Ashley Judd Reflects on Her Mother’s Tragic Passing
Ashley Judd has shared her most thorough account of the devastating moment she found out about her mother’s suicide in 2022. She expressed a desire to free her parents from the “guilt and shame” associated with her mother’s long battle with depression.
“I told her how much I love her… and it’s okay to go,” Ashley said in the documentary miniseries, Judd Family: The Truth is Told. This series aired on Mother’s Day weekend and is currently available on the Philo streaming service, focusing on the final day of her mother, Naomi Judd, a Grammy Award-winning country singer.
When Ashley arrived at her mother’s home near Nashville, she noted that Naomi, 76, was feeling “discomfortful” in her own body. Recalling that day, Ashley mentioned, “I placed my hands on her feet; she patted me, slowly softened, and returned to herself, calming down and sharing with me the reasons she wanted to stay alive,” despite her long-standing issues with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
“One of the things she said was my name. ‘Mom, I’m fine. It’s fine. It’s fine. It’s fine.’ She conveyed this in a deeply impactful way,” Ashley recalled. Later, when Naomi went upstairs, Ashley followed to check on her and “seemed to hurt herself.”
“I spent about 30 minutes holding my mother and talking to her,” Ashley recounted during the program. “The first thing I said was, ‘It’s okay, I’ve seen how much you’re suffering.’ We breathed together, and I expressed my love for her.
Ashley continued, “When she passed away, my deepest wish was to ensure she had let go of her guilt and shame. I was holding her hand, kissing her. She felt so soft and smelled beautiful.”
She described it as the “last completion of love in the relationship” they shared. “Being chosen by her in this human life has led me to hold space. I have become a bookend.”
In early 2023, Ashley talked about undergoing a challenging form of psychotherapy known as EMDR. She mentioned that her treatment was complicated by tabloids releasing graphic photos showing scenes from Naomi’s death, including Post-It notes left behind. A statement from Naomi’s other daughter, Wynonna, suggested she might not be allowed to attend the funeral.
These actions by the tabloids violated standards for responsibly reporting on such tragic events, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Nevertheless, the tabloids published the material after obtaining it through public records requests made to first responders at the scene.
Larry Strickland, Naomi’s former partner, later advocated for the Tennessee state legislature to limit what could be released regarding non-criminal deaths. The proposed restrictions were similar to those in California and Florida but were generally viewed as more friendly to public records.
In a statement from the Judd family on Tuesday, a representative highlighted the impact of a tragic shooting in March 2023, which killed nine children and three adults at a Nashville school, noting the attacker was also killed by police.
Naomi Judd, born Diana Ellen Judd in Ashland, Kentucky, worked as a nurse before joining forces with Winona to create a successful music duo. Their blend of acoustic, bluegrass, and blues drew a devoted fan base, culminating in 14 hit songs and five Grammy Awards over three decades.
Tragically, in 1991, while at the pinnacle of her career, Naomi was diagnosed with hepatitis, which forced her to retire from performing. Her mental health declined significantly before her death, preventing her from being inducted into the Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame alongside Wynonna.
The Judds previously stated, “Our patriarchs were plagued by unfair enemies,” reflecting on their struggles.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, resources are available. In the U.S., you can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or visit their website. In the UK and Ireland, the Samaritans can be contacted at Freephone 116 123. For those in Australia, Lifeline is available at 13 1114.
