In 1016 soon after her great-grandson was enthroned to become Emperor Goichijo, she became seriously ill, and despite the care from Michinaga and Rinshi, she died of an illness in August of the same year at the age of 86.
長和元年（1016年）、曾孫に当たる後一条天皇が即位するが、間もなく病状が悪化し、道長夫妻も看病にあたったものの、同年7月に86歳で病死した。