It’s been over a week since the death of beloved country music legend Toby Keith, marking the end of a remarkable career.
Keith, known for hits like ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy‘, lost his battle with stomach cancer at the age of 62, surrounded by his loved ones.
The news comes just 18 months after the star publicly revealed he’d been diagnosed with cancer.
Toby Keith’s health struggles
Toby Keith was perhaps one of the most well-known names in country music. The multi-platinum-selling artist enjoyed a very successful family life parallel to his professional life, but things eventually turned sad.
In mid 2022, beloved Toby Keith revealed to fans that he was not doing well. He wanted to make sure his fans knew what was going on with him and hence posted a message on his Instagram and Twitter accounts.
“Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I’ve spent the last six months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax,” the singer wrote.
Even with the diagnosis, the country singer did not let his spirit come down. He ended his note with a promise of seeing his fans soon. “I am looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait,” he wrote and signed his initials.
Follow his passing last week, a statement was posted to the star’s official X account that read: “Toby Keith passed 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.”
— Toby Keith (@tobykeith) February 6, 2024
Krystal Keith speaks out
In a deeply moving tribute shared on Instagram, Keith’s daughter, Krystal, poured out her heart in honor of her late father. Accompanied by a cherished photo of them performing together onstage, her post resonated with fans and friends who have also been mourning her father’s death, and she received an overwhelming wave of support.
“I am shattered,” Krystal’s post began. “As great as he was in his career, he was so much greater as a dad and a husband and a Pop Pop. He was my hero.”
She continued: “I am so lucky to have had him and so grateful he got to walk me down the aisle and meet my babies. That I have years of memories traveling the world as a family. I am blessed that I got to spend years traveling on the road and singing on stage with him. That I have mountains of video footage and endless tracks of music to watch him on and hear his voice with. I’m lucky I got to say goodbye and tell him what he meant to me.”
The outpouring of comments reflected the profound impact Keith had not just on his family, but also on his broader community.
One of Toby’s longtime employees expressed deep sorrow, saying: “I’m so heartbroken for you and your family. Working for your dad for the past 27 years has been nothing but a true honor.”
A fan added: “This broke my heart to read.”
Someone else shared a personal anecdote about the singer, writing: “When I was 8 years old I received a signed autograph and signed CD from Toby, he was a huge reason why I enlisted in the military as an adult.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Toby Keith’s family, friends, and fans as they mourn his tragic loss.
