Naomi Judd

Naomi Judd's meteoric rise to becoming a country music superstar and American icon – from her humble beginnings as a single mom in a small Kentucky town – is an inspiring story of overcoming the odds through optimism and hard work. Described as the "star next door" for her extraordinary talents and tell-it-like-it-is candor, Judd provides an authentic voice to communicate complicated issues ranging from health and wellness, aging, and parenting to the power of the mind-body-spirit connection.

Judd gained fame as half of the mother-daughter duo The Judds. Reaching unprecedented success throughout the '80s and '90s, The Judds sold 20 million records, scored 15 #1 hits and received over 60 industry awards. Judd was stricken with hepatitis C at the peak of the band's career, which she contracted from an infected needle while working as a registered nurse. Her illness cut short her musical career and forced her into retirement in 1991.

Today, Judd is a hepatitis C survivor and the first national spokesperson for the American Liver Foundation. She uses her fame, experience as a former nurse, and passion for people to educate audiences about the scientific link between mind, body, and spirit in the healing process. Judd advocates an integrative holistic approach to medicine along with the latest in modern technology. She helps to bridge the conversation between academia, medical communities, and the everyday person about health- and family-related issues.

An accomplished author, her self-penned bestseller, Naomi's Breakthrough Guide, 20 Choices to Transform Your Life, remained on The New York Times Bestseller List for over eight weeks. Her most recent book, Naomi's Guide to Aging Gratefully, provides a message of empowerment to the millions of Baby Boomers in this country and quickly became a bestseller as well.

Judd hosted Naomi's New Morning, a weekly talk show on the Hallmark Channel that sought to give people the tools they needed to build better relationships and live stronger lives. She also served as spokesperson for Partners Against Pain, Post Cereal's "Heart Health" campaign, Prilosec, and AARP. Coming full circle to where we first discovered this unique, captivating personality, she also helped launch CMT's reality competition hit Can You Duet? as a talent judge. Next up, Judd will appear with her daughter Wynonna in the new television reality series The Judds, premiering in January 2011 on Oprah's new O.W.N. network. The show will follow Naomi and Wynonna as they prepare for their first tour in ten years.

Judd's humanitarian efforts include involvement with River Cities Harvest, the Saint Louis University Liver Center, M.A.D.D., Parents Television Council, Make-A-Difference Day, Women's World Peace Initiative, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Judd also created the July 4th Judd's Annual Food Drive to benefit families of Appalachia.