Naomi Judd: A Visual Journey Through Her Life and Career

Country music legend Naomi Judd — one half of the duo The Judds — has died, her daughter Ashley Judd announced Saturday. She was 76 years old.

The Judds are best known for hits like “Mama He’s Crazy” and “Love Can Build a Bridge.” The duo picked up a total of five Grammys, nine CMA awards, and seven ACM awards throughout their illustrious career.

The Country Music Hall of Fame described The Judds’ music as having “distinctive harmonies,” with “powerful” lead vocals and acoustic accompaniments that encompass elements of “traditional folk, blues, and family harmony.”

The Judds’ final performance was at the 2022 CMT Music Awards, and Judd’s passing came just a day before she was to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Judd with her brother, Brian Judd, around 1949 in Ashland, Kentucky.
Judd with her brother, Brian Judd, around 1949 in Ashland, Kentucky. From Judd Family
Wynonna Judd, left, shows off her first toy guitar in 1970.
Wynonna Judd, left, shows off her first toy guitar in 1970.

From Judd Family

Judd, left, and Wynonna Judd pose for photos at a restaurant gig in 1978.
Judd, left, and Wynonna Judd pose for photos at a restaurant gig in 1978.

From Judd Family

By 1980, Judd had started pursuing a musical career for her and her daughter. The two sing together on a porch while Wynonna plays guitar.
By 1980, Judd had started pursuing a musical career for her and her daughter. The two sing together on a porch while Wynonna plays guitar.

From Judd Family

Wynonna Judd, Dolly Parton, and Naomi Judd attend the Marlboro Sponsored Country Music Tour on March 8, 1987, at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York.
Wynonna Judd, Dolly Parton, and Naomi Judd attend the Marlboro Sponsored Country Music Tour on March 8, 1987, at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York.

Robin Platzer/The Chronicle Collection/Getty Images

Judd poses with her daughters Ashley Judd, left, and Wynonna Judd in 1984.
Judd poses with her daughters Ashley Judd, left, and Wynonna Judd in 1984.

From Judd Family

Judd and Wynonna Judd pose for a promotional photo used on the cover of their 1984 album, Why Not Me.
Judd and Wynonna Judd pose for a promotional photo used on the cover of their 1984 album, Why Not Me.

Everett Collection

Judd and Wynonna Judd attend the Grammy Awards on February 26, 1985. They won their first Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal for the song 'Mama He's Crazy.'
Judd and Wynonna Judd attend the Grammy Awards on February 26, 1985. They won their first Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal for the song ‘Mama He’s Crazy.’ Ron Galella/Getty Images
Judd poses for a photo in 1988, the same year as the release of The Judds' Greatest Hits album, featuring the songs 'Give a Little Love' and 'Change of Heart.'
Judd poses for a photo in 1988, the same year as the release of The Judds’ Greatest Hits album, featuring the songs ‘Give a Little Love’ and ‘Change of Heart.’

Denver Post/Getty Images

Judd, with daughters Wynonna Judd and Ashley Judd, greets U.S. Marines at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, around 1988.
Judd, with daughters Wynonna Judd and Ashley Judd, greets U.S. Marines at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, around 1988.

Everett Collection

Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd perform on stage during a concert on April 12, 1991.
Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd perform on stage during a concert on April 12, 1991.

John Atashian/Getty Images

Ashley Judd, left, Naomi Judd and Wynonna Judd attend the Commitment to Life Concert Benefit on November 18, 1992 in Universal City, California.
Ashley Judd, left, Naomi Judd and Wynonna Judd attend the Commitment to Life Concert Benefit on November 18, 1992 in Universal City, California.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images

Judd stars alongside Kenny Rogers as Flora Mae Pepper in the movie 'Rio Diablo,' released in 1993.
Judd stars alongside Kenny Rogers as Flora Mae Pepper in the movie ‘Rio Diablo,’ released in 1993.

Alamy Stock Photo

Judd appears on the show 'Up in the Air' with Swoosie Kurtz. The episode aired May 21, 1994.
Judd appears on the show ‘Up in the Air’ with Swoosie Kurtz. The episode aired May 21, 1994.

NBC/Everett Collection

Wynonna Judd, left, and Naomi Judd perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXVIII in Atlanta on January 30, 1994.
Wynonna Judd, left, and Naomi Judd perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXVIII in Atlanta on January 30, 1994.

Eric Draper/AP

Musicians Dana Williams, Brian Prout, Jimmy Olander, Gene Johnson, Marty Roe and Dan Truman of Diamond Rio, hold Judd at the 31st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Universal City, California on April 24, 1996.
Musicians Dana Williams, Brian Prout, Jimmy Olander, Gene Johnson, Marty Roe and Dan Truman of Diamond Rio, hold Judd at the 31st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Universal City, California on April 24, 1996. Barry King/Alamy Stock Photo
Judd, left, and Wynonna Judd perform at San Jose Arena in San Jose, California on March 3, 2000.
Judd, left, and Wynonna Judd perform at San Jose Arena in San Jose, California on March 3, 2000.

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Judd takes part in the pre-race parade before the start of the 88th running of the Indianapolis 500 in Indianapolis on May 30, 2004.
Judd takes part in the pre-race parade before the start of the 88th running of the Indianapolis 500 in Indianapolis on May 30, 2004.

Robert Laberge/Getty Images

Judd and husband Larry Strickland at the 'Twisted' film premiere in Los Angeles on February 23, 2004.
Judd and husband Larry Strickland at the ‘Twisted’ film premiere in Los Angeles on February 23, 2004.

Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock

Wynonna Judd, Ashley Judd, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Naomi Judd at the Youth AIDS Gala on September 14, 2005.
Wynonna Judd, Ashley Judd, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Naomi Judd at the Youth AIDS Gala on September 14, 2005.

Louis Myrie/WireImage/Getty Images

Judd performs at the 2008 Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California on May 3, 2008.
Judd performs at the 2008 Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California on May 3, 2008.

Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Judd, left, and Wynonna Judd perform during the 2010 CMA Music Festival in Nashville on June 11.
Judd, left, and Wynonna Judd perform during the 2010 CMA Music Festival in Nashville on June 11.

Alamy Stock Photo

Poet Maya Angelou and Judd attend Angelou's 82nd birthday party in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on May 20, 2010.
Poet Maya Angelou and Judd attend Angelou’s 82nd birthday party in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on May 20, 2010.

Steve Exum/Getty Images

Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd perform onstage during the ACM Presents: Girls' Night Out: Superstar Women of Country concert held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 4, 2011.
Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd perform onstage during the ACM Presents: Girls’ Night Out: Superstar Women of Country concert held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 4, 2011.

Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Actor Conrad Bachman and Judd attend her induction into the Kentucky Legends Hall of Fame at Down One Bourbon Bar in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 12, 2013.
Actor Conrad Bachman and Judd attend her induction into the Kentucky Legends Hall of Fame at Down One Bourbon Bar in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 12, 2013.

Stephen Cohen/Getty Images

Wynonna Judd, left, and Naomi Judd arrive at The Venetian Las Vegas to launch their nine-show residency 'Girls Night Out' in Las Vegas on October 6, 2015.
Wynonna Judd, left, and Naomi Judd arrive at The Venetian Las Vegas to launch their nine-show residency ‘Girls Night Out’ in Las Vegas on October 6, 2015.

Isaac Brekken/Getty Images

Judd and her husband, Larry Strickland, cook together in an episode of 'My Kitchen Rules' on January 19, 2017.
Judd and her husband, Larry Strickland, cook together in an episode of ‘My Kitchen Rules’ on January 19, 2017.

FOX Image Collection/Getty Images

Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd attend the 2022 CMT Music Awards at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville on April 11, 2022.
Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd attend the 2022 CMT Music Awards at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville on April 11, 2022.

Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images


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