Singer and television star Naomi Judd, famous for nearly four decades as the matriarch of the country music duo the Judds, has died at 76, her daughters Wynonna Judd and Ashley Judd said in a statement Saturday (April 30).
No cause of death was immediately given, although her daughters, Wynonna and Ashley attributed their mother’s death to “the disease of mental illness” on social media.
The announcement came the day before the Judds were set to be formally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame at a medallion ceremony in Nashville. The ceremony is expected to go ahead with Wynonna in attendance.
The Judds had 8 No. 1 country music singles in row in the 1980s and won the Country Music Awards’ best duo/group category from 1985-91, winning 9 CMAs altogether.
(Production: Toyin Amusan)