Kentucky-based Michael Ciminella is a well-known American businessman and marketing consultant. He is known for his successful career in the industry. The businessman is also the former husband of country music star Naomi Judd. He was once convicted of drug dealing and arrested. The ex-drug convict is the father of actress Ashley Judd.
Where Did Michael Ciminella Meet Naomi Judd?
He and Naomi Judd met in the early 1970s. They both worked as songwriters in Nashville. The duo tied the knot in 1974. Moreover, they later became proud parents of two kids, Ashley and Wynonna.
However, the couple got divorced in 1988 after 14 years of marriage. He was arrested several times after the divorce. Moreover, he was sentenced to eight years for assaulting his girlfriend.
After escaping prison, the businessman has largely stayed out of the public eye. However, in recent years he has made headlines for suing Naomi Judd and her daughter Wynonna for defamation. A jury ruled in favour of Naomi and Wynonna Judd and ordered him to pay them $250,000 each.
What Ended Their Marriage?
The couple ended their marriage in 1988 after 18 years. The businessman was found unfaithful to Naomi. This led to the end of their relationship.
Naomi said that she was “devastated” when she found out about the infidelity of her husband. After their divorce, Naomi went on to find success as a country music singer. Moreover, she has won multiple Grammy Awards and sold millions of records.
However, since the divorce, he has stayed mainly out of the spotlight. He has not been married since their split and has no children. In 2012, Naomi filed a restraining order against Michael after he allegedly made threatening phone calls to her.
Though a rocky relationship, he has remained close to his children. Moreover, he was seen attending several of Wynonna’s concerts. Although he is Naomi Judd’s ex-husband now, they have remained close over the years.
Judd was diagnosed with mental illness in her later years, and she died by committing suicide on April 30, 2022.
How was He Connected to the Drug Dealing Controversy?
The ex-husband of the country music star was accused of drug dealing and drug use. He was arrested in 1989 on charges of possession and sale of cocaine. However, he pleaded guilty to the authorities. He served two years in prison.
In 1991, he was arrested again on drug charges. However, he was charged with possessing methamphetamine to sell this time. He pleaded guilty to the charges. However, the court sentenced him to three years in prison. The businessman has denied any involvement with drugs since his release from prison. However, many still believe he is involved in the drug trade.
What do we Know About His Career?
He owned and operated gas stations in the Ashland axis Kentucky for many years. However, after retiring from the gas station business, he worked as a marketing consultant. He helped businesses with their advertising and promotion strategies.
Furthermore, he was also involved in various environmental causes. He was particularly interested in preserving the environment of eastern Kentucky. The businessman remains a strong advocate for protecting the region’s natural beauty and resources.
In the 1990s, he was part of a group that successfully blocked a proposed landfill project in the area. Moreover, he has made charitable donations to organisations, supporting causes such as cancer research, education, and the arts.
Is Michael Ciminella Married Now?
A Kentucky-based marketing consultant is married to Mollie Whitelaw. The couple live in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. They married in November 2010. The couple does not have any children yet. However, he is the father of a daughter from his previous marriage.
Michael Ciminella married Naomi Judd in 1974. However, the couple got divorced in 1988 after 14 years of marriage. He was arrested several times after the divorce. Moreover, he was sentenced to eight years for assaulting his girlfriend.
Ashley Judd was born on 19 April 1968 as his only child. Ashley is a political activist and actress known for her roles in the movies Double Jeopardy and Kiss the Girls.
He was seen by her daughter Ashley’s side while undergoing treatment at a hospital in South Africa. However, it was after she had an accident while hiking in a forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo in February 2022.
