Naomi Judd Inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame After Her Death
Naomi Judd Dead at 76: Country Stars Pay Tribute
Naomi Judd‘s legacy lives on.
One day after the singer passed away at age 76, she and her daughter Wynonna Judd were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
During the during the ceremony in Nashville on May 1, Wynonna and sister Ashley Judd tearfully paid tribute to their late mother. “My momma loved you so much, and she appreciated your love for her and I’m sorry that she couldn’t hang on until today,” Ashley said in part while honoring Naomi. “Your esteem for her and regard for her really penetrated her heart, and it was your affection for her that did keep her going in these last few years.”
On April 30, Wynonna and Ashley made the heartbreaking announcement that Naomi had died.
“Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness,” read the siblings’ statement, which was posted on Ashley’s social media. “We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory.”
Following the news of Naomi’s passing, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum announced its decision to move forward with plans to honor The Judds during Sunday’s ceremony.
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“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Naomi Judd, who enters the Country Music Hall of Fame tomorrow as a member of mother-daughter duo The Judds,” the organization’s CEO Kyle Young said in a statement to E! News. “Naomi overcame incredible adversity on her way to a significant place in music history. Her triumphant life story overshadows today’s tragic news.”
He continued, “Her family has asked that we continue with The Judds’ official Hall of Fame induction on Sunday. We will do so, with heavy hearts and weighted minds. Naomi and daughter Wynonna’s music will endure.”
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In addition to the Judds, Eddie Bayers, Ray Charles and Pete Drake were also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame this year.
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