Ashley Judd Opens Up About 'Great Terror' of Mom Naomi's 'Untreated' Medical Battle
Ashley and Naomi Judd
Ashley Judd is opening up about the "great terror" of her mom Naomi Judd's death.
On Tuesday, April 23, the Where the Heart Is actress spoke about her mother's mental health during an event at the White House to promote the Biden Administration's newly formed National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
Just ahead of the second anniversary of the country music singer's passing, Ashley delivered an emotional presentation to the panel, giving insight into her mom's struggles.
"I'm here because I am my beloved mother's daughter and on the day she died, which will be the two-year anniversary in one week, the disease of mental illness was lying to her, and with great terror, convinced her that it would never get better," the Double Jeopardy actress shared.
She also revealed that Naomi was a “survivor of childhood and adult male sexual violence,” and "lived most of her life with an untreated and undiagnosed mental illness."
Related: Naomi Judd's Daughter Ashley Reflects on Her Death in Emotional Essay
Ashley further explained that while the "Give a Little Love" songstress was enduring the longtime battle, at some point, it became too much to bear, as she added that it "lied to her and stole from her, and it stole from our family, and she deserved better."
Similar to her mother, the High Crimes actress dealt with her own fair share of mental health concerns, addressing her bout with childhood depression and the “feeling of not wanting to be here” in her 2011-released memoir All That Is Bitter and Sweet.
"I've been in good recovery for 18 years and I've had a different outcome than my mother," she told the audience at the event, after unveiling she started her treatment and healing journey in 2006. "I carry a message of hope and recovery."
As Parade previously reported, the legendary musician died at the age of 76 in April 2022.
Next: Wynonna Judd Sends Sweet Nod to Late Mother Naomi Following End of Tour
