Judd family friends mystified by supposed ‘rift’ over Naomi’s will

Friends are shocked over reports that Wynonna and Ashley Judd are fighting over their mom’s will.WireImage

After news broke that Naomi Judd had named her widower as the executor of her estate, numerous reports surfaced that her daughters, Wynonna Judd and Ashley Judd, had been “left out” of the will.

After, the Daily Mail even reported that Wynonna is planning to contest the decision. But sources close to the family told Page Six that they’re baffled by the claims.

A source pointed out that just because Larry Strickland, her husband of 33 years, had been put in charge of the $25 million will doesn’t mean that nothing will be left to her girls.

“It’s not known if other provisions were made [in the will]. You don’t know all of the arrangements,” the source said.

They also said that the daughters are close with Strickland, 76.

“He’s been in their lives since the late 70’s — from a really early age. He’s not a stranger,” they said.


Wynonna is reportedly upset that her late mother, Naomi, excluded her from her will. ABC via Getty Images
“It’s easy for people to say, ‘There must be trouble there,’” said the source. “[But] for people who have been around them, Larry has always been there. They call him ‘Pops.’ They all have adjoining farms.”

The source also pointed out that both women have their own fortunes.

Naomi died by suicide on April 30.

Ashley Judd.
Ashley is reportedly OK with her mom’s decision to appoint her husband, Larry Strickland, as executor of her estate. Getty Images
Doubtless, of course, there has been strife among the women.

Wynonna acknowledged as much just last month while performing at a Brandi Carlile concert. Wynonna joined her on stage and mentioned her “tough season of sadness” since “my mama’s been gone for two months.”

“I’m the artist formerly known as ‘The Judds,’” she said, referring to the duo she formed with her mom. “My sister is here tonight, and we are now the new Judds, and she’s sitting off stage.”

Ashley and Wynonna Judd
Wynonna dedicated a song to Ashley at a concert last month. Getty Images
“I’m a Judd, not a judge … Forgiveness, call somebody and say, ‘I’m sorry for my part. What can we do to heal?’” she told the crowd.

Wynonna then said, “That’s what we’re doing tonight.”

“We have been very disconnected because of schedule and whatever you want to say — family dysfunction, but we showed up tonight,” she said before singing and dedicating “Love is Alive” to Ashley.

“We’re going to sing this song in honor of my sister because it’s been about 12 years since she heard me sing, and it’s the beginning of a new chapter,” she said.

Our source told us Wynonna was being “really honest and open.” And while they have not yet spoken about the will, “if Ashley or Wynonna want to say something, they’ll work it out,” they said.