Dolly Parton has shared her heartache following the death of her "sister", country music legend Naomi Judd, who died on Saturday aged 76.
MORE: Carrie Underwood leads tributes to country legend Naomi Judd
Dolly took to Instagram to post a touching tribute to the late singer, writing: "I was 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.
WATCH: Dolly Parton makes heartfelt and urgent plea
"We loved big hair, makeup and music. I have always loved Ashley, Wynonna [Judd's daughters] and Naomi. They've always been like sisters to me."
Dolly then congratulated Naomi and her daughter Wynonna for The Judds' induction into the Country Music Hall Of Fame, adding: "I am sorry I couldn’t be there but I can hear Naomi saying now, 'Oh well, a day late and a Dolly short.'
RELATED: In memoriam: remembering famous faces we lost in 2022
"Congratulations and condolences are both in order. Just know that I will always love you."
© Photo: Getty ImagesDolly pictured with Naomi (R) and Wynonna Judd in 1987
Naomi's death was announced by her daughters Wynonna and Ashley, in a statement via The Associated Press. It read: "Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness.
"We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory."
Naomi's husband Larry Strickland issued a further statement that read: "Naomi Judd's family request privacy during this heartbreaking time. No additional information will be released at this time."
© Photo: Getty ImagesNaomi's last appearance was at the CMT Music Awards
Naomi performed at the CMT Awards last month with Wynonna, 57, with the mother-daughter duo making their first televised appearance as The Judds in over 20 years.
They sang their 1990 hit Love Will Build a Bridge accompanied by a choir of gospel singers, and at one point Wynonna was heard telling her mom: "This is really happening."
Country music stars including Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambertand Maren Morris also took to social media to pay their respects.
Read more HELLO! US stories here
Like this story? Sign up to our HELLO! Mail newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.
