Naomi Judd passed away on Saturday, April 30, outside of Nashville, and the news of her death left the country music community in mourning.
Judd — the mother of Wynonna and Ashley Judd and the wife of Larry Strickland — was a singer in the mother-daughter duo The Judds, who were set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday. The Judds have the most No. 1s on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart among female duos/groups, and the second most No. 1s on the Hot Country Songs chart among all duos.
Her daughters said in a statement to The Associated Press that they had “lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness.” The Judd family requested privacy on Saturday and said there are no plans to release further information surrounding her death at this time.
“Country music lost a true legend…sing with the angels, Naomi!!!” Carrie Underwood wrote on Twitter. “We’re all sending up prayers for the Judd family today.”
“Rest In Peace, Naomi Judd,” Maren Morris said. “Honored to have witnessed ‘Love Can Build a Bridge’ just a few short weeks ago.”
“I had the honor of meeting Naomi Judd years ago and she was so incredibly kind. Sending love and prayers to Wynonna, Ashley, and the whole Judd family during this time. I never thought she’d go,” Kristin Chenoweth tweeted.
“Naomi Judd,” Cole Swindell wrote. “So sad to hear this news. Thinking of all of her family & friends. Tough day for country music.”
“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,” Travis Tritt said.
See the reactions to Judd’s death below.
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
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
I had the honor of meeting Naomi Judd years ago and she was so incredibly kind. Sending love and prayers to Wynonna, Ashley, and the whole Judd family during this time. I never thought she’d go 💔
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) April 30, 2022
Naomi Judd 😔 so sad to hear this news. Thinking of all of her family & friends. Tough day for country music..
— Cole Swindell (@coleswindell) April 30, 2022
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 power Naomi Judd
— Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) April 30, 2022
Oh Sweet Jesus… Naomi Judd has gone home … the day before the Judds @countrymusichof induction … This is divesting news… We are saddened beyond words…
— The Oak Ridge Boys (@oakridgeboys) April 30, 2022
Deepest sympathies @AshleyJudd and @Wynonna. Rest easy, Naomi Judd.
— AmandaShires (@amandashires) April 30, 2022
Omg😥 R.I.P Naomi Judd. The Judds were the first country artist I ever listened to. I knew that Love can build a bridge album word for word. U were my first, you made me fall in love with country music . To this day in my home your picture stands tall. Thanks for years of music❤️
— K. Michelle (@kmichelle) April 30, 2022