Naomi Judd was born Diana Ellen Judd on January 11, 1946, to Pauline Ruth ‘Polly’ and Charles Glen Judd. She gave birth to her first child, Wynonna Judd (née Christina Ciminella), at just the age of 18, later welcoming her second daughter, Ashley Judd, in April 1968. She raised both daughters as a single parent before becoming prominent in the country music scene in the 1980s.
Naomi and Wynonna together formed the musical duo The Judds in the early 1980s, going on to release 20 hit singles and earn five GRAMMY Awards, among other accolades. After Naomi was diagnosed with Hepatitis, the pair ceased to perform together, with the country icon going on to struggle with severe depression and anxiety.
Naomi sadly passed away at the age of 76 on April 30, 2022. “Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness,” a statement read from Wynonna and Ashley. “We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by the public. We are in unknown territory.”
Scroll through to see photos of Naomi over the years below.
