Naomi Judd’s Husband Larry Strickland Finally Breaks His Silence—And It’s Heartbreaking

After more than two years of silence, Larry Strickland, the husband of late country music icon Naomi Judd, has finally opened up about the painful truth behind their marriage and Naomi’s tragic final days.

In a newly released documentary, Larry’s candid revelations paint a portrait of a relationship marked by deep love, but also by emotional wounds, psychological struggles, and regret.

Larry and Naomi met in 1979, both already immersed in the world of music. Naomi, then a single mother and nurse, was just beginning her rise to country stardom with her daughter Wynonna.

Larry, a gospel singer who had toured with Elvis Presley, was captivated by Naomi’s passion. They married in 1989, but beneath their public image as a strong couple, cracks were already forming.

Larry admits their marriage was intense but troubled. As Naomi’s career soared, so did the pressures—demanding schedules, media scrutiny, and the constant challenge of balancing fame and family.

Behind the scenes, Naomi struggled with mood swings, insecurity, and deep-seated fears of abandonment, shaped by a difficult childhood and previous relationships. Larry, often away on tour, recalls coming home once to find their wedding photos destroyed, a sign of Naomi’s emotional turmoil.

In the documentary, Larry confirms a long-rumored but never publicly acknowledged incident: during a period of marital crisis in the late 1980s, Naomi fired a gun at him after discovering his infidelity.

He describes it not as a violent act, but as an expression of pain and desperation—an outburst from someone who felt betrayed and alone. The couple kept the incident private, choosing to protect Naomi’s public image and their family’s fragile unity.

Naomi’s struggles ran deeper than anyone knew. Diagnosed with hepatitis C, she withdrew from performing and shifted to television and advocacy, but depression and anxiety took hold.

Larry describes years of isolation, with Naomi sometimes unable to get out of bed, her days blurred by medication and despair. Despite intensive treatment—including electroconvulsive therapy—her condition rarely improved for long.

The final years were particularly hard. Larry recalls Naomi’s growing detachment, her vacant eyes, and her exhaustion. On April 30, 2022, just one day before the Judds’ induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Naomi died by suicide.

Her daughter Ashley found her, and the family chose to proceed with the ceremony, honoring Naomi’s legacy even as they grieved.

Controversy followed when it was revealed that Naomi’s will left her entire estate to Larry, excluding her daughters. Wynonna and Ashley ultimately respected her wishes, but the decision highlighted longstanding family tensions and Naomi’s complex inner world.

Now, Larry is using his voice to advocate for mental health awareness. He admits he once believed love was enough, but now understands the importance of presence, listening, and support. Both Wynonna and Ashley have joined him in raising awareness, turning their private pain into a public call for compassion.

Naomi Judd’s story is a sobering reminder: behind even the brightest stars can lie profound darkness, and silence can be as dangerous as the struggles it conceals. Larry’s message is clear—listen, support, and never underestimate the battles others may be fighting in silence.