Who is Elijah Judd?
Elijah Judd is carving out his own musical path, following in the footsteps of his mother and grandmother. Yet, the prominent fame of his mother, Wynonna Judd, and grandmother, Naomi Judd, often precedes him. Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, Elijah is a talented classical musician and singer-songwriter. However, delve a bit deeper into his story, and you’ll discover that he is also the first-born child of Wynonna Judd, and the grandson of Naomi Judd.
His mother, Wynonna Judd, is a widely recognized American singer, renowned for her decade-long contributions to the popularization of American country music. His grandmother, Naomi Judd, is an esteemed musician, singer-songwriter, and film actress. Together, Wynonna and Naomi formed an unparalleled duo known as The Judds, becoming one of the best-selling country music artists of all time.
Throughout the 1980s, The Judds skyrocketed to fame, amassing nine Country Music Association Awards and five Grammy Awards. However, in 1991, The Judds disbanded, and despite their remarkable legacy, they have remained quiet ever since.
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Profile Summary
| Birth Name | Elijah Judd Kelley |
| Birth City | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S |
| Birthday | December 23 |
| Date of birth | December 23, 1994 |
| Age | 28 years old |
| Parents | Wynonna Judd and Arch Kelley III |
| Grandparents | Naomi Judd, Charles Jordan, Arch Kelley Sr., and Pearl Potts |
| Sister | Grace Pauline Kelley |
| Aunt | Actress Ashley Judd |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Height/Weight | 5’9/64 kg |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Wife | Hailey Williams (m. October 17, 2020) |
| Profession | Musician |
| Education | Graduate |
| Net Worth | 500,000 – 1,000,000 |
Elijah Judd Biography, Family
Elijah Judd Kelley was born on December 23, 1994, in Nashville, Tennessee, in the United States of America. He is the first child of Wynonna Judd and Arch Kelley III. Unfortunately, his parents, Wynonna and Arch, divorced in 1998 when he was barely four, so he was raised by his mother and grandmother, Naomi Judd.
During Elijah’s birth, his mother was coping with asthma, necessitating a Cesarean section for his delivery. Naomi Judd later confided that this was one of the most harrowing experiences of her life, as she revealed in an interview with GrandMagazine.com.
Elijah’s childhood was filled with endearing interactions with his mother and grandmother. For instance, his early attempts to pronounce his grandmother’s name, “Naomi,” resulted in the affectionate moniker “Mawmaw.” Naomi often reminisces about Elijah’s affectionate nature as a young boy and his deep love for both his mother and grandmother. In one memorable Twitter post, she shared that Elijah once expressed a desire to become a policeman when he grew up, so he could battle “crim-animals.”
Unfortunately, Elijah’s grandmother would not live to see him fulfill his potential. After battling severe depression for years, Naomi shot herself, tragically ending her life at the age of 76. The heartbreaking event occurred at her home in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, on April 30, 2022.
Read also: Gone Too Soon: Remembering the Stars Whose Death Left Our Hearts Aching
Currently, Elijah is 28 years old and making progress in his musical career.
Elijah has a sister named Grace Pauline Kelley, born on June 21, 1996, and presently 26 years old. Grace, his only sibling, is serving an eight-year sentence since 2018 for violating her probation. The charges against her include the possession, manufacturing, and distribution of methamphetamines.
Additional family members related to Elijah include:
His paternal grandparents, Arch Kelley Sr. and Pearl Potts, as well as his paternal uncle, Lean Kelley, and aunt, Claudia Kelly.
On his mother’s side, his grandparents are Naomi Judd and Charles Jordan. His grand-uncle, Brian Judd, was born in 1948 but tragically passed away from leukemia in 1965 at the age of 17. Elijah’s maternal aunt is Ashley Judd.
His great-grandparents are Pauline Ruth “Polly” Judd (née Oliver) and Charles Glen Judd.
Elijah Judd Career
Elijah has established himself as a classical music artist, a trajectory that comes as little surprise given his musical upbringing under the guidance of Wynonna and Naomi Judd.
In 2006, Elijah lent his voice to his mother’s Country music album, “A Classic Christmas.” He provided backing vocals for this eleven-track album, marking his early contributions to the music industry.
While Naomi once shared that Elijah aspired to become a police officer in his youth, it seems that his fervor for music ultimately eclipsed his desire to combat crime. His immersion in music from an early age has clearly shaped his path, drawing him towards a career in the very industry that defined his family’s legacy.
Elijah Judd Marriage, Wife
Elijah Judd is married to his long-term girlfriend, Hailey Williams. He met Hailey in 2010 while attending a mutual friend’s wedding party and his mother was rooting for them to get married. Seven years after their first meeting, they got engaged. Excited mom, Judd’s mom, shared the news on her Instagram account on December 22, 2017, with the caption;
“My son Elijah proposed to his love of 7 years, Hailey, last night. I am one proud Mama! Merry Christmas indeed!!!”
Ten years since they first met, Elijah and his fiancée, Hailey, tied their wedding knot in a private wedding party held on their family farm in Tennessee on Saturday, October 17, 2020. Because of the kind of life he chose to lead, neither Elijah Judd nor his wife shared the news about their marriage. However, again, his excited mother, Wynonna, shared the news on Elijah’s 26th birthday with her Instagram followers.
In an Instagram post, she made on December 23, 2020, Wynonna shared a wedding picture of her and her son while celebrating his birthday with the caption;
Elijah & I on his wedding day, October 17, 2020. To my first born, who turns 26 today, I look at this picture & it’s hard to believe that you’re married! Happy Birthday Son… I am so very proud of you.”
Elijah Judd’s Parents’ Marriage
Elijah was born into the family of Arch Kelley III, a prosperous American businessman and entrepreneur, and Wynonna Judd, an acclaimed country music singer.
Arch and Wynonna, after dating for several years, tied the knot in 1995. Interestingly, they welcomed their first child, Elijah, a year prior to their nuptials in 1994. A year after their wedding, on June 21, 1996, their second child, Grace Pauline Kelley, was born.
However, the couple couldn’t surmount their marital problems and eventually divorced in 1998.
Nearly five years after the divorce, Wynonna remarried. On November 22, 2003, she tied the knot with her former bodyguard, D. R. Roach, in Tennessee. The union, however, was short-lived; Wynonna filed for divorce in 2007, following Roach’s arrest for sexual assault of a minor under the age of 13.
Wynonna later found love again and in 2012, she wed Michael Scott. Meanwhile, Arch Kelly III has remained single and out of the public eye.
What is Elijah Judd’s Net worth?
Elijah Judd’s net worth is estimated to be around $500,000, derived from his music sales as well as a significant family inheritance. Even if he were to step away from his music career, he would remain financially secure due to his family’s wealth.
His father’s net worth is approximately $2 million, while his mother’s is around $12 million. His late grandmother had a net worth of about $25 million at the time of her death.
Elijah, known for his modest demeanor, doesn’t flaunt his wealth and is devoted to caring for his family.
