The following article includes references to sexual assault and suicide.
When Naomi died in late April 2022, Wynonna and Ashley lost a true pillar in their lives.
Here’s a look back at the loving yet complicated dynamic between Naomi and her oldest daughter Wynonna.
Naomi quickly pivoted, marrying the next man she began a relationship with, Michael Ciminella.
The family of three moved to Los Angeles, where Naomi and Ciminella welcomed their daughter, Ashley Judd.
Because their mother had multiple jobs to keep things afloat, the two girls were often alone together.
I mean mom gave birth to her but she kind of belongs to me."
From that point, the relationship between the two sisters became fractured.
In fact, Naomi Judd didn’t tell her oldest daughter the truth until she was 30 years old.
Wynonna explained toOprahin 2006 that it took her a long time to get over that hurt.
As she said, “The first thing I said was, ‘It’s okay.’
AsDeadlinereported, The Judds sold over 20 million albums.
“Between 1984 and 1991, they had twenty Top Ten country hits, including fourteen #1s.
“The younger Judd could growl with blues intensity and articulate heartache with tender sensitivity.”
She explained, saying, “She was 36.
I was 18 and I was the lead voice but I relied on her so much.
It was pretty 50/50.”
She went on to add that when it was time to pick music, she knew her strengths.
As Wynonna toldGood Morning America, “I traveled, I took friends, I rented jets.
I loved the great rock star lifestyle.”
Her extreme spending got so serious that she ended up in rehab for money troubles.
I’ve never felt like I belonged.”
Naomi admitted that she “wasn’t as sympathetic as [she] could have been.”
We’ve been through a lot of therapy together” (viaPeople).
She explained, “I love her but there are just times we need a break from each other.
We’re still a little estranged from each other.
And that happens with mother, daughters.
The mom of two toldThe Sault Starthat being a parent is humbling.
Wynonna told the publication, “[Parenthood] has opened and broadened my horizon.
Ashley Judd first shared the news of her mother’s death on social media.
“We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness,” Ashley wrote in anInstagram post.
“We are shattered.
It’s a very strange dynamic, to be this broken and this blessed” (viaCNN).
