Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      Investor Contact:     Media Contact:
                           Mark D. Boehmer       Jackie Kolek
                           VP & Treasurer        Integrated Corporate Relations
                          (336) 862-8705         (203) 682-8296


             SEALY INTRODUCES NORTH AMERICAN LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
             & EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS TO SUPPORT GLOBAL STRATEGIES
 - New Structure to Strengthen North American Growth & Operational Excellence -
                     - Larry Rogers to Lead New Division -
            - Jim Hirshorn Resigns To Pursue Leadership Opportunity
                         at PotBelly Sandwich Works -

ARCHDALE, NC, December 18, 2006 - Sealy Corporation (NYSE:ZZ), the largest
bedding manufacturer in the world, announced today that it has realigned its
organization in order to strengthen the Company's position and to drive
continued sales growth and long-term margin expansion in its new North
American Division. This division will be led by Lawrence "Larry" Rogers, who
has been appointed its President.

"Realigning North America as one market strengthens Sealy's competitive
advantage. This allows us to benefit from growing consumer demand, partner
with our North American retail customers, and deepen our supplier and
component relationships," said David J. McIlquham, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. "As North America becomes more of an integrated market,
this new structure will allow Sealy to better leverage its product development
capabilities, sales and distribution strengths and lean manufacturing
initiatives."

The markets that comprise the new North American business structure had sales
of $1.4 billion in fiscal 2005. Sealy expects that one-third of its growth
will be derived from sales of innerspring in the U.S., one-third from
specialty products, and one-third of its growth from outside the United
States.

In addition to promoting Rogers, who led Sealy's international bedding group
for the last twelve years, to lead the North American Division, the Company
promoted Michael Hofmann to



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Executive Vice President of Operations for North America. Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer, Jeffrey Ackerman, who joined Sealy a
year ago, will be promoted to assume global leadership responsibility for
Finance & Information Technology.

"Larry Rogers' considerable talent, leadership and commitment place him in a
unique position to accelerate Sealy's growth across North America. Under his
leadership, sales in Canada have doubled over the last five years," noted Mr.
McIlquham. "I am confident that Larry and Mike's leadership will enable us to
build on our success. The potential for ongoing sales growth, margin expansion
and earnings momentum is clear, and we expect to further strengthen our
position as the largest bedding manufacturer in the United States and Canada."

Additionally, James "Jim" Hirshorn, Sealy's Senior Executive Vice President of
Finance, Operations, Research and Development stated that he is leaving to
pursue a unique business opportunity and become Chief Financial Officer at
Potbelly Sandwich Works. Mr. Hirshorn also resigned his position as a member
of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Hirshorn will retain his
equity ownership in the Company as a shareholder.

"Jim Hirshorn is a talented leader," said Mr. McIlquham. "He has helped lead
the Company through a period of significant growth and opportunity as Sealy
built upon its global leadership position in an ever increasing competitive
environment." Mr. McIlquham went on to say, "While we deeply regret Jim's
decision to leave, we thank him for his contributions to Sealy's growth and
help in putting the right management team in place to lead the Company."

About Sealy Corporation

Sealy is the largest bedding manufacturer in the world with sales of nearly
$1.5 billion in 2005. The company manufactures and markets a broad range of
mattresses and foundations under the Sealy(R), Sealy Posturepedic(R), Stearns
& Foster(R), and Basset(R) brands. Sealy operates 25 plants in North America,
and has the largest market share and highest consumer awareness of any bedding
brand on the continent. In the United States, Sealy sells its products to
2,900 customers with more than 7,000 retail outlets. Sealy is also a leading
supplier to the hospitality industry. For more information, please visit
www.sealy.com.



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This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Terms
such as "expect," "believe," "continue," and "grow," as well as similar
comments, are forward-looking in nature. Although the Company believes its
growth plans are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurances
that such expectations can be attained. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include: general
business and economic conditions, competitive factors, raw materials
purchasing, and fluctuations in demand. Please refer to the Company's
Securities and Exchange Commission filings for further information.

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