Wynonna Judd is opening up about her complicated relationship with younger sister Ashley, revealing that the two are currently “taking a break” despite years of efforts to reconnect. In a recent interview with People, the 62-year-old country singer explained that they are not as close as she would like, but insisted there is no single argument behind their distance. The sisters, now 62 and 58, have experienced a complicated family history dating back to childhood, when Wynonna often took on household responsibilities while their mother, Naomi Judd, worked to support the family. Wynonna has described herself as Ashley’s “sister mommy,” explaining that she cooked, drove, and helped raise her younger sibling. Their relationship appeared to grow stronger after Naomi died in April 2022, when the sisters attended the Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony together just one day later. Although they supported each other through grief, their different lives and ways of coping continued to shape their bond.
Wynonna previously denied rumors that she and Ashley were fighting over their mother’s estate, saying Naomi’s death had brought them closer in important ways. However, the sisters have also acknowledged that their careers and separate paths created years of distance. Ashley pursued acting, while Wynonna built a successful career in country music alongside Naomi. In a 2025 interview, Wynonna explained that fame had pulled them away from home and each other, adding that they rarely communicated or spent time together. Now, she says Ashley travels frequently, while she focuses on her own life and work. “She’s doing her thing, and I’m doing mine,” Wynonna explained, emphasizing that nothing specific had caused their latest separation. Despite the distance, the singer remains hopeful about the future of their relationship. When asked whether she believes they will reconnect, Wynonna gave a clear answer: “Absolutely.” Her response suggests that, despite years of complicated history, she has not given up on the possibility of rebuilding a closer bond with her sister.