Jeannie Seely, the legendary country singer, has died at the age of 85.
She passed away on Friday, August 1, at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee, due to complications from an intestinal infection, her representative confirmed to PEOPLE.
Seely had been facing serious health issues throughout 2025. Earlier in the year, she underwent multiple back surgeries to repair her vertebrae, followed by two emergency abdominal surgeries. She also spent 11 days in the ICU and battled pneumonia.
Her death comes just months after she lost her husband, Eugene Ward, to cancer last December.
Jeannie Seely was a Grammy-winning country music singer, songwriter, and longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry. Born on July 6, 1940, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, she moved to Nashville in the 1960s to pursue a career in music. Her big break came in 1966 with the release of “Don’t Touch Me,” a hit that earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and became a defining song in her career.
Seely quickly became known for her emotional singing style, strong stage presence, and bold personality. She was one of the first women in country music to wear mini skirts on stage and speak openly about women’s roles in the industry. Over the decades, she recorded more than a dozen studio albums and charted over two dozen singles on the Billboard country charts. Some of her best-known songs include “Can I Sleep in Your Arms” and “It’s Only Love.”
In 1967, she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, making her one of the few women to be inducted during that era. She went on to perform on the Opry stage for over 50 years and was often referred to as “Miss Country Soul” for her blend of traditional country and heartfelt vocals. Beyond performing, she was also a talented songwriter, with songs recorded by artists like Merle Haggard, Dottie West, and Willie Nelson.
Seely’s career spanned more than six decades, and she remained active well into her 80s. She released her final album, An American Classic, in 2020 and continued to appear on the Grand Ole Opry stage until health issues slowed her down in 2025.
Jeannie Seely was a four-time CMA Award nominee and received the prestigious Joe Talbot Award in 2023 for her leadership and dedication to preserving the values and traditions of country music. Throughout her career, she released more than 15 studio albums.
