Rory Feek Announces His 12-Year-Old Daughter Is Home from the Hospital
Country singer Rory Feek announced that his 12-year-old daughter Indiana has been discharged from the hospital eight days after facing complications from open heart surgery.
“Indy’s doing amazing and looking and feeling better than ever,” Rory, 61, shared in a Substack blog on Monday, July 20. “She’s pretty much completely back to her old self. And while she’s excited about returning to her big girl bedroom, for the next few nights, Mama’s not taking any risks.”
He went on to clarify, “She’s sleeping in a bed at the foot of ours.”
The musician first announced on June 22 that he and his wife Rebecca Feek were preparing Indiana for surgery to correct a hole in her heart. Later in July, she was readmitted when fluid accumulated around her heart. (Indy has Down syndrome, which can be associated with heart problems, according to the National Down Syndrome Society.)
“We’ve known for the past few months that this was coming. This is part of why we’re in Texas,” Rory stated about Indiana’s surgery in June. “Throughout February and March, we visited various children’s hospitals in the state and ultimately chose Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin. It’s a remarkable facility with an excellent staff, and Dr. Frasier, who’s performing the surgery, is recognized as one of the top pediatric cardiac surgeons in the world.”
He added, “[We’re] getting her ready for what will be very challenging for her. It’s tough for all of us, especially her Papa, to witness her enduring such difficulty and pain. However, I believe that once it’s over, it will enhance her quality of life.”
Rory provided a positive update on Monday, announcing that Indy was officially released from the hospital eight days after her complications arose. (Rory welcomed Indy with his late wife and musical partner, Joey Feek. He married his third wife, Rebecca, in 2024.)
“When we arrived back home to the little farmhouse we’ve been renting, while Rebecca and I unpacked (thankfully, some wonderful folks showed up and tidied the house since we had left in such a hurry last Thursday morning), Indy and her friends enjoyed reading more of the thoughtful cards and letters and played games together in her bedroom,” he remarked. “Honestly, the incredible outpouring of love from everyone — some we know and most we may never meet — has been genuinely humbling for our entire family.”
Indy’s health challenges have reignited conflict within the Feek family. During her hospitalization, Rory’s older daughters, Heidi, 39, and Hopie, 38 — from his first marriage to Tamara Gilmer — criticized their father for publicly discussing Indy’s surgery.
Heidi and Hopie took legal action against their father in the fall of 2024, alleging that he had isolated them from contact with Indy due to a family dispute regarding her care. The case remains ongoing.
“Yesterday my father posted on Substack detailing how she essentially nearly died, according to him. While I’m relieved she’s doing better, I am upset that I had to learn about it on Instagram,” Heidi expressed in a vlog on July 12. “I am still troubled by the ongoing exploitation of my little sister on his monetized Substack account.”
She contended that Rory should refrain from sharing Indy’s “vulnerable moments” for social media engagement, critiquing him for promoting his song “Thank You Lord” at the end of his post.
“That’s not a moment for photographs, that’s not a moment for blogging, and it’s not a moment for self-promotion or showcasing your song,” she insisted. “It all makes me absolutely sick to my stomach.”
Her sister Hopie claimed that she and Heidi had not seen Indy in two years due to their disagreements with Rory.
“My beautiful 12-year-old sister was being life-flighted to Austin due to complications after her heart surgery…which somehow was the appropriate time to stop and take photos!” Hopie alleged. “I see Indy scared and hurt, surrounded by strangers while being photographed from a distance by a parent. In moments like these, I would never stop to think about taking photos for my blog and my fans!”
Rory’s spokesperson declined to comment on Heidi and Hopie’s social media posts when approached by Us.
