Fri Aug 01 22:20:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Country Music Legend Jeannie Seely Passes Away at 85**
**NASHVILLE, TN (August 1, 2025)** – Grand Ole Opry icon and country music hall of famer, Jeannie Seely, passed away peacefully at 5:00 PM CT today at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. She was 85 years old. The cause of death was complications from an intestinal infection.
Seely had been battling health issues since last fall, exacerbated by the passing of her husband, Gene Ward, in December. She underwent multiple surgeries this spring but remained a fixture in the country music community.
Known as “Miss Country Soul” for her soulful vocals, Seely leaves behind a legacy as one of the most influential and groundbreaking women in country music. She made a record-breaking 5,397 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry stage as of her last show on February 22nd, more than any other artist in the Opry’s 100 year history. Seely was the first Pennsylvania native to become an Opry member, and later became the first female to regularly host Opry segments. Widely recognized for changing the image of female country performers, Seely became the first person to wear a miniskirt on the Opry stage.
Born on July 6, 1940, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, Seely’s passion for music began at a young age, tuning into the Grand Ole Opry on the radio. She officially began her career at age 11, when she sang for a Saturday morning radio show, and continued to perform throughout her high school years. Her dedication and talent led her to Los Angeles, where she worked in the music industry and ultimately signed with Monument Records in Nashville. Her signature hit, “Don’t Touch Me,” earned her a Grammy Award, solidifying her place in country music history.
Seely’s songwriting talent was revered in country music. Her songs have been recorded by members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 2018, Seely was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame, which represents all genres of music. She received numerous accolades throughout her career, including an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Lincoln Memorial University in 2019 and the CMA’s prestigious Joe Talbot Award in 2023. Her recent single, “Suffertime” was accompanied by a music video and short documentary that set a new record for Seely as the vocalist with the longest timespan of 60 years between recording sessions.
Seely remained an active figure in the music industry until her passing, hosting her weekly “Sundays with Seely” show on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse. Until the time of her death, Seely proudly served as the producer for the bluegrass group Cutter & Cash and The Kentucky Gras,s and she was planning to produce their next recording session.
Seely is survived by numerous friends, family members, and her special cat, Corrie. A memorial service will be announced in the coming days. Tomorrow night’s Grand Ole Opry will be dedicated to Seely.
First Piper 