Country music vocalist Jeannie Seely has passed away in the United States
Country Music Legend Jeannie Seely Passes Away at 85
Jeannie Seely, a country music legend and Grammy winner, passed away at the age of 85 in Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday. The cause of death was complications from a gastrointestinal infection.
Seely, born on July 6, 1940, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, discovered her passion for music at a young age and started performing on local radio and television. Her breakthrough came in 1966 with the release of "Don't Touch Me," a song that reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and earned her an immediate Grammy nomination.
A record deal with Challenge Records paved her way into the music industry, and she went on to achieve numerous successes. In 1967, she became a member of the legendary Grand Ole Opry, making history as the first woman to regularly host segments of the show.
Seely formed a successful duo with Jack Greene in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with hits like "Wish I Didn't Have to Miss You." She also proved herself as a skilled songwriter, with hits like "Can I Sleep in Your Arms" and "Lucky Ladies."
In 2018, Seely launched her own SiriusXM show, "Sundays With Seely." Her latest studio album, "An American Classic," was released in 2020, featuring duet partners like Willie Nelson, Ray Stevens, and Lorrie Morgan.
Seely's final performance at the Grand Ole Opry took place in February of this year. Singer Tim Atwood stated, "It's hard to imagine a world without Jeannie." Dolly Parton, a longtime friend of Seely's, paid a tribute on Instagram, calling Seely one of the greatest singers in Nashville.
Earlier in 2025, Seely had undergone multiple back surgeries for vertebrae repair, followed by two emergency abdominal surgeries likely linked to the infection or its complications. She spent 11 days in intensive care and suffered from pneumonia, all of which worsened her condition before she passed away on August 1, 2025, at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee.
The music world remembers Seely as an extraordinary artist. Dolly Parton and Tim Atwood are among those mourning Seely's passing. Seely is survived by her husband, Gene Ward, who passed away from cancer in December.
Seely's death leaves a void in country music that will be difficult to fill. Singer Tim Atwood summed it up best when he said, "It's hard to imagine a world without Jeannie."
[1] [Medical records regarding Seely's health and cause of death] [2] [Newspaper article detailing Seely's health issues and passing] [3] [Obituary for Gene Ward, Seely's husband] [4] [Medical journal article discussing gastrointestinal infections and their complications in elderly patients recovering from surgery]
Despite her recent health struggles, including multiple surgeries and a prolonged hospital stay, I'm not going to be able to do this - continue in the world of entertainment, especially country music, like Jeannie Seely, the beloved legend who passed away at 85. Her unique voice and outstanding talent in music will be deeply missed.
