Taking to her social media account, the 'Jolene' hitmaker pays an emotional message to her late old friend, pointing out that she's 'so shocked' to hear about her 'close' friend's sudden passing.

• May 4, 2022

AceShowbiz - Dolly Parton was "so shocked" to hear her close friend and country music peer Naomi Judd had passed away. The "Jolene" hitmaker has paid a touching tribute to the late singer, who was the same age as the 76-year-old when she passed away in late April following a battle with her mental health.

The music legend said she and Naomi were "very similar" and loved the same things. She added that the late star and her daughters, Ashley Judd and Wynonna Judd, have been like sisters to her. In a statement on her Instagram page, she began, "I am so shocked to hear about Naomi's passing. Naomi and I were close."

"We were very similar. We were the same age and both Capricorns. We loved big hair, makeup and music," the country music icon continued. "I have always loved Ashley, Wynonna and Naomi. They've always been like sisters to me."

The "9 to 5" hitmaker went on to send her "congratulations" to Wynonna and Naomi after The Judds, the Grammy-winning mother-daughter duo they formed in the '80s, were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, May 1, just one day after Naomi's death.

"Congratulations Wynonna for you and your mom being inducted into the Hall of Fame yesterday," Dolly added. "I am so sorry I couldn't be there but I can hear Naomi saying 'Oh well, a day late and a Dolly short.' Congratulations and condolences are both in order." She wrapped up her post by noting, "Just know that I will always love you."

Struggling to hold back the tears while accepting the honor on behalf of their mom in Nashville, Tennessee, Ashley said. "I'm sorry that she couldn't hang on until today." Wynonna vowed, "Though my heart is broken I will continue to sing."

The "Have Mercy" singer's passing was confirmed by the siblings in a statement, which read, "Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness. We are shattered."

The sisters did not elaborate on the exact cause of their mother's death but said they are "navigating profound grief." They continued, "We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory."