Jeannie Seely Shares Health Update After Undergoing Multiple Surgeries

Grand Ole Opry Legend Jeannie Seely Provides Health Update To Her Fans

Country music icon Jeannie Seely has shared a long-awaited health update after fans expressed concern about her well-being.

Seely, known for her classic songs such as “Don’t Touch Me” and “Wish I Didn’t Have to Miss You,” maintains a prominent presence in the country music community. The 84-year-old singer has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1967 and is a regular performer there.

In fact, Seely performs at the Opry so often that she holds the record for delivering the most performances in Opry history. She set that record in 2022 and continues adding to it, making it seem unlikely that anyone will ever surpass her feat.

Because Seely is such a fixture on the Opry stage, fans took notice when she stopped making regular appearances. Seely also took a break from her Sundays with Seely show on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse channel.

Then, on Wednesday (May 7), Seely shared an update to inform her fans about her health struggles. She’s undergone multiple surgeries in recent months and spent 11 days in the ICU.

“Over the past several weeks, I’ve received so many wonderful messages of love and concern about being missed on the Grand Ole Opry and on ‘Sundays with Seely’ on Willie’s Roadhouse,” she said in a statement quoted in a press release. “Thank you for those, and I assure you that I miss you just as much! Hopefully I can count on that support as I struggle through this recovery process from multiple back surgeries in March, as well as two emergency abdominal surgeries in April, followed by eleven days in the intensive care unit and a bout with pneumonia.”

Seely said rehab has been “pretty tough, but each day is looking brighter.” She added, “The unsinkable Seely is working her way back.”

Once she recovers, Seely plans to return to the Opry and Sundays with Seely on a regular basis. She also hopes to release some new music soon.

The News Comes After 2024 Was A Difficult Year For Seely

Unfortunately, 2024 was a challenging year for Seely and her family. In August, Seely was hospitalized in her home state of Pennsylvania after suffering from “acute diverticulitis and dehydration.”

Then, in December 2024, her husband, Gene Ward, passed away at the age of 92. He and Seely married in 2010, and she always spoke fondly of him on social media. In one Facebook post she shared when he was struggling with his health, she wrote:

“Gene Ward is one of the most amazing men I have ever known and I have been so blessed to be his wife.”

Seely returned to the Grand Ole Opry stage after her husband’s death. She kicked off the New Year with a series of performances at the Opry.

The Opry is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and things don’t feel the same without Seely. We’ll be praying for her quick and complete recovery so we can see her step back into “The Circle” again!