Dolly Parton was ‘so shocked’ to hear her close friend and country music peer Naomi Judd had passed away.
The Jolene hitmaker has paid a touching tribute to the late singer, who was the same age as Dolly, 76, when she passed away following a battle with her mental health last week.
Dolly says she and Naomi were ‘very similar’ and loved the same things, while the late star and her daughters, Ashley and Wynonna, have been like sisters to her.
The blonde beauty also said she ‘will always love’ Naomi.
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Sad times: Dolly Parton was ‘so shocked’ to hear her close friend and country music peer Naomi Judd had passed away. Seen in March
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Sad goodbye: The Jolene hitmaker has paid a touching tribute to the late singer, who was the same age as Dolly, 76, when she passed away following a battle with her mental health last week. Seen on April 11 in Nashville
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A loss for all: In a statement on her Instagram page, the music legend began: ‘I am so shocked to hear about Naomi’s passing. Naomi and I were close’
In a statement on her Instagram page, the music legend began: ‘I am so shocked to hear about Naomi’s passing.’
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She added, ‘Naomi and I were close.’ They go back to the 1970s.
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Parton then said: ‘We were very similar. We were the same age and both Capricorns. We loved big hair, makeup and music.
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They go back: Dolly with Wynonna and Naomi at the 35th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in year 2000
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Such beauties: And here they are seen in the 80s; from left, Wynonna, Dolly and Naomi
‘I have always loved Ashley, Wynonna and Naomi. They’ve always been like sisters to me.’
The 9 To 5 hitmaker went on to send her ‘congratulations’ to Wynonna and her parent after The Judds – the Grammy-winning mother-daughter duo they formed in the 80s – were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday.
That fell just one day after Naomi’s death.
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Love: ‘We were very similar. We were the same age and both Capricorns. We loved big hair, makeup and music. ‘I have always loved Ashley, Wynonna and Naomi. They’ve always been like sisters to me.’ Ashley Judd (CL) accepts induction on behalf of Naomi Judd with Ricky Skaggs(L), inductee Wynonna Judd and CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame
Dolly added, ‘Congratulations Wynonna for you and your mom being inducted into the Hall of Fame yesterday.
‘I am so sorry I couldn’t be there but I can hear Naomi saying, “Oh well, a day late and a Dolly short. Congratulations and condolences are both in order.”‘
She concluded: ‘Just know that I will always love you.’
Struggling to hold back the tears while accepting the honour on behalf of their mom in Nashville, Tennessee, Ashley said: ‘I’m sorry that she couldn’t hang on until today.’
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Doll in 1974: The star was seen with her guitar when she was just starting out
Wynonna vowed: ‘Though my heart is broken I will continue to sing.’
The Have Mercy singer’s passing was confirmed by the siblings in a statement, which read: ‘Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness.
‘We are shattered.’
The sisters did not elaborate on the exact cause of their mother’s death but said they are ‘navigating profound grief.’
They continued: ‘We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory.’
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Dolly changed her mind: The crooner said that she would want to join the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
