Naomi Judd, the singer for the country music duo The Judds and mother of Wynonna and Ashley Judd, has died suddenly at age 76.
In this photo taken on April 11, 2022, Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd of The Judds attend the 2022 CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee. US country music star Naomi Judd has died at age 76. Photo: AFP
The daughters announced her death on social media Sunday in a statement.
"Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness," the statement said.
"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."
No further information was given.
Tributes were being paid to Naomi Judd on social media.
Have been so heartsick all day for @Wynonna and @AshleyJudd. The layers of pain are just unimaginable. I hope you can feel the waves of love reaching you from all the corners of the world ♥️ So much love from New Zealand xx
— Tami Neilson (@tamineilson) May 1, 2022
Country music lost a true legend…sing with the angels, Naomi!!! We’re all sending up prayers for the Judd family today…
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) April 30, 2022
My very deepest condolences to the family of Naomi Judd The story of her hard-fought rise with Wynonna and Ashley is absolutely remarkable.
— Ian Saint (@iansaint_) April 30, 2022
The Judds reunited to perform “Love Can Build a Bridge” with a choir at the CMT Music Awards 19 days ago. It was spell-binding. RIP pic.twitter.com/ccU8ZPrwbx
We held a pause in tonight’s Opry performance for a moment of silence in Naomi Judd’s honor, recognizing her impact as an artist and human being will last forever.
— Grand Ole Opry (@opry) May 1, 2022
Our prayers for peace are with her family, friends, and fans. pic.twitter.com/2NjNLIB98v
The Judds were to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday and had just announced a national tour, their first in years.
Naomi and her daughter Wynonna formed the Judds in 1983 and were one of the most successful acts in country music history, winning five Grammy Awards and releasing 14 No.1 country singles.
The Judds ended their career in 1991 when Naomi was diagnosed with hepatitis and Wynonna went on to a popular solo career.
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