Naomi Judd Has Died
Naomi Judd, one of the most legendary country western singers, has sadly passed away. Her death was reported by daughters Ashley and Wynonna.
A country and western music legend has sadly passed. Naomi Judd, of the singing double act The Judds, has tragically fallen victim to mental illness. The sad news was relayed by her daughters Wynonna and Ashley Judd via social media and the associated press on Saturday 30 April, Deadline reports.
Naomi Judd was born in Kentucky and moved to California after a marriage ended. From that ending, Judd found new beginnings, attending medical school, and raising her two daughters as a single parent. Ashley Judd forged a career as an actress starring in the likes of Double Jeopardy and Heat. Naomi’s other daughter, Wynonna was the second half of The Judds double act. The two daughter’s grief is clear and present for the world to see, as they eloquently posted on social media.
Naomi Judd’s stellar career was set to be honored this weekend as a 2021 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Judds and Naomi had a career worthy of the induction. As Newser report, the duo had a string of successes in the 1980s, with over a dozen #1 country singles in just seven years. That astonishing achievement is also bolstered by a string of awards. Among the accolades the dup received are nine CMA Awards, eight Academy of Country Music Awards, and five Grammys.
Even more tragic is Naomi Judd’s passing due to the announcement earlier in the year that The Judds were set to tour again. Billboard announced on April 11 that “The Final Tour” was set to kick off on September 30 for what would have been a ten-show run. A tour worthy of a legend and for Naomi, Wynonna it is a great shame for them and their fans that the tour will never come to pass.
Naomi Judd and her career of genre-defining music have led to a chorus of tributes (as per British news source the BBC) to the fallen star. The Academy of Country Music has led these tributes saying that they were “deeply saddened” by the news. Another tribute came from the actress Kristen Johnston, who starred alongside Naomi Judd in 3rd Rock from the Sun, Johnson had this to say: “The thing I remember best was how proud she was of her daughters.”
Johnston’s tribute highlights perhaps Naomi Judd’s greatest success, not only is Judd an incredible actress, but life as a single parent raising Wynonna and Ashley is as noteworthy an accomplishment. In Wynonna, an artist that shared the spoils of The Judds’ incredible success and Ashley has forged a successful career as a Hollywood actress. The Judd sisters and their mother ensure that their family’s legacy of artistic talent will endure for years to come.
The family’s legacy, the success, and accolades again bring home the tragedy of Naomi Judd’s passing. Here is an artist who gave so much to both her fans and her daughters and for mental illness to take that away is a cruel reality. The circumstances are reminiscent of the likes of acting legend Robin Williams‘ passing. Another bright light that was taken too soon by a trialing affliction. The thoughts of the Country Music world will surely be with Wynonna and Ashely in this difficult time.
