In late 2021, Toby Keith revealed that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer, marking the start of a challenging six-month regimen of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Keith described the ordeal as “pretty debilitating” in a press release from December 2022. On February 5, 2024, Keith passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Oklahoma at the age of 62.
Earlier this year, the country music icon ensured his family’s security by setting up protective measures before his death. His protracted fight with cancer culminated after years of treatment and resilience. The National Enquirer accessed court documents showing that Keith had filed to keep his home address and homestead deed confidential.
According to reports, the singer regularly “used aliases for himself and his family” and maintained a 24-hour security detail. A recent filing revealed the necessity of these precautions: “This information, if known to the public, would likely increase the threat to the safety and security” of Keith’s family, urging the continuation of protective measures.
“Toby was obsessive about protecting his family—some might even call him paranoid,” a friend of Keith’s disclosed to the National Enquirer. “He cherished his connection with his fans but was well aware of the reality that stalkers and dangerous individuals could pose a threat to him and his family. He frequently said that his family never chose the public spotlight like he did, and it was his responsibility to ensure their safety.”
In his will, Toby Keith ensured that his wife Tricia and his children—Shelley, 44, Krystal, 33, and Stelen, 27—would share in the inheritance of his estate. “Toby was a savvy businessman,” remarked a friend. “As his time was drawing near, it gave him great comfort to know that his family will never want for anything – for generations to come!”
Born in Clinton, Oklahoma, Keith was a country music legend known for his powerful voice and patriotic anthems. Rising to fame in the early 1990s with hits like “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” Keith became a staple of country music with his blend of traditional country sound and a tough, working-class attitude. In addition to his music career, Keith is known for his staunch support of the U.S. military. He has performed over 200 USO shows for American troops stationed abroad, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, further solidifying his status as a patriotic figure.
In January 2017, Keith took the stage at the welcome celebration for Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, held at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. During the event, Keith welcomed President-elect Trump. He performed a set of his patriotic hits, including “American Soldier,” “Made in America,” “Beer For My Horses,” and “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” the last of which he dedicated to his father—a veteran who lost an eye while serving in the U.S. Army.
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His willingness to perform at political events, such as Trump’s 2017 inauguration, drew both praise and criticism, but Keith remained unapologetic, emphasizing his commitment to performing for the country, regardless of political affiliation.
After facing backlash, Keith said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly, “I don’t apologize for performing for our country or military. I performed at events for previous presidents [George W.] Bush and [Barack] Obama and over 200 shows in Iraq and Afghanistan for the USO.”
