L-R Naomi Judd, Wynonna Judd (screen capture)Country music star Naomi Judd dead at 76. She and her daughter Wynonna comprised the Grammy Award winning country duo The Judds.
Nashville’s ABC News affiliate, originally reported the cause of death was suicide, but has since edited the article to remove that line.
BREAKING: Naomi Judd, the Kentucky-born singer of the Grammy-winning duo The Judds and mother of Wynonna and Ashley, has died at 76. “We are navigating profound grief,” her daughters said in a statement to @AP. https://t.co/vvoobYyH2P
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 30, 2022
Her daughters Ashley and Wynonna shared the news of her death on Saturday 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.”
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.
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) April 30, 2022
The Judds were scheduled to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame tomorrow.
The mother-daughter performers scored 14 No. 1 songs in a career that spanned nearly three decades. After rising to the top of country music, they called it quits in 1991 after doctors diagnosed Naomi Judd with hepatitis.
The Judds’ hits included “Love Can Build a Bridge” in 1990,“Mama He’s Crazy” in 1984, “Why Not Me” in 1984,“Turn It Loose” in 1988, “Girls Night Out” in 1985, “Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain” in 1986 and “Grandpa” in 1986.
In 2016, Naomi told PEOPLE she had battled with suicidal thoughts and depression. She penned her memoir, River of Time: My Descent into Depression and How I Emerged with Hope, chronicling her struggles with mental health.
The duo had recently announced their first concert tour in over a decade.
Earlier this month, the duo returned to the stage to perform their mega-hit “Love Can Build A Bridge” at the 2022 CMT Awards.
This is heartbreaking news! Naomi Judd was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known. I had the honor of working with her in movies and numerous musical events. My deepest heartfelt condolences go out to her family. https://t.co/ONRL9Q29om
— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) April 30, 2022
Rest In Peace, Naomi Judd. Honored to have witnessed “Love Can Build a Bridge” just a few short weeks ago. 🤍😔
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) April 30, 2022
Rest in peace, Naomi Judd.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 – 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.