Hoda Kotb took to Twitter to share an emotional tribute to her friend, 76-year-old country singer Naomi Judd, following her unexpected death by suicide on April 30th after a long struggle with mental illness.
The 57-year-old Today co-anchor, who interviewed the singer several times on the show, wrote: “So saddened by this news. @kathielgifford and i treasured the moments we shared with her on our show. One of a kind. RIP.”
So saddened by this news. @kathielgifford and i treasured the moments we shared with her on our show. One of a kind ❤️❤️RIP Naomi Judd, of Grammy-winning duo The Judds, dies at 76 | AP News https://t.co/CcRCpVPffV
— Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb) April 30, 2022
Many fans took to the comments section of Hoda’s emotional post to issue heartfelt condolences. “I am so sad to hear this news! God bless their fans, friends and most importantly Wynonna and Ashley her daughters! You will be missed Naomi!” one fan wrote. “So saddened,” wrote another.
“So heartbreaking for you all! Our prayers are with you all,” added another, followed by a green heart emoji and a blue heart emoji. “Condolences to her family on such a loss. She was so lady-like and graceful…absolutely, beautiful. Prayers for peace of heart and mind for the family,” another fan wrote.
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Judd's death was announced by her two daughters, Wynonna and Ashley, via a statement which read: "Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness. We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we love her, she was loved by the public. We are in unknown territory." Naomi's husband Larry Strickland also issued a statement following her death, which read: "Naomi Judd's family request privacy during this heartbreaking time. No additional information will be released at this time."
Naomi's life and musical legacy will be honored in the CMT special Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebration. The commercial-free special will be broadcast live from Nashville's famous Ryman Auditorium on Sunday, May 15th, and will feature appearances from her daughters and many other famous faces. "While we all continue to deeply mourn the loss of such a legendary artist, we are honored to commemorate her legacy alongside the country community, her friends, family and legions of fans across the world at the perfect venue: The Mother Church of Country Music," the program’s CMT producers said in a statement.
