Lexi Webster
Naomi Judd was in Vienna, Austria, in April 2022, shortly before her death by suicide. Judd, a country music star, flew home from Austria to Nashville, Tennessee, ahead of her induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Her husband, Larry Strickland, noted that it was unusual for Judd to fly alone, and he was concerned for her fragility. Sadly, Judd died the day before the induction ceremony, at the age of 76.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for Naomi Judd's trip to Vienna, Austria | Country Music Hall of Fame ceremony |
| Date of return | April 29 |
| Date of death | April 30 |
| Date of Country Music Hall of Fame induction | May 1 |
| Cause of death | Self-inflicted firearm wound |
| Age at death | 76 |
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What You'll Learn
Naomi Judd's final flight
During the flight, Judd struck up a conversation with the man seated next to her. The man, unaware that Judd was famous, later sent Strickland an email in which he described their interaction as "entertaining, fascinating, enlightening, and thoroughly enjoyable." In his email, the man recalled how Judd had "spoken highly and warmly" of her husband and their life together. The letter brought Strickland "great, great pleasure and comfort" during a difficult time.
Judd's final flight came just days before her death by suicide on April 30, 2022, at the age of 76. Judd had been open about her struggles with mental illness and depression. Her death was attributed to a self-inflicted firearm wound. In an interview with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America, Judd's daughter Ashley said, "The lie the disease told her was so convincing... She couldn't hang on."
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Judd's battle with mental illness
Naomi Judd was open about her battle with mental illness and depression before her death in April 2022. Her daughter, Ashley Judd, confirmed that her mother died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Ashley and her sister, Wynonna Judd, announced that they had lost their mother "to the disease of mental illness". Naomi's husband, Larry Strickland, recalled that just days before Judd's death, the singer flew from Vienna, Austria to Nashville for the Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Strickland noted that it was unusual for Judd to fly alone and that he was concerned for her fragile state.
Naomi Judd had been outspoken about her mental health struggles before her death. In a 2016 interview with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, she said:
> "[Fans] see me in rhinestones, you know, with glitter in my hair, that really is who I am...But [...]"
Naomi's youngest daughter, Ashley, revealed that she was the one who discovered her mother, and that she and her family had decided to share the cause of death before it became public in some other way. She said:
> "I have both grief and trauma from discovering her [...] I’m sorry that she couldn’t hang on until today."
During the memorial ceremony, Wynonna and Ashley Judd shared personal anecdotes and memories of their late mother. Wynonna also revealed that she would continue with The Judds' planned tour, saying:
> "I’ve made a decision, and I thought I’d share it on national television: that after a lot of thought, I’m going to have to honor her and do this tour. I’m just going to have to. Because that’s what you would want. And Bono once told me, ‘Give them what they want, not what you want."
Naomi Judd's death by suicide has brought attention to the issue of mental health and the importance of seeking help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides a 24/7, confidential support for people in distress, prevention and resources for those affected by suicide.
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Judd: A River of Time memorial
Naomi Judd: A River of Time memorial was a special memorial aired by CMT to honour the life and legacy of the late country singer, Naomi Judd, who died by suicide on April 30, 2022, at the age of 76. Judd was a five-time Grammy award winner, a multi-platinum artist, and half of the country music duo, The Judds, with her daughter, Wynonna Judd.
The memorial featured Judd's husband, Larry Strickland, and their daughters, Ashley Judd and Wynonna Judd, who shared personal anecdotes and memories of their late mother. Strickland recalled the days before Judd's death, including her flight home from Vienna, Austria, where she had been alone, which was unusual. He shared that he had been scared about her flying alone because he knew how fragile she was. Strickland also read out a touching letter from a passenger who met Judd on the plane to Nashville, who said that his life was richer for having met her.
Ashley Judd opened the evening with a welcome to the Mother Church, explaining that "this is where Mom wanted her public celebration to take place." She described her mother as "everywoman" and "totally extraordinary." Ashley also revealed that she had been the one to discover her mother and that the family had reluctantly shared the cause of death—a self-inflicted firearm wound—before it became public in some other way.
Wynonna Judd also announced that she would honour her mother by continuing with The Judds' planned tour. She shared that it would be hard but that her mother would have wanted her to do it.
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Judd's induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame
The Judds, comprising Naomi Judd and her daughter Wynonna Judd, were selected to be inducted into the 2021 class of inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame. The mother-daughter duo were to be inducted alongside Eddie Bayers, Ray Charles, and Pete Drake. The Judds had a prolific career, winning five Grammys, nine CMA awards, seven ACM awards, and having 20 top 10 hits, including 14 in the number one spot.
Naomi Judd was a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and openly shared her struggles with depression. Sadly, she died by suicide on April 30, 2022, just a day before the induction ceremony. Despite this tragic news, the ceremony went ahead as scheduled on May 1, 2022, with Naomi's family wishing for the Medallion Ceremony to proceed.
Naomi's daughters, Ashley and Wynonna Judd, accepted the induction on behalf of their mother and themselves. Ashley shared her sorrow that her mother could not hang on until the ceremony, while Wynonna bravely declared that despite her heartbreak, she would continue to sing. The Judds' induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame was a testament to their enduring legacy and impact on country music, with their music and memory continuing to inspire and touch the hearts of many.
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Judd's death by suicide
Naomi Judd, the Grammy-winning country star, died by suicide at the age of 76. Judd's daughters, Ashley and Wynonna, announced her death in a statement to the Associated Press: "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."
Judd had been open about her mental health struggles and was an advocate for mental health awareness. In her 2016 book, River of Time: My Descent into Depression and How I Emerged with Hope, she revealed that she had suffered from suicidal depression. She also wrote an open letter for Mental Health Awareness Week in 2018, stating: "Suicidal behavior accompanies many behavioral brain disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression... To understand this issue better, we have to bring the study of suicide into mainstream neuroscience and treat the condition like every other brain disorder."
Judd's death came just a day before she and her daughter Wynonna were set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Judd had flown home alone from Vienna, Austria, which her husband, Larry Strickland, noted was unusual and frightening for him given how "fragile" she was. During her flight, Judd struck up a conversation with a stranger, who later sent Strickland a comforting email about their enjoyable encounter.
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Frequently asked questions
Naomi Judd was in Vienna, Austria, to attend the Country Music Hall of Fame ceremony.
Naomi Judd flew alone from Vienna, Austria, back to Nashville, USA, on April 29, 2022.
Her husband, Larry Strickland, was scared about her flying alone because he knew how "fragile" she was.
Naomi Judd died by suicide on April 30, 2022, the day after she landed in Nashville and a day before she and her daughter Wynonna Judd were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
