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Wynonna Judd Shares Shock, Final Goodbye Following Naomi Judd's Death

Wynonna Judd: "Was there anything I should have looked for or should I have known?' I didn't. That's why it's such a shock."

How does Wynonna feel after the unexpected passing of her mother, Naomi Judd, in April? Wynonna, who is getting ready to start what was supposed to be her final tour with her mother alone, sat down with CBS SUNDAY MORNING to share her grief, self-doubt and what it's like to be preparing for The Judds Final Tour alone.

Naomi had long battled depression and took her life on April 30, the day before The Judds were to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The ceremony went on as planned, and Wynonna and her sister Ashley Judd attended together.

During the interview, Wynonna said she did not realize her mother was at the end of her life with this bout of mental illness.

"I did not know that she was at the place she was at when she ended it because she had had episodes before, and she got better," Wynonna said. "And that's what I live in, is like, 'Was there anything I should have looked for or should I have known?' I didn't. That's why it's such a shock."

Judd was 76 years old when she died. Her daughters shared the news of her passing in a statement provided to the press.

"Today, we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness," the statement said. "We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory."

The Judds performed their hit "Love Can Build a Bridge" on the CMT Music Awards earlier this year. It was their first performance on an awards show in more than 20 years.

Throughout their storied and sometimes unpredictable career, The Judds celebrated 14 No. 1 songs, and every single of theirs became a Top 10 hit on Billboard's country charts. Their hit songs include "Mama He's Crazy," "Why Not Me," "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Ole Days)," and "Have Mercy." The duo sold more than 20 million albums and is the first all-female group to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

"I got the call, and I went over, and I saw her, and that was that," Wynonna said of hearing of her mother's death. "I said goodbye to her in the hospital, and I closed her eyes, and I kissed her forehead, and that was that. And the next thing I know, I'm sitting here on the front porch, on the side porch … you know, and I'm just tryin' to figure out what's next."

Judd will launch the duo's final tour next week. Instead of sharing the stage with her mother, a host of country singers will join her to sing Judds' songs.

"I feel her nudging me," Wynonna said. "And sometimes, I laugh. And sometimes, I say, 'I really miss you. Why aren't you here so we can argue?'"

Wynonna's interview will air on CBS SUNDAY MORNING at 9:00-10:30 AM ET Sunday on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+.

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