Naomi Judd was born Diana Ellen Judd on January 11, 1946, in Ashland, Kentucky, to Pauline Ruth "Polly" Oliver and Charles Glen Judd.1 Her father owned a gas station, while her mother worked as a riverboat cook.1 Judd faced several challenges in her early life, including the loss of her brother Brian to leukemia in 1965 when he was just 17 years old.1 At the age of 18, she gave birth to her first daughter, Christina Claire Ciminella (later known as Wynonna Judd), whose biological father was Charles Jordan.1 Judd quickly married Michael Ciminella after being abandoned by Jordan, giving her daughter his last name.1 In 1968, Judd welcomed her second daughter, Ashley, who later became a successful film and stage actress.1 As a single mother, Judd raised both daughters while attending nursing school at California's College of Marin and living in nearby Lagunitas.1 Her experiences as a young mother and her rural Kentucky roots deeply influenced her personal and professional life.2

The Judds, consisting of Naomi and her daughter Wynonna, began their meteoric rise to country music stardom in the early 1980s. After moving to Nashville in 1979, the duo pursued a musical career while Naomi worked as a nurse and a model.1 A turning point came in 1982 when record producer Brent Maher was impressed by their unique harmonies, leading to a contract with RCA Victor Records in 1983.1 Their debut extended play, Wynonna & Naomi, was released in 1984, featuring the hit single "Mama He's Crazy," which became the first of eight consecutive number one singles for the duo.2 Throughout the 1980s, The Judds dominated the country music scene, winning numerous awards, including five Grammys and eight Country Music Association Vocal Group of the Year awards between 1985 and 1991.12 Their success was driven by their powerful vocal harmonies, a blend of traditional country, bluegrass, and pop influences, and their captivating mother-daughter chemistry on stage.1 The Judds released six studio albums between 1984 and 1991, producing 20 top 10 hits and selling over 20 million records worldwide, cementing their status as one of the most successful duos in country music history.3

Naomi Judd tragically died by suicide on April 30, 2022, at the age of 76, just one day before she was set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame alongside her daughter Wynonna.12 Her daughters released a statement saying, "We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness," highlighting Naomi's long struggle with depression and mental health issues.13

An autopsy report confirmed Naomi died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her home in Tennessee.1 A police investigation revealed a suicide note written by Naomi that said "Do not let Wy come to my funeral. She's mentally ill," referring to her daughter Wynonna, though Wynonna did ultimately attend the funeral.45

Naomi's passing prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans, fellow musicians, and public figures who celebrated her musical legacy and advocacy work.23 Despite the Judd family's request for privacy, details of Naomi's suicide note and the scene of her death were obtained and reported by media outlets, causing additional distress for the family.45

The Judds were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on May 1, 2022, in a ceremony that became a public memorial for Naomi. Wynonna and Ashley accepted the honor amidst tears, with Wynonna saying "Though my heart is broken, I will continue to sing."12 In the wake of their mother's death, Wynonna and Ashley have become even more vocal advocates for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.3