Elijah Judd
Wynonna and Kelley celebrated the arrival of their first child, Elijah, on December 23, 1994. The name Elijah carries significant family history, as revealed by Wynonna in an October 2022 interview with PEOPLE. He was named after her “great, great, great grandfather,” a figure also mentioned in The Judds’ song “Guardian Angels.”
Notably, at the time of Elijah’s birth, Wynonna and Kelley were not yet married. In a 1996 interview on Entertainment Tonight, Wynonna addressed the term “unplanned pregnancy,” emphasizing her discomfort with the label. She expressed that, despite any societal perceptions, the arrival of Elijah felt inevitable and part of a larger plan, describing it as God’s way of guiding her towards a more grounded life.
In a 2007 interview with GRANDmagazine, Naomi, Wynonna’s mother and Elijah’s grandmother, praised Elijah’s sense of humor, noting his ability to be a standup comedian from a young age.
Elijah’s personal life also took a significant turn when he proposed to his girlfriend, Hailey Williams, in December 2017 after seven years together. Wynonna, proud of her son’s milestone, shared the joyous occasion on Instagram, capturing Elijah down on one knee and the engagement ring. The couple tied the knot on October 17, 2020.
On Elijah’s 26th birthday, Wynonna commemorated the occasion on Instagram with a heartfelt post, expressing pride in her firstborn and reflecting on his journey, including a photo from his wedding day.
Naomi, before her passing in April 2022 at the age of 76, cherished her relationship with Wynonna and her grandchildren. Despite Wynonna’s busy touring schedule, Naomi highlighted a family tradition of Thursday night dinners, where Wynonna and Elijah occasionally made appearances, emphasizing the joy of shared laughter, games, and abundant food.
