Country Music Icon Naomi Judd Dead At 76 Due To A “Disease Of Mental Illness”

Wynonna Judd, Naomi Judd country music

Country music lost a legend today.

Country music icon and Grammy-winning entertainer Naomi Judd passed away today, April 30, 2022, outside of Nashville. She was 76 years old.

Her husband of 32 years, Larry Strickland, said he will not be making any further statements and that Naomi’s family requests privacy during this heartbreaking time. No additional information or a cause of death was revealed.

Her daughters Wynonna and Ashley released the following statement regarding her passing:

“Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. 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.”

The Kentucky native was, of course, the matriarch of the mother/daughter duo, The Judds, with her daughter Wynonna.

Beginning in 1983, the duo released six studio album, scoring twenty top-10 hits and winning five Grammy Awards. In 1991, Naomi was diagnosed with Hepatitis C, and Wynonna resumed her career as a solo artist.

Known for singles like “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Why Not Me,” “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days),” and more, The Judds were one of the cornerstone country acts from the mid to late ’80s.

The tragic news also comes as the Judds were gearing up for a comeback.

The Judds were to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame tomorrow, May 1st, and recently announced plans for their first tour in over a decade. Dubbed The Final Tour, it was expected to be their last.

Wynonna said that they’re looking forward to seeing their fans out on the road for the final time and celebrating their 38 years in country music:

“What I’m looking forward to most is celebrating Judd music with the fans. Mom and I have had quite the journey over the last 38 years, and the fans have been with us through it all. This tour is a celebration for them!”

Naomi continued:

“The fans have always been my family of choice. I love them dearly, so I’m chompin’ at the bit to belt out our hits and reconnect with them once again.

The cherry on top is singing with my beloved, wild and extremely talented daughter… the best singer of any genre, Wynonna. She asked me if I was still going to twist, twirl and crack jokes. I answered, “Heck yeah! I’m too old to grow up now!”

The duo also performed at the CMT Music Awards earlier this month.

RIP Naomi

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