Jeannie Seely, the Grammy-winning country singer known as the “Queen of Country Soul”, died aged 85 on 1 August 2025 from an intestinal infection in Tennessee. The article recalls her importance as a long-serving Grand Ole Opry performer and a trailblazer who helped loosen its restrictive dress code for women, influencing the culture of country music.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1940, Seely began performing on local radio as a child before moving through California’s music scene to Nashville. Her 1966 hit “Don’t Touch Me” reached number two on Billboard’s country chart and won her a Grammy, while later collaborations with Jack Greene produced further hits. By February 2026, she had made 5,397 Opry appearances, more than any other performer in its history, and continued recording and hosting a SiriusXM classic-country programme into later life.