Editor’s Note: This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
The life and death of Naomi Judd, the iconic country music star and half of the beloved duo The Judds, continues to be a topic of discussion and reflection, particularly in light of the recent Lifetime docuseries, "The Judd Family: Truth Be Told." The series offers a raw and intimate glimpse into the complexities of the Judd family dynamic, revealing previously undisclosed details about Naomi’s struggles, her relationships, and the events leading up to her tragic passing in April 2022.
One of the most startling revelations to emerge from the docuseries is the confirmation from Naomi’s widower, Larry Strickland, that she once shot a gun at him after discovering his infidelity. This incident, briefly alluded to in Naomi’s 1993 memoir, "Love Can Build a Bridge," takes on a new weight with Strickland’s explicit acknowledgement.
Naomi Judd and Larry Strickland were married for 33 years. In her memoir, Naomi described their relationship as a "wildly, madly, passionately in love" affair, despite Strickland’s frequent absences from home due to his career as a background singer for Elvis Presley. The cracks in their seemingly idyllic marriage began to surface when Naomi discovered Strickland’s affair.
The article references how, in her memoir, Judd detailed the moment she learned about her husband’s cheating after a woman continued to call their home and express her love for Strickland.
During the docuseries, Strickland watched a scene from the TV movie adaptation of Naomi’s memoir, "Love Can Build a Bridge," where the actress portraying Naomi shoots the actor playing Strickland after discovering his infidelity. Strickland confirmed the fictionalized scene was rooted in reality. "Well, it really happened," Strickland admitted. "That’s all I can say. That’s all I’m going to say. It happened."
The disclosure of this incident adds another layer of complexity to the narrative surrounding Naomi Judd’s life and death. It underscores the intense emotional turmoil she experienced throughout her life and the challenges she faced in her personal relationships.
Naomi Judd died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on April 30, 2022, at the age of 76. Her death came just one day before The Judds were scheduled to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, a bittersweet moment for her family and fans.
Strickland revealed he was concerned about Naomi’s well-being in the days leading up to her death. "I was really scared to death about her flying alone all the way from Vienna back to Nashville cause I knew how fragile she was," Strickland shared during CMT’s "Naomi Judd: A River of Time," a tribute honoring Naomi shortly after her passing.
Naomi’s daughter, actress Ashley Judd, bravely spoke about her mother’s mental health struggles and the manner of her death on "Good Morning America." She explained her mother used a firearm. Ashley stated the family was uncomfortable sharing this information but felt compelled to do so in order to control the narrative.
Ashley also shared details from Naomi’s final day, recounting that she visited her mother and stepfather every day when she was in Tennessee. "Mom said to me, ‘Will you stay with me?’ and I said, ‘Of course I will,’" Ashley recalled. "I went upstairs to let her know that her good friend was there and I discovered her. I have both grief and trauma from discovering her."
The docuseries also delves into the complicated relationship between Naomi and her daughters, Ashley and Wynonna Judd. Both sisters acknowledge they had a difficult relationship with their mother, who struggled with her own personal demons and trauma.
Wynonna Judd has been particularly vocal about the generational trauma that she believes contributed to her mother’s suicide. "One of the reasons I have decided that Mom left this world is because of trauma, generational trauma, family stuff that never got healed or fixed," Wynonna said in the first episode of the show.
Ashley added that their mother lived with a "constellation of her sufferings" that spiraled into severe depression before her death. The docuseries explores the sisters’ experiences growing up with a young mom, the abuse they suffered at the hands of one of their mother’s exes, their move from Los Angeles to Kentucky, and the challenges they faced as The Judds rose to superstardom in country music.
"I’ve loved her more than I’ve loved myself, but Mother was both in love with me and terrified of me because I represented what she didn’t know and couldn’t control," Wynonna shared at the beginning of the docuseries, highlighting the complex dynamics within their family.
Strickland also confessed to feeling "jealous as crap" of Naomi’s success early in her career. Naomi wrote in her memoir that after she found out their song "Mama He’s Crazy" was No. 1, Strickland stood up and walked out the door. "I was jealous as crap of her, you know," he admitted, "so we just kind of fell apart a little bit."
"The Judd Family: Truth Be Told" paints a portrait of a family grappling with fame, mental illness, infidelity, and the weight of generational trauma. It is a story of love, loss, and the enduring power of family bonds, even in the face of unimaginable adversity. While the revelations about Naomi’s past and her struggles are often difficult to hear, they offer a deeper understanding of the woman behind the music and the challenges she faced throughout her life. The docuseries serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of addressing mental health issues and seeking help when needed. It’s a testament to the strength and resilience of the Judd family, who are courageously sharing their story in the hopes of helping others who may be struggling with similar issues.
