Wynonna Judd is holding on to hope that she will one day be on better terms with her estranged daughter, Grace Kelley.
Despite years of family tension, addiction struggles, and painful separation, the country singer has revealed plans to visit Kelley in prison, where she is serving a 15-month sentence in Virginia.
Although their relationship remains strained, Judd’s latest confession suggests she has not given up on rebuilding their bond.
Wynonna Judd Says She Will ‘Die Hoping’ For Reconciliation With Her Daughter
During an appearance on Hoda Kotb’s “Making Space” podcast, Judd said she believes reconciliation is possible and is willing to make herself available to her daughter.
She revealed that she plans to visit Kelley in prison after receiving advice from her life coach about remaining available to loved ones while maintaining personal boundaries.
“If she’s in prison, go see her. If she wants to see you, show up to the best of your ability, as long as you’re safe,” Judd recalled being told. “But ‘be available.’ And I’m available.”
The singer also made it clear that she is prepared to keep desiring a reconciliation, even if it takes years. “I’m going to be one of those [people] that will die hoping,” she said.
Judd added that she intends to visit Kelley “at some point” and wants to be as present as possible when that moment arrives.
The “Girls Night Out” singer acknowledged that she misses her daughter deeply and remains devastated by their separation. However, she also recognizes that Kelley must make her own decisions and work through her challenges.
Wynonna Judd’s Estrangement From Her Daughter Deepened Amid Pregnancy And Jail Time
The singer’s plans for reconciliation come after a particularly painful period in her relationship with Kelley.
Kelley, 30, is serving her sentence at Rockingham County Jail in Harrisonburg, Virginia, after pleading guilty to a driving-related charge. Judd and her husband, Cactus Moser, have custody of Kelley’s older daughter, Kaliyah.
According to The Blast, Kelley, however, became pregnant with her second child while serving her sentence. Court filings also revealed that Kelley’s request for temporary release from jail to give birth was denied. She had sought a furlough ahead of her expected delivery date, but the court rejected the request.
The documents reportedly described Kelley as having no contact with her biological family in Tennessee, further highlighting the distance between mother and daughter.
Wynonna Judd Admits She Cannot Save Her Daughter From Addiction
Judd has also spoken candidly about the emotional toll of trying to help Kelley through her struggles with substance use. The singer reflected on how years of worrying about her daughter affected her own life.
“I became so consumed with worrying about Grace – where she was, if she was safe, if she was alive – that I lost myself,” Judd said, per The Blast.
She explained that her concern became so overwhelming that she often struggled emotionally whenever she had to leave home for work.
Eventually, Judd said she had to accept that she could not take responsibility for every decision her daughter made. “I had to learn I can’t save her,” the 62-year-old singer admitted.
The Country Singer Says Her Daughter Is Angry About Her Successful Career
Judd has also acknowledged that her career may have contributed to the difficulties in her relationship with Kelley.
The “No One Else on Earth” singer discussed the resentment she believes her daughter feels about the time her professional commitments took her away from home. Judd admitted that Kelley is angry with her over what she perceives as a lack of attention during her childhood.
“And Grace is really mad at me right now,” she revealed. “Because I had a career, and I was busy, and she didn’t have enough of me in the beginning.”
Wynonna Judd Opens Up About Cutting Off Financial Support For Her Daughter
The country singer has also discussed funding numerous rehabilitation programs and special schools before realizing that her financial help was actually enabling Kelley’s addiction.
She explained that stepping back was the hardest choice of her life, but it became necessary to protect herself and her family.
“I had to let go and that means no more enabling, and it about killed me ‘cause when your kid calls and says, ‘I’m hungry,’ what do you do?” she revealed.
