In an exclusive, heartfelt chat with Closer Weekly, country music icon Naomi Judd reflects on her incredible life journey and how she's embracing every moment at 71 years old. "It's nothing short of a miracle that I'm still here today," Naomi candidly shares with Closer. "I honestly don't know how I've made it this far, but here I am—fully alive, fully present, and still overachieving!"
Naomi's legacy stretches far beyond the world of country music, where she made waves with her daughter Wynonna. Her life has been nothing short of a rollercoaster—facing and overcoming unimaginable challenges, including abuse, severe depression, a harrowing trip to the psych ward, and even a 1990 hepatitis C diagnosis, during which doctors gave her only three years to live. But through it all, Naomi says the unwavering support of her family—daughters Wynonna, 53, and actress Ashley Judd, 49, as well as her husband of 28 years, singer-manager Larry Strickland, 71—has been her rock. "They’ve been my everything," she says. "Without them, I don’t know where I’d be."
Naomi’s Journey Through Darkness and Light
Naomi and Larry in 2004.
Read also:Kenny Mccaughy The Unsung Hero Of Standup Comedy
When Naomi first faced her severe treatment-resistant depression and extreme panic disorder, nothing seemed to work. "I was lost in a fog that I couldn’t break free from," she recalls. "But after months of intense therapy, I began to uncover all the things I had buried deep inside for so long." Naomi goes on to explain that the first memory that surfaced during her therapy was being molested by her uncle. "I was also beaten and raped by an ex-con on heroin when I was just 22," she reveals. "And if that wasn’t enough, my great-grandfather was a mass murderer, and my grandmother ended up killing her own husband, my grandfather."
Finding Strength in Vulnerability
Naomi credits the help of some truly brilliant experts in mental health for turning her life around. "They helped me see how much control I actually have over my life today," she says. "Through their guidance, I’ve learned to process the trauma of my past and use it as fuel to move forward." Naomi’s journey hasn’t been easy, but she’s now healthier than ever before. "I feel like I’ve been given a second chance at life," she explains. "And I’m not wasting a single moment of it!"
For more on Naomi's inspiring story, grab the latest issue of Closer Weekly, available now at newsstands. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes news!
