Naomi Judd 1946-2022

Wynonna Judd Addresses Rumors She Fought With Sister Ashley Over Naomi Judd's Will

Home / Stars / Wynonna Judd Addresses Rumors She Fought With Sister Ashley Over Naomi Judd's Will

By Kristin Myers on October 6, 2022 at 12:15 PM EDT

Singer Wynonna Judd is finally opening up on rumors that she argued with her sister Ashley Judd about their mother's will after Naomi Judd took her own life on April 30 at the age of 76.

Approximately five months after their mother passed away, Wynonna finally feels comfortable opening up about how she is grieving her mother’s death. A big part of that involves leaning on her sister Ashley for support… and dispelling rumors that the two had bad blood over Naomi’s will.

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Wynonna Judd Addresses Rumors That She Argued With Sister Ashley Judd Over Mother Naomi Judd’s Will

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Instagram | Wynonna Judd

In a new interview with PEOPLE, Wynonna, 58, made it clear that “there is no argument” with her younger sister, 54, over the will, despite what headlines had been claiming for months.

"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?'" Wynonna recalled. "Fighting over what? I have such a great life. Ashley has a great life. Why would we be fighting over the will?"

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Naomi Judd 1946-2022
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According to court documents, Naomi had appointed her husband of 33 years, Larry Strickland, as the sole executor of her estate. Many were surprised that Naomi hadn’t named her two daughters, Wynonna and Ashley, in the published documents. However, Wynonna told PEOPLE that when Larry passes away, she and Ashley will “split” the estate, and thus has no plans to contest Naomi’s will.

"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," she told the publication. "I'm not savvy enough to go, 'I'm going to contest the will.' It never occurred to me."

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Wynonna Says That Naomi’s Death Has Brought Her and Her Sister Closer Together

Naomi Judd's Family Files To Keep 'Graphic' Death Scene Photos Private
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It should be noted that Larry Strickland is not the biological father to either of the girls. Wynonna’s father is Charles Jordan and Ashley’s father is Michael Cimenella; however, Wynonna has spoken candidly about how her mother raised them both as a single mother.

"I feel like we're connected in a way that is so different because I'm an orphan," Wynonna told PEOPLE. "Both my parents are gone, and I'm relying on Ashley. 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."

"As sisters, we disagree on so much," she confessed. "But when it comes to our mother, we both look at each other and go, 'She was quite the character.'"

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Naomi Judd Left A Suicide Note For Family, On Multiple Prescription Drugs During Death
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However, that’s not to say that the two have had a picture-perfect relationship. The two have been on the outs several times over the years, including in 2012, when both Ashley and Naomi skipped out on Wynonna’s wedding to her husband, musician Cactus Moser.

"[Ashley and I] were separated at age 14 and 18 by success," Wynonna said. "So we've missed out on a lot of time together." However, with the help of a life coach, the two sisters were better able to understand each other.

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Wynonna Judd Turned To A Life Coach To Repair Her Relationship With Sister Ashley

Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd at 2010 CMA Music Festival Opening Ceremonies with The Judds
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Fortunately, having a life coach has taught the two sisters how to communicate and compromise, as well as have more compassion for each other.

"Ashley and I are very different people, and we are learning that we have more in common than we don't," she said. "That's really interesting because when you're younger, you think there's more disconnect. We had a really deep conversation the other day, and we got through it and nobody got hurt."

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"We've been able to work the process our life coach has given us: communication, compromise and compassion," Wynonna continued. "In my disagreements with Ashley and Mom, I never gave up loving them, because I knew behind all that, there was someplace to meet and connect upon. I tell people: Try to find something that you have in common. Ashley and I, when it all goes to h---, can play cards and get along."

Wynonna added that “the relationship I have with my sister is the most powerful in my life” and it seems to be true for Ashley as well, who opened up about grieving her mother's death in the public eye in a powerful op-ed that can be read here.

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