Wynonna Judd (seen in the right photo with mum, Naomi Judd, right) scoffs at rumours of feud with sister Ashley Judd (left). Photos: TNS, AFP
Rumours that the Judd sisters are squabbling over their mother’s will are untrue, Wynonna Judd said in a recent interview with People.
“Someone told me while I was at Ashley’s house, ‘Hey, did you know that they’re saying this about you?’ I went, ‘Huh? I’m fighting with Ashley? Oh. Again?’” the country star said in a story published on Oct 5 by the magazine.
“Fighting over what? I have such a great life. Ashley has a great life. Why would we be fighting over the will?”
Wynonna, 58, was responding to gossip that emerged after the April 30 death of her mother and former duet partner, Naomi Judd.
Naomi died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at age 76 and was discovered by daughter Ashley Judd.
Actress Ashley, 54, talked about the tragedy during a May appearance on Good Morning America, and said her mother suffered from mental illness.
“When we’re talking about mental illness, it’s very important to be clear and to make the distinction between our loved one and the disease,” Ashley said. “It’s very real, and it lies, it’s savage.”
In a cover story for People, Wynonna confirmed that Naomi’s husband of 33 years, Larry Strickland, is the executor of her mother’s estate. When Strickland dies, Wynonna said, she and Ashley will “split” the estate.
“There is no argument” over Naomi’s will, Wynonna said, adding that she has no plans to contest it.
“I am the last person in this family – and if Ashley was here, I’d hope she’d agree with me – who knows stuff like this,” Wynonna said. “I’m not savvy enough to go, ‘I’m going to contest the will.’ It never occurred to me.”
The Judd sisters have been known to butt heads over the years, according to media reports, but Wynonna told People their mother’s death has brought them closer together.
“Both my parents are gone, and I’m relying on Ashley,” Wynonna said. “She’s relying on me in a different way that’s about compassion. It’s not about being successful and smart and capable. It’s about, ‘I love you.’ ‘I love you, too.’ We’re vulnerable with each other, and we’re tender.”
Known as the Judds, Wynonna and Naomi released six successful albums, 1984-1990. along with radio hits such as Mama He’s Crazy, Why Not Me, Love Is Alive and Rockin’ With The Rhythm Of The Rain.
The duo also earned several awards from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music and Recording Academy, which oversees the Grammys.
Naomi died shortly before the Judds were to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Naomi and Wynonna also had announced their first tour together in more than a decade, billed as The Judds: The Final Tour.
Wynonna has kept the tour plans intact, performing solo in her mother’s honour, with Martina McBride as an opening act. – Advance Local Media LLC/Tribune News Service
