Naomi Judd, an esteemed figure in country music, passed away on April 30, 2022, at the age of 76. Renowned for her collaboration with her daughter Wynonna in the duo The Judds, she attained widespread acclaim, garnering numerous awards and achieving record-breaking sales. Beyond her musical prowess, Naomi Judd extended her talents to the realms of acting and production, gracing the silver screen in notable films such as Someone Like You and An Evergreen Christmas. Throughout her life, she embraced motherhood, nurturing two daughters, Wynonna and Ashley, from her two marriages.
Her enduring partnership with Larry Strickland, her second husband, spanned 32 years until her passing. Strickland, a distinguished gospel singer, notably performed as part of Elvis Presley’s backup group, The Stamps Quartet, alongside his roles as a producer and manager for The Judds and other esteemed artists. However, following Naomi’s demise, questions arose concerning the distribution of her estate, with Strickland assuming the role of executor, prompting inquiries into the management of her will and the extent of his inheritance.
Naomi Judd’s Net Worth at the Time of Her Death
Celebrity Net Worth reported Naomi Judd’s net worth at $25 million upon her passing. The bulk of her wealth stemmed from her illustrious music career alongside her daughter in The Judds, spanning from 1983 to 1991, with intermittent reunions thereafter. Their prolific output included six studio albums, four compilation albums, and 26 singles, an impressive 15 of which claimed the top spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Their achievements were further underscored by five Grammy Awards, nine Country Music Association Awards, and seven Academy of Country Music Awards.
In addition to her collaborative endeavors, Naomi augmented her earnings through solo projects, notably her bestselling autobiography Love Can Build a Bridge, adapted into a TV movie. She further diversified her portfolio with publications on health and wellness, including Naomi’s Breakthrough Guide: 20 Choices to Transform Your Life and Naomi’s Guide to Aging Gratefully: Facts, Myths, and Good News for Boomers. Additionally, she ventured into television hosting with Naomi’s New Morning on the Hallmark Channel in 2005.
Expanding her repertoire, Naomi ventured into the realm of acting, featuring in notable films such as Someone Like You alongside Hugh Jackman and Ashley Judd, An Evergreen Christmas with Robert Loggia and Charleene Closshey, and Forever My Girl alongside Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe. Her television credits included appearances on Touched by an Angel, Doc, Hope & Faith, Army Wives, and The Killing Game.
Larry Strickland’s Net Worth and Role in Naomi’s Estate
Reportedly, Larry Strickland’s net worth falls within the range of $1 to $4 million. The majority of his income stemmed from his extensive career in gospel singing, notably with The Stamps Quartet, which served as Elvis Presley’s backing group from 1971 to 1977. Additionally, he lent his vocal talents to various other renowned ensembles such as JD Sumner & The Stamps Quartet, The Masters V, The Palmetto State Quartet, and The Blackwood Brothers.
Beyond his musical endeavors, Strickland made significant contributions as a producer and manager, nurturing the careers of iconic artists including Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and many others spanning a wide spectrum of country music luminaries.
In regard to Naomi Judd’s estate, her will, crafted on November 17, 2017, bestowed full authority and discretion to Larry Strickland over her assets, effectively cutting out her daughters Wynonna and Ashley from inheritance. Larry, as the sole beneficiary due to surviving Naomi by more than 90 days, assumed control over her estate per her wishes.
Speculation regarding the exclusion of Naomi’s daughters from the will has arisen, with some attributing it to strained familial relations exacerbated by Naomi’s mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Furthermore, Naomi’s struggle with chronic liver disease, hepatitis C, and addiction to painkillers further complicated her relationship with her daughters.
Tragically, Naomi’s life ended in a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, residence, mere hours before she was to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame alongside Wynonna. In response, her daughters issued a joint statement expressing their devastation at losing their mother to mental illness and requested privacy as they navigated their profound grief.
In the wake of Naomi’s passing, Larry Strickland has maintained a stance of privacy, refraining from public statements while dutifully handling her estate in accordance with her wishes and preserving her memory.
