Country music Toby Keith has died, according to a statement released on his website and social media accounts.
He was 62.
“Toby Keith passed away peacefully, last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time,” read the statement.
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Toby announced that he had stomach cancer in June 2022. At that point, he had been battling the disease for six months.
Toby Kept His Cancer Diagnosis a Secret for Six Months
“Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I’ve spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery,” he told fans on X. “So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover, and relax.”
“I am looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait. -T.”
Toby continued to work and received awards while undergoing treatment.
Toby Continued to Work During Treatment
Last September, he was honored with the “Country Icon Award” at the People’s Choice Country Awards, where he also performed.
Last June, he hosted a live auction event to raise funds for the Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral, which provides free lodging for children and their families seeking cancer treatment in Oklahoma City.
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“I’m feeling pretty good. … I’m about another eight weeks from my last scan. So, I expect next time I look for that tumor to be even less — and I’ve only got one that’s shown up,” Toby told The Oklahoman at the time.
“Basically, everything is in a real positive trend. You never know with cancer, so you have to prepare. But my goal is, I feel better; I’ve got more wind. And I’m thinking about bringing the band in and setting up, playing two or three days somewhere just to see if I can get through two hours,” he added.
He made his return to the stage in Las Vegas in December 2023. “3 sold out shows in Vegas was a damn good way to end the year,” he wrote on Instagram.
Toby Is Remembered as a Country Legend
Born in Oklahoma, Toby rose to fame in the 1990s.
According to NBC, he sold between 25 and 30 million records in the U.S. and his songs were streamed more than 10 billion times.
He wrote his first song, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” in a motel bathroom in Dodge City, Kansas. The song became iconic.
Some of Toby’s other hits include “Beer for My Horses,” “I Love This Bar” and “Red Solo Cup.”
Toby is survived by his wife, Tricia Lucas, and their three children.
