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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KydhdtEM2Nja+fL3NDh0FPH6zFklVztogP+Fi1Zc78b2m7myYIEm7gzLmDZcupUH
 W0qiyvOpvFrXwmYqmENa5Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-10-052490.txt : 20101015
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-10-052490.hdr.sgml : 20101015
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20101015163108
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-10-052490
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20101013
FILED AS OF DATE:		20101015
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20101015

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			REPLOGLE JOHN B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001503546

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08738
		FILM NUMBER:		101126075

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SEALY CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		ONE OFFICE PARKWAY
		CITY:			TRINITY
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27370

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SEALY CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000748015
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE [2510]
		IRS NUMBER:				363284147
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1202

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		520 PIKE ST
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98101
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2066251233

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		HALLE BUILDING 10TH FLOOR
		STREET 2:		1228 EUCLID AVE
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44115

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	OHIO MATTRESS CO /DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19900322
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-10-13</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000748015</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SEALY CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ZZ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001503546</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>REPLOGLE JOHN B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SEALY CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE OFFICE PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TRINITY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>27370</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-10-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>18000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-10-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>18000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>18000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Sealy Corporation common stock</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Grant is for 18,000 restricted stock units with 1/3 vesting on 10/13/2011, 1/3 vesting on 10/13/2012 and the final 1/3 vesting on 10/13/2013</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kenneth L. Walker, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-10-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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