Michael Ciminella is an American businessman, marketing professional, and sports television production worker. He is best known as the father of actress Ashley Judd and the former husband of country singer Naomi Judd.
Michael married Naomi in 1964 and helped raise her daughter Wynonna Judd before they had Ashley together in 1968. The marriage ended in 1972. Michael later married Mollie Wells Whitelaw and has lived a mostly private life in Kentucky.
Michael Charles Ciminella’s Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael Charles Ciminella |
| Birth Year | 1945 |
| Exact Birthday | Not publicly confirmed |
| Birthplace | Ashland, Kentucky, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Mother | Mary Bernadine Dalton |
| Father | Michael Lawrence Ciminella |
| Education | Fork Union Military Academy, Transylvania University |
| Further Education | MBA from UCLA, according to reports |
| Profession | Businessman, marketing professional, sports TV production worker |
| Former Wife | Naomi Judd |
| Marriage to Naomi | 1964–1972 |
| Current Wife | Mollie Wells Whitelaw |
| Second Marriage | November 8, 2010 |
| Biological Daughter | Ashley Judd |
| Daughter He Helped Raise | Wynonna Judd |
| Reported Residence | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Net Worth | Not reliably known |
Who Is Michael Ciminella?
Michael Charles Ciminella became publicly known through his connection to the Judd family.
He was Naomi Judd’s first husband and is the biological father of Ashley Judd. He also helped raise Wynonna Judd, although Wynonna’s biological father was Charles Jordan.
Michael did not build a career in music or acting. His professional background has instead included business, marketing, and sports television production.
Michael Ciminella’s Age and Early Life
Michael was reportedly born in 1945 in Ashland, Kentucky.
His exact month and day of birth have not been reliably confirmed. This means his exact age cannot be stated without qualification.
Michael’s mother is identified as Mary Bernadine Dalton, although some sources list her name as Bernadine Mary Dalton. His father was Michael Lawrence Ciminella.
Little reliable information is available about Michael’s siblings or childhood.
Michael Ciminella’s Father
Michael’s father, Michael Lawrence Ciminella, was involved in business.
Sources disagree about the history of Ashland Aluminum Co. One report says Michael’s father founded the company in the 1960s, while another credits Michael himself with founding it.
Because of this conflict, it is not clear from the available information who founded the company.
Michael Ciminella’s Education
Michael reportedly attended Fork Union Military Academy for his high school education.
He later studied business at Transylvania University. Reports state that he graduated in 1967.
Michael is also reported to have earned an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
His education gave him a background that matched his later work in business and marketing.
Michael Ciminella’s Career
Michael has been described as a businessman, marketing consultant, media producer, and sports television production professional.
One report says he worked in marketing for the horse racing industry. Another says he worked in the marketing department of an aerospace subcontractor.
These roles may represent different periods of his career.
He later became involved in remote sports television production.
His Work in Sports Television
Michael reportedly worked as a freelance remote sports production professional for several major television networks.
Networks linked to his work include:
- ESPN
- CBS
- NBC Sports
- ABC
According to information attributed to his Facebook profile, his work included coverage of major sporting events such as the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, Kentucky Derby, and World Series.
More recent reports describe him as retired or semi-retired. One source says he has continued to do occasional work with ESPN.
Michael Ciminella and Naomi Judd
Michael knew Naomi Judd before she became famous.
Naomi was born Diana Ellen Judd and later became known professionally as Naomi Judd. Some reports describe Michael and Naomi as former classmates.
They reportedly began dating in 1963.
The couple married in January 1964, shortly before Naomi turned 18.
At the time, Naomi was already pregnant with her first daughter, Wynonna.
Michael Helped Raise Wynonna Judd
Wynonna Judd was born in May 1964 and was originally named Christina Claire Ciminella.
Michael acted as her father during her childhood. Wynonna spent years believing that Michael was her biological father.
Her biological father was actually Charles Jordan, Naomi’s former boyfriend.
Wynonna learned the truth as an adult. Reports say this happened in the early 1990s, with one account stating that she was 30 years old when she learned about her biological father.
Wynonna reportedly never met Charles Jordan before his death in 2000.
Michael and Naomi Moved to Los Angeles
Michael and Naomi reportedly moved to Los Angeles in 1968.
Wynonna moved with them.
That same year, Michael and Naomi welcomed their biological daughter, Ashley Judd.
Michael Ciminella Is Ashley Judd’s Father
Michael is the biological father of actress and activist Ashley Judd.
Ashley was born Ashley Tyler Ciminella on April 19, 1968.
One supplied source incorrectly lists 1967 as her birth year, but April 19, 1968, is the more consistently reported date.
Ashley later used the surname Judd professionally and became known through acting, humanitarian work, and political activism.
Who Is Ashley Judd?
Ashley Judd is an American actress, activist, and humanitarian.
Unlike her mother Naomi and half-sister Wynonna, Ashley did not pursue a career primarily in country music. She became known through acting and later became active in humanitarian and social causes.
Michael and Ashley have maintained a close relationship into her adulthood.
Ashley has spoken publicly about her father’s support and has also described him as sharing some of her views on social issues.
Michael Supported Ashley After Her 2021 Accident
Michael supported Ashley during a serious medical emergency in 2021.
Ashley suffered a major leg injury while in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She later traveled to South Africa for medical treatment.
Michael flew to South Africa to be with his daughter during her hospitalization.
Ashley publicly described her father as an important source of support while she dealt with doctors, treatment, pain, and her return to the United States.
They later made the long journey back to America together.
Michael Ciminella and Naomi Judd’s Divorce
Michael and Naomi divorced in 1972 after about eight years of marriage.
Naomi later attended nursing school and eventually entered the country music industry with Wynonna.
Naomi and Wynonna formed The Judds, which became a successful country music duo.
Michael largely remained outside the entertainment spotlight after the divorce.
Who Was Naomi Judd?
Naomi Judd was an American country singer, songwriter, and actress.
She became best known as one half of The Judds alongside her daughter Wynonna.
Naomi later married Larry Strickland in 1989.
She died on April 30, 2022, at age 76. Her family later spoke publicly about her long mental health struggles.
Michael’s marriage to Naomi happened many years before she became widely known as a country music star.
Michael Ciminella’s Relationship With Wynonna Judd
Michael remained an important father figure in Wynonna’s early life despite not being her biological father.
Their relationship later included a financial dispute.
In 2012, Wynonna reportedly filed a lawsuit against Michael involving money connected to a property.
Wynonna Judd’s 2012 Lawsuit Against Michael
Reports said the dispute involved about $200,000.
Wynonna reportedly claimed that Michael borrowed money for a property purchase and signed a promissory note. Her claim said the principal, interest, and other fees had not been paid.
Michael’s legal representatives reportedly argued that the property or money had been intended as a gift and disputed Wynonna’s claim.
The information collected does not clearly establish the final outcome of the case.
Michael Ciminella’s Marriage to Mollie Whitelaw
Michael later married Mollie Wells Whitelaw.
Their reported wedding date is November 8, 2010.
Some older articles said it was unclear whether Michael had remarried after Naomi. However, newer reports identify Mollie as his wife and include information about their life together.
The couple has reportedly lived in Louisville, Kentucky.
Who Is Mollie Wells Whitelaw?
Mollie Whitelaw is reported to be from Louisville, Kentucky.
She studied at Converse University and later attended the University of Louisville.
Reports connect her studies with art history, fine and studio arts, secondary education, and teaching.
She has also been described as a management professional working with a nonprofit organization in Kentucky.
Mollie and Michael have kept much of their marriage outside the public spotlight.
Where Is Michael Ciminella Now?
More recent reports say Michael is alive and lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with Mollie.
He is described as retired or semi-retired.
Although he has connections to several famous members of the Judd family, he has generally maintained a quieter public life.
Michael Ciminella’s Social Media
Reports refer to a Facebook account under Michael Ciminella’s name.
Posts attributed to the account include information about his family, travels, social issues, sports production work, and animals.
The account has also been used as a source for some details about his professional background.
His Interest in Animals
Michael is reportedly interested in animals, especially birds.
One report says he has a pet cat named Cleo.
He has also posted about birds around his Kentucky home, including a northern mockingbird that visited his property.
How Many Children Does Michael Ciminella Have?
Michael has one confirmed biological child, Ashley Judd.
He also helped raise Wynonna Judd and served as her father during her childhood.
Wynonna’s biological father was Charles Jordan.
For this reason, some online profiles describe Michael as having two daughters, while biologically only Ashley is his child.
Michael Ciminella’s Net Worth
Michael Ciminella’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
One online source estimated it at between $500,000 and $1 million, but no reliable financial evidence was provided for that figure.
His actual wealth, assets, income, and investments have not been publicly established.
Michael Ciminella’s Private Life
Michael has spent much of his life outside celebrity media.
Most public information about him concerns his marriage to Naomi Judd, his relationship with Ashley, his role in Wynonna’s childhood, and his work in marketing and sports television.
Information about his siblings and other parts of his extended family remains limited.
Facts About Michael Ciminella
- His full name is Michael Charles Ciminella.
- He was reportedly born in 1945.
- He is from Ashland, Kentucky.
- His parents are reported as Michael Lawrence Ciminella and Mary Bernadine Dalton.
- He attended Fork Union Military Academy.
- He studied business at Transylvania University.
- He reportedly earned an MBA from UCLA.
- His career has included business, marketing, and sports television production.
- He has been linked professionally to ESPN, CBS, NBC Sports, and ABC.
- He married Naomi Judd in January 1964.
- He helped raise Wynonna Judd, although Charles Jordan was her biological father.
- Michael and Naomi’s biological daughter is Ashley Judd.
- Ashley was born on April 19, 1968.
- Michael and Naomi divorced in 1972.
- He supported Ashley following her serious accident in Africa in 2021.
- He married Mollie Wells Whitelaw on November 8, 2010.
- He is reported to live in Louisville, Kentucky.
- He is described as retired or semi-retired.
- He reportedly has a cat named Cleo and an interest in birds
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