Who is Michael Ciminella?
Michael Ciminella, born in 1945 in Ashland, Kentucky, United States, is a renowned figure with a number of accomplishments and an equal number of controversies and rumors. As of 2023, he is 78 years old and currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky. Ciminella’s early and secondary education unfolded in Kentucky, followed by earning a business degree from Transylvania University and an MBA from UCLA. Later, he started his career as a marketing consultant while simultaneously laying the foundation for a business venture.
Though Michael was a successful entrepreneur, he still found popularity post getting married to his first wife, the late country music sensation Naomi Judd. Later, they had a daughter, Ashley Judd. Additionally, Michael played a stepfather role to Wynonna Judd, Naomi’s daughter from a previous relationship with Charles Jordon. This relationship lasted 8 years, after which he married Mollie Wells Whitelaw, marking a significant chapter in his life. Ciminella also encountered some controversial episodes in his life. He was accused of involvement in drug-related activities, violence, and molestation.
Controversies of Michael Ciminella
Drug Conviction
Ciminella witnessed various episodes of controversies and rumors. In 1989, the super-star husband was accused of involvement in drug-related activities, as he was found possessing and distributing cocaine. He was proven guilty in the case and was sentenced to 2 years in jail. Later, in 1991, he was again arrested on the charges of possessing methamphetamine with intent to sell and consume the drug. Opting for a guilty plea, he was sentenced to another 3 years in jail.
Family Disputes
The biggest controversy of Michael Ciminella’s life was in the area of his relationship. Post he ended his marriage with his ex-wife Naomi Judd, he was convicted in a case of assault filed by his then-girlfriend. He was again sent to jail for 8 years. Later his step-daughter Wynonna Judd filed a lawsuit against him on September 16, 2011. Judd’s claim is that Ciminella owes her over $200,000 for an unpaid property mortgage dating back to 1994 in Louisville, KY. Ciminella’s lawyer, Jeffrey Thompson, responded by asserting that the money was given as a gift, not a loan. The suit is still being studied. Later in 2016, Ciminella filed a defamation suit against Naomi and Wynonna Judd, which he lost.
Paternity Controversy
Michael Ciminella alleges that his late singer wife Naomi Judd misled him into marriage with False Assertion of Wynonna’s Paternity
Michael Ciminella alleged that his first wife, Naomi Judd, had deceived him into marriage, claiming the child she was pregnant with at the time was his. Wynonna Judd, Naomi’s elder daughter, was fathered by Charles Jordan, her former high-school lover. The truth came to light when Terry Steele, Naomi’s former lover, revealed the real paternity. Later Charles Jordon also confirmed fatherhood. Ciminella stated that his ex-wife did so, as his family had more financial resources as compared to Jordan’s. Naomi’s publicist confirmed that Wynonna’s biological father was indeed Charles Jordan. Post which, the dynamics within the family were altered forever. It created a drift between Michael and his daughter.
Where is Michael Ciminella in the present day?
Michael currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife, Mollie Wells Whitelaw. Michael shares a special father-daughter connection with his daughter, Ashley. Ashley’s Instagram often showcases this bond, where she occasionally shares photos of her father. In a touching Instagram post from 2021, the actress expressed her gratitude to her father for supporting her during a challenging time. She acknowledged his presence and support when she faced an injury while hiking in the jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
