Naomi Judd’s husband, Larry Strickland, didn’t know how badly the iconic singer was deeply struggling. Looking back, Strickland wishes he’d been “more compassionate” with his wife of 33 years.
Naomi died by suicide on April 30 after battling anxiety and depression for years. The 76-year-old was getting ready to embark on the Judds Final Tour with daughter Wynonna before her death.
Strickland, 76, became visibly emotional.
“More understanding, and more kind, and loving, and holding her and being with her rather than just constantly pushing her and pushing her. But I had no idea that she was at the point that she was.”
Strickland, who hopes to help “remove the stigma” surrounding mental health, said he’s learned recently he’s “extremely fragile, a lot more than I ever knew I was.”
Strickland promoted the ACM series in an accompanying interview . He called the months leading up to his late wife’s death “a very chaotic, hectic, hectic time.”
Strickland said that for the past 13 years, he was with Naomi “24/7.”
Strickland said he’s leaning on both of his stepdaughter’s for support.
