Toby Keith raised three “great kids,” including his wife’s daughter, whom he adopted. Only one of them pursued a career in music like him.
Toby Keith, the renowned country singer-songwriter from Oklahoma, passed away from stomach cancer on February 5, 2024, at the age of 62. Known for hits like “Made in America” and “Who’s Your Daddy?”, his death left the music world and his fans in mourning. Alongside his successful career, Keith was also deeply devoted to his family.
Toby Keith met his wife, Tricia Lucus, in an Oklahoma nightclub in 1981, where his charm won her over. At the time, Keith worked in the oil fields by day and performed with his band, Easy Money, by night. After three years of dating, they married on March 24, 1984. Keith adopted Tricia’s daughter, Shelley, and the couple later welcomed two children: their daughter, Krystal, in 1985, and their son, Stelen, in 1997, completing their family.
When the oil industry collapsed, Toby Keith shifted his focus entirely to music. Despite financial struggles, his wife, Tricia Lucus, supported him, managing the family and handling creditors. Keith’s breakthrough came in 1993 with his debut single, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” which topped the country charts and became the most-played country song of the 1990s.
As Toby Keith’s fame grew, Tricia Lucus remained his unwavering supporter. In an interview, Keith shared how Lucus faced pressure from others to convince him to get a “real job.” However, she believed in his talent and encouraged him to pursue his musical dreams.
Toby Keith’s career soared as he earned numerous awards, landed multimillion-dollar endorsements, launched a liquor line, and founded the restaurant chain Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill. Despite his success, he prioritized his family.
In 2001, Keith won Album of the Year and Top Male Vocalist at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Even before his rise to fame, Tricia Lucus took a practical approach to their finances. She once said, “It’s nice to get flowers, but I’ve told him, ‘Save the money. Roses die in five to seven days. Buy me an outfit or take me to dinner.’”
By mid-2001, Toby Keith’s financial success was evident. With 11 chart-topping hits over eight years and a net worth estimated between $10 and $25 million, he owned about 40 Thoroughbred racehorses and a 160-acre farm near Oklahoma City, where he was building an 8,500-square-foot home for his family.
Despite his success, family remained his priority. Reflecting on this, Keith shared, “It’s really hard for me to leave my kids since my father passed away.” His father, H.K. Covel, a retired oil executive, passed away from a heart attack in March 2001 at the age of 64.
Toby Keith raised his three children with pride, love, and unwavering dedication. Despite his fame, he prioritized keeping his family close and protected. He once remarked, “I was raised by good parents, and I have great kids.” His second daughter, Krystal, now a mother of two, followed in her father’s footsteps and pursued a career as a musician.
In June 2022, Toby Keith revealed his stomach cancer diagnosis in a social media post, sharing that he had undergone chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery over the previous six months. Despite the challenges, he remained optimistic, saying, “So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover, and relax.”
Keith expressed his determination to reconnect with his fans, adding, “I am looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait.” In September 2023, at the People’s Choice Country Awards red carpet, he candidly described his cancer journey as “a little bit of a roller coaster.”
Toby Keith acknowledged the ups and downs of his health but remained resilient throughout his battle. That evening, he was honored with the Country Icon Award, recognizing his significant influence on country music.
During his final Christmas with his family, which included his wife, children, and grandchildren, Keith shared a photo capturing joyful moments with everyone smiling. He captioned the post, “Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from my family to yours. -T.”
Toby Keith’s passing was confirmed in a heartfelt statement on his Instagram page, which shared that he peacefully departed surrounded by his family. The statement noted, “He fought his fight with grace and courage” and asked for respect and privacy for his family during this time of grief.