Jeannie Seely Death Rumors Debunked: The Truth About the Grand Ole Opry Legend’s Health

Country music is mourning the loss of Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jeannie Seely, who died on Friday, 1 August, at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee, from complications related to an intestinal infection, according to her publicist. She was 85. A trailblazer dubbed “Miss Country Soul” for the emotional power of her voice, Seely first rocketed to fame with the 1966 classic “Don’t Touch Me,” a No. 2 country hit that earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and permanently shifted the genre toward a more contemporary, soul-inflected sound. Over a seven-decade career she scored additional chart successes with “A Wanderin’ Man,” “I’ll Love You More (Than You’ll Need)” and the Jack Greene duet “Wish I Didn’t Have to Miss You.” The Pennsylvania native moved to Nashville in 1965 with just $50 to her name, joined Monument Records and—after one dazzling guest appearance—was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1967. Seely would go on to play the historic stage 5,397 times, more than any other artist in its 100-year history. She also broke Opry tradition by becoming the first woman to host a segment of the show in 1985, helping pave the way for future female headliners. Seely’s songwriting catalog was equally influential. She co-wrote “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)”—later immortalized on Black Mirror’s soundtrack—and penned tunes recorded by country greats Connie Smith, Dottie West and Norma Jean. Health setbacks mounted in recent years: multiple back surgeries, two emergency abdominal operations and an ICU stay with pneumonia in spring 2025. Still, the indefatigable performer released the single “Suffertime” in 2024 and continued her twice-weekly Opry appearances until shortly before her death. The country community’s tributes were immediate and heartfelt. “She was one of my dearest friends … one of the greatest singers Nashville ever had,” Dolly Parton wrote, adding that the pair “shared many laughs and tears together”. Current stars Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde echoed similar sentiments on social media, lauding Seely’s mentorship and generosity. Seely is survived by extended family, close friends and her beloved cat, Corrie. She was pre-deceased by her husband, entertainment attorney Gene Ward, who died of cancer in December 2024, and by her three siblings. The Grand Ole Opry announced that its 2 August show will be dedicated to Seely’s memory, ensuring the circle remains unbroken for the woman who once said, “The Opry isn’t just a place I work—it’s my way of life.”