Naomi Judd, country music star, dies at 76

Country music star Naomi Judd, 76, who formed The Judds with daughter Wynonna, died Saturday. The information was confirmed in a statement signed by the artist’s daughters, singer Wynonna, 57, and actress Ashley Judd, 54.

“Today we sisters have experienced a tragedy. We have lost our beautiful mother to mental illness. We are devastated. We are navigating deep grief and we know that as we loved her, she was loved by her audience. We are in uncharted territory.” says the statement.

Alongside her daughter Wynonna, Naomi won five Grammys and was inducted into the Country Hall of Fame in 2021. The duo began their story in 1983, when Wynonna was just 19 years old.

In the 1980s and 1980s, The Judds amassed a long list of hit singles. In 1994, they released a 12-song compilation album that topped the country charts, including Grammy-winning hits “Why Not Me” and “Mama He’s Crazy”.

Naomi was just 17 years old when she gave birth to her eldest daughter, Christina Ciminella, named after her father, Michael. Later, Christina would change her name to Wynonna Judd after her parents divorced in 1972.

Naomi took custody of Wynonna and the two learned to play music together as they struggled to survive. The heartfelt songs connected deeply with the American audience.

The Judds were named Best Vocal Duo by the Academy of Country Music for seven consecutive years, from 1984 to 1990. They also won five Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group from 1985 to 1992, including “Give A Little Love” and “Love Can Build a Bridge”—the latter of which earned songwriter Naomi another Grammy for Country Song of the Year.

The duo broke up in 1991 after Naomi was diagnosed with hepatitis C, but reunited in 2000 for a tour. In 2016, Naomi revealed that she has struggled with severe depression and anxiety since she and Wynonna stopped touring as The Judds in 2011.