The country music community is mourning the loss of Naomi Judd, who passed away on Saturday, April 30, at the age of 76.
As the news of Naomi’s tragic death spread, artists such as Loretta Lynn, Carrie Underwood, Mickey Guyton, Ricky Skaggs, Maren Morris, Tenille Arts, Carly Pearce, Travis Tritt, Cole Swindell, and more took to social media to share their memories and sentiments for the chart-topping country icon.
Naomi was best known for her role as one half of the award-winning country duo, The Judds.
The unfortunate news comes just a week after Naomi Judd and Wynonna Judd reunited for a performance of “Love Can Build A Bridge” at the 2022 CMT Music Awards.
Their performance coincided with the announcement of The Judds’ farewell tour, which was set to kick off on September 30 and hit 10 cities with support from Martina McBride.
The mother-daughter duo earned 14 No. 1 hits during their career that spanned nearly three decades, including “Love Can Build a Bridge,” “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Why Not Me,” “Turn It Loose,” “Girls Night Out,” “Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain” and “Grandpa.”
The Judds toured in the ’80s where they had a catalog of twenty Top 10 hits, 20 million-plus albums sold, a combined 16 Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum albums, and The Judds Greatest Hits.
Since launching their career in 1983, the duo have gone on to release six studio albums and an EP. The superstar pair have also won several awards, including nine CMA Awards, seven Academy Of Country Music Awards and five GRAMMY Awards for hits like “Why Not Me” and “Give A Little Love.”
After rising to fame, the iconic country duo broke up in 1991 after Doctors diagnosed Naomi with hepatitis c.
In addition to her celebrated music career, Naomi was also an actress, having appeared in several TV movies and TV series.
“Country music lost a true legend…sing with the angels, Naomi!!! We’re all sending up prayers for the Judd family today…” Underwood wrote.
“Rest In Peace, Naomi Judd,” Morris shared. ”Honored to have witnessed “Love Can Build a Bridge” just a few short weeks ago.”
“This is heartbreaking news! Naomi Judd was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known,” Tritt also said, remembering the iconic singer. ”I had the honor of working with her in movies and numerous musical events. My deepest heartfelt condolences go out to her family.”
“There is no way I can get my mind to adjust to this reality. Naomi brought such a breath of fresh air to our industry with her uptown looks and down-home humor,” Jeannie Seely said. ”Her talent was only equaled by her dedication to following her dream and her unbelievable work ethic. She was respected, admired and will be remembered for those attributes. Even as we prepared a place for her in the Hall of Fame, we know that God has prepared a place for her as well.”
“🙌I’m heartbroken,” Miranda Lambert shared in the comments of a tribute that Tiffany Gifford, a Nashville-based stylist who Lambert and Judd both use, posted. The “If I Was A Cowboy” singer later shared her own post saying, “I’m thankful I got to spend just a little time with you Naomi. True legend. Praying for peace for this family. Rest easy.”
Other artists shared messages on Twitter and Instagram.
I’m thankful I got to spend just a little time with you Naomi. True legend. Praying for peace for this family. Rest easy 💔 pic.twitter.com/KJWe0HdWhX
— Miranda Lambert (@mirandalambert) 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
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
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
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 power Naomi Judd
— Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) April 30, 2022
What a profound loss. A trailblazer who was so vocal about mental health awareness and changed the world with her music. You will be so missed, Naomi. Sending all of my love to Wynonna, Ashley, and all of her loved ones. 💔 pic.twitter.com/uAuV7Yvjwf
— TENILLE ARTS (@TenilleArts) April 30, 2022
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend and fellow Kentuckian, Naomi Judd. Naomi was always so special to be with. She accomplished so much and she will be missed and loved forever. My prayers go out to Naomi and her family.❤️🙏🏻❤️ pic.twitter.com/Us57t9bfsj
— Crystal Gayle (@TheCrystalGayle) 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
RIP Naomi Judd. My mom taught me seemingly every one of your songs. She’d sing them often and loud. You left Country Music better than you found it.
— Bobby Bones (@mrBobbyBones) April 30, 2022
RIP Naomi Judd…Sending prayers to the entire Family pic.twitter.com/0iOvvx0nm6
— Jordan Davis Music (@JordanCWDavis) April 30, 2022
Deepest sympathies @AshleyJudd and @Wynonna. Rest easy, Naomi Judd.
— Ol’ Monster Shires (@amandashires) April 30, 2022
So very sad to hear of #NaomiJudd passing today. I had the great honor of knowing her, and she was no doubt one of the most iconic entertainers ever to make country music. Thinking of my good friend @Wynonna right now, this is a very tough day for her and the family. #TheJudds
— John Rich🇺🇸 (@johnrich) 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
I am shocked and saddened along with the rest of our country music community over the passing of Naomi Judd. I'll never forget meeting her for the first time when she was a contestant on a TV game show I was hosting. I asked her to identify herself for the audience… pic.twitter.com/ORKFPSGf8C
— Bill Anderson (@WhisperinBill) April 30, 2022
My heart is saddened from the loss of Naomi Judd. I had the pleasure of some great conversations with her over the years. She was always very kind and gracious to me. Such an Icon in country music. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. She will truly be missed. pic.twitter.com/r1I9JvsENV
— Tracy Lawrence (@tracy_lawrence) May 1, 2022
Words seem inadequate, but I wish the Judd family prayers and peace at this most challenging time.
Rest In Peace, sweet Kentucky girl. pic.twitter.com/W5tFLEt4Wk
— Steve Wariner (@stevewariner) 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
my heart, like so many’s are, is incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Naomi Judd. my deepest condolences and love goes out to @Wynonna and @AshleyJudd
truly a heartbreaking day. #RIPNaomiJudd #WynonnaJudd— leann rimes cibrian (@leannrimes) April 30, 2022
Mom and I are saddened to hear about the tragic passing of Naomi Judd. Prayers to Wynonna, Ashley and the rest of the Judd family. The Daniels family crossed paths with the Judd family many times over the years. Here's a photo from The Judds at dad's Volunteer Jam XII. – CD, Jr. pic.twitter.com/K2PnBYCCnZ
— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) April 30, 2022
So saddened to hear of the passing of country music’s Naomi Judd She added a prominent voice to The Judds and left behind a legacy of beautiful music. My love prayers go out to her family. Rest in Sweet Peace dear Lady. pic.twitter.com/0KV43GOYFw
— Rhonda Vincent (@RhondaVincent13) April 30, 2022
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Naomi Judd. My heart goes out to her family during this extremely difficult time. Country music will never be the same. Love one another. ❤️
— Trisha Yearwood (@trishayearwood) April 30, 2022
She is survived by daughters, Wynonna and Ashley, as well as her husband of 32 years, Larry Strickland. She also had two grandchildren, Grace Paulina Kelley and Elijah.
Naomi was known to have struggled with mental illness and detailed her battle with depression in her 2016 book, River of Time: My Descent into Depression and How I Emerged with Hope.
The Judds are set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame in Nashville on Sunday, May 1. Despite the unexpected passing of Naomi, the Medallion ceremony will proceed as planned, according to a statement from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO, Kyle Young.
A representative for the institution told Billboard, Wynonna Judd is expected to attend the ceremony.
