Dolly Parton Responds To Naomi Judd’s Passing

The country music world is still in shock over the death of the legendary Naomi Judd, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 76 after reportedly taking her own life following years of struggles with mental illness. 

Now, Judd’s fellow country music legend Dolly Parton is speaking out to pay a touching tribute to her late friend, saying that she was “shocked” to hear about her death. 

‘Naomi And I Were Close’

“Naomi and I were close. We were very similar,” Parton wrote in a statement posted to social media. “We were the same age and both Capricorns. We loved big hair, makeup, and music.” 

“I have always loved Ashley, Wynonna, and Naomi,” she continued, referring to Judd’s two daughters. “They’ve always been like sisters to me.”

“Congratulations Wynonna for you and your mom being inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Parton added. “I am sorry I couldn’t be there but I can hear Naomi saying ‘Oh well, a day late, and a Dolly short.'”

“Congratulations and condolences are in order for the both of you,” she concluded. “Just know that I will always love you.”

Related: Naomi Judd’s Alleged Cause Of Death Revealed – It’s Heartbreaking

Parton And Judd’s Similar Background

The Tennessean reported that both Parton and Judd came from humble origins, and they were born just eight days apart in January of 1946. While Parton grew up in poverty in rural Tennessee, Judd grew up in a similar way in rural Kentucky.

“We were so broke, and wearing flea market dresses,” Judd recalled last year.

Watch Judd talk about her friendship with Parton last year in the video below.

Ashley and Wynonna made the tragic announcement of Judd’s passing hours after it occurred last Saturday.

“Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness,” they said, according to Page Six. “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.”

Larry Strickland, who was married to Judd for 32 years, released a brief statement of his own, saying, “Naomi Judd’s family request privacy during this heartbreaking time. No additional information will be released at this time.”

Related: Naomi Judd’s Granddaughter In Prison Won’t Attend Funeral

Judd Battled Depression For Years

Multiple sources have since said that Judd committed suicide after a years-long struggle with mental illness that he had been very public about. 

“[Fans] see me in rhinestones, you know, with glitter in my hair, that really is who I am,” Judd said in a 2018 interview. “But then I would come home and not leave the house for three weeks, and not get out of my pajamas, and not practice normal hygiene. It was really bad.”

It will obviously take the Judds, Parton, and the rest of the country world quite some time to come to terms with this unspeakable tragedy. Please join us in saying a prayer for them all at this difficult time.