Music Awards, where they performed their hit “Love Can Build A Bridge.” They had planned to go out on 10-date reunion tour, that was supposed to kick off September 30th.
  • In addition to the Hall of Fame honor, The Judds won nine CMA Awards, eight ACM Awards, and five GRAMMYs, including Best Country Song for “Love Can Build A Bridge.” They also had eight straight number one singles in the 80s.
  • Click here for country music’s reaction to Naomi’s death.

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