Wynonna Ellen Judd, born Christina Claire Ciminella, boasts a $12 million net worth in 2025, built from her legendary music career as half of The Judds duo and as a powerhouse solo country artist. The 61-year-old singer’s wealth includes earnings from platinum-selling albums, concert residencies, television appearances, and music royalties from 19 number-one singles throughout her decorated career.
| Personal Information | Details |
| Full Name | Wynonna Ellen Judd (born Christina Claire Ciminella) |
| Date of Birth | May 30, 1964 |
| Place of Birth | Ashland, Kentucky, USA |
| Age | 61 years old (as of 2025) |
| Profession | Country Music Singer, Songwriter |
| Years Active | 1983 – Present |
| Net Worth | $12 Million (2025) |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Mother | Naomi Judd (deceased 2022) |
| Half-Sister | Ashley Judd (actress) |
| Children | Elijah Judd, Grace Pauline Kelley |
| Current Spouse | Scott “Cactus” Moser (married 2012) |
What Is Wynonna Judd’s Net Worth?
Wynonna Judd has an estimated net worth of $12 million as of 2025. This impressive fortune reflects her decades-long career in country music. Her wealth comes from her work as part of The Judds and her successful solo career, which includes selling over 20 million records worldwide and winning five Grammy Awards.
The country music icon built her fortune through multiple revenue streams. Her primary income source has been music sales and performances. Among her famous family members, Wynonna has less wealth than her sister Ashley Judd, who has approximately $14 million, and her late mother Naomi Judd, who had about $25 million.
Early Life
Wynonna was born Christina Claire Ciminella on May 30, 1964, in Ashland, Kentucky. Her mother, Naomi, was just 18 years old and unmarried when Wynonna was born, following a relationship with Charles Jordan who abandoned them. To provide stability, Naomi married Michael Ciminella, and Wynonna took his last name.
The family’s early years were marked by constant relocation and financial struggles. They moved to Los Angeles in 1968, where Naomi gave birth to Wynonna’s half-sister Ashley, but the marriage ended in divorce by 1972. After the divorce, Naomi enrolled in nursing school in Berea, Kentucky, and moved with the girls to the tiny community of Morrill.
Life in Kentucky was difficult but formative for young Wynonna. The family lived in poverty, with Wynonna later recalling, “If we didn’t make it or grow it, we didn’t have it.” During this time, Wynonna was inspired by the country music her mother played and learned to play guitar after receiving one as a Christmas gift.
The Judds: Rise to Country Music Stardom
In 1982, their breakthrough came through a chance encounter with Nashville producer Brent Maher, whose teenage daughter was Wynonna’s schoolmate. Following a live audition at RCA in front of studio head Joe Galante and producer Tony Brown, they were offered a contract within two hours. Wynonna was just 18 years old at the time.
The Judds signed to RCA Records in 1983 and released six studio albums between then and 1991. Their success was immediate and unprecedented. Their first single, “Had a Dream (For the Heart),” reached No. 17 on the Billboard country chart. Their next single, “Mama He’s Crazy,” became their first No. 1 song and won them their first Grammy Award in 1984.
Major Achievements and Awards
The Judds won five Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and nine Country Music Association awards. The Academy of Country Music named them Top Vocal Duo for seven consecutive years. In 1986, The Judds received their first of three nominations for CMA Entertainer of the Year, making 22-year-old Wynonna the youngest person ever nominated for that honor—a distinction she held for over 20 years.
Their hit songs became country music classics, including:
- “Why Not Me” – Won Grammy and became CMA Single of the Year in 1985
- “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Ole Days)”
- “Have Mercy”
- “Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain”
- “Love Can Build a Bridge” – Their signature song and final Grammy winner
What Happened to The Judds?
In October 1990, Naomi announced her retirement from performing due to a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C. This diagnosis, contracted during her nursing career from a needle stick, forced the duo to disband in 1991 following a farewell tour.
The farewell was emotional and historic. The Judds’ televised farewell concert in 1991 drew six million viewers and became one of the most popular pay-per-view events in TV history. Their final concert took place on December 4, 1991, marking the end of country music’s most influential duo at that time.
How Did Naomi Judd Die?
On April 30, 2022, Wynonna and her sister Ashley Judd announced that their mother Naomi had died by suicide at age 76. In a statement, Ashley wrote, “Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness.”
Ashley later revealed in an interview with Good Morning America that it was important to make a distinction “between our loved one and the disease.” Ashley disclosed that she was the one who found her mother and that she had “both grief and trauma from discovering her.”
Solo Career
Following The Judds’ disbandment in 1991, Wynonna embarked on what would become a highly successful solo career. She signed to MCA Records in association with Curb Records as a solo artist. On January 27, 1992, Wynonna performed solo on television for the first time at the American Music Awards.
Debut Album Success
Her self-titled debut album “Wynonna” was released in March 1992 and reached number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number four on the Billboard 200. The album sold over five million copies, a first in the country music industry.
The success was immediate and overwhelming. The album spawned three consecutive number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: “She Is His Only Need,” “I Saw the Light,” and “No One Else on Earth.” These three songs established Wynonna as a solo powerhouse in country music.
Continued Album Releases
Wynonna’s subsequent albums maintained her commercial success:
Tell Me Why (1993) – Certified platinum in the United States, topped the country albums chart, and reached number five on the Billboard 200. The album produced five more top ten country hits.
Revelations (1996) – Achieved platinum status and continued her string of successful releases.
The Other Side (1998) – Also achieved platinum status, proving her staying power in the industry.
New Day Dawning (2000) – Marked her move to Mercury Records and included a bonus disc with four new Judds songs.
What the World Needs Now Is Love (2003) – Released on Curb Records, reached number one on the Top Country Albums chart and number eight on the Billboard 200. The album included her voice work for the animated film Lilo & Stitch, recording “Burning Love.”
Sing: Chapter 1 (2009) – Her first studio album in six years, largely composed of cover songs and produced by the same team behind The Judds’ 1980s albums.
Wynonna & the Big Noise (2016) – Featured her new band and reached No. 14 on the Billboard U.S. country charts.
Recollections (2020) – Her latest extended play, released via Anti Records.
Chart Performance
During her solo career, Wynonna has released eight studio albums, a live album, a holiday album, and two compilation albums, with more than 20 singles. She has had 19 No. 1 singles total, including those with The Judds. Three of her solo albums achieved platinum status, cementing her legacy as one of country music’s most successful female artists.
Television Career
Beyond music, Wynonna has appeared on various television programs, showcasing her versatility as an entertainer.
Acting Appearances
Wynonna provided voice work for the animated series The Magic School Bus, voicing a character named Molly Cule. She made guest appearances on Blue’s Clues (1999), Touched by an Angel (2003), and Hope & Faith (2005). In 1998, during Touched by an Angel’s fifth season, she guest-starred as a singer whose son was dying of cystic fibrosis.
In May 2010, she appeared as herself on season 4, episode 6 of Lifetime’s Army Wives. She also appeared on the NBC sitcom Kath & Kim.
Reality Television and Hosting
In 2006, Wynonna hosted the fourth season of USA Network’s Nashville Star. In 2007, she starred in a special NBC television event titled “Wynonna: A Tribute on Ice,” which featured skating champions.
On April 10, 2011, the Judds debuted on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. The six-episode American reality-documentary television series followed the daily life of Wynonna and Naomi on tour and showed preparations for the tour, while the two worked to become closer.
Dancing with the Stars
Wynonna was a contestant in 2013 on season 16 of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with all-star champion Tony Dovolani. She became the second dancer eliminated from the competition on April 2, 2013, after a Samba performance.
In 2023, Wynonna served as Mega Mentor on The Voice Season 25, helping aspiring stars perfect their performances.
How Does Wynonna Judd Make Money?
Earnings and Income Sources
Music Sales and Royalties – Wynonna’s primary income comes from album sales, digital downloads, and streaming royalties. With The Judds, she sold more than 20 million records worldwide. Her solo albums have sold millions of copies, with three achieving platinum status.
Concert Tours and Live Performances – Touring remains a significant revenue source. Following her mother’s death in 2022, Wynonna honored the original tour dates she and Naomi had planned, supported by several female country artists. The tour was chronicled in the documentary “Wynonna Judd: Between Hell and Hallelujah,” released on April 26, 2023.
Television Appearances – Her various TV roles, hosting gigs, and reality show appearances have added to her income. While her fee for The Voice Season 25 hasn’t been disclosed, such high-profile appearances typically command substantial payments.
Endorsement Deals – In 2009, Wynonna was the spokesperson for weight loss program Alli for an undisclosed amount.
Book Sales – Wynonna published two New York Times bestsellers: her candid memoir “Coming Home to Myself” in 2005 and the novel “Restless Heart” in 2011.
Real Estate Holdings – Wynonna owns considerable amounts of land near Nashville. The Judd family farm spans approximately 1,000 acres, with Wynonna’s property located about six minutes from her late mother’s home.
Personal Life
Marriages and Relationships
Wynonna has been married three times throughout her life.
She met businessman Arch Kelley III in the early 1990s on a flight between Los Angeles and Nashville. Wynonna gave birth to her son Elijah in 1994. She married Arch Kelley on January 21, 1996, and their daughter Grace Pauline was born soon after. The couple divorced in 1998, citing irreconcilable differences.
Wynonna married D.R. Roach, her former bodyguard, on November 22, 2003, in Tennessee. On March 22, 2007, Roach was arrested for sexual assault of a child under the age of thirteen, and Judd filed for divorce five days later.
Who Are Wynonna Judd’s Children?
Wynonna has two biological children: son Elijah Judd, born in 1994, and daughter Grace Pauline Kelley, born in 1996. Both children were born from her relationship and marriage to Arch Kelley III.
Her son Elijah celebrated his 29th birthday in December 2023, while her daughter Grace turned 28 in June 2024. Wynonna is also a grandmother; she has shared photos of her granddaughter Kaliyah on social media.
Wynonna has spoken candidly about her relationship with her children, saying, “I’m no different than anyone else. I’ve got kids who have made great successful choices.” In June 2018, Grace was sentenced to eight years in prison for violating probation for possession, manufacturing, and distribution of methamphetamine. Grace was granted parole and released from the West Tennessee State Penitentiary six years early on November 8, 2019.
Despite challenges, Wynonna has remained a devoted mother. She told interviewer John Rich in 2020, “My daughter is the strongest Judd woman in our ‘herstory.'”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wynonna Judd’s real name?
Wynonna was born Christina Claire Ciminella and later took the stage name Wynonna Judd.
How old is Wynonna Judd?
Wynonna Judd was born on May 30, 1964, making her 61 years old as of 2025.
Is Wynonna Judd still performing?
Yes, Wynonna continues to tour and perform, honoring her mother’s legacy while maintaining her solo career.
How many Grammy Awards has Wynonna Judd won?
Wynonna has won five Grammy Awards as part of The Judds and has received additional nominations for her solo work.
What happened to Wynonna Judd’s daughter?
Grace Pauline Kelley served time in prison for drug-related offenses but was released early on parole in 2019.
Did Wynonna Judd ever marry?
Yes, Wynonna has been married three times: to Arch Kelley III (1996-1998), D.R. Roach (2003-2007), and Scott “Cactus” Moser (2012-present).
What is Wynonna Judd’s most famous song?
As part of The Judds, “Love Can Build a Bridge” is one of their most iconic songs. As a solo artist, “She Is His Only Need” was her breakthrough hit.
Conclusion
Wynonna Judd’s net worth of $12 million represents more than just financial success. It reflects a remarkable journey from poverty in rural Kentucky to becoming one of country music’s most respected and awarded artists. Her career spans over four decades, beginning with The Judds in the 1980s and continuing through a successful solo career that has produced platinum albums and chart-topping hits.
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