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Country Music Star Toby Keith Passes Away from Stomach Cancer
- Milton Quintanilla Crosswalk Headlines Contributor
- Published Feb 06, 2024
Country star Toby Keith, known for his hit song “Should've Been a Cowboy," passed away on Tuesday at the age of 62.
According to a statement on Keith’s social media channels, the musician died peacefully Tuesday night “surrounded by his family.”
“He fought his fight with grace and courage,” the statement added. “Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”
Keith announced in June 2022 that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. During the 2022 People's Choice Country Awards, when he received the Country Icon Award, Keith addressed his illness and said that he was receiving chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
"Cancer is a roller coaster," he told KWTV during an interview in January. "You just sit here and wait on it to go away — it may not ever go away."
The country star noted that faith helped him navigate through that rough season of his life, CBN News reports.
"You gotta have your faith," he said. "Thank God that I got it too. You take it for granted on days when things are good and you lean on it when days are bad. It's taught me to lean on it a little more every day."
Keith also noted that he experienced a "peace that surpasses all understanding."
"I finally got to a point in the Spring...I was diagnosed in October of '21. And I was going through all the chemo and been through chemo, radiation, and surgery. And I just got to the point where I was comfortable with whatever happened. I had my brain wrapped around it and I was in a good spot, either way. People without faith don't have that," he said.
During a previous interview with Fox News Digital, Keith shared how prayer helped him out during his cancer battle.
"I lean on my faith and I just pray and lean into it," explained. "You gotta' do what you gotta' do, and I don't know how people do it without faith... that's what I did, it was my rock."
In 1993, Ketih released his debut single, “Should've Been a Cowboy” which became a number 1 hit. Overall, he has sold more than 40 million albums throughout his entire music career.
Additionally, Keith’s songs often contained patriotic themes, including "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," which he released after the 9/11 attacks. Per Fox News, he also supported the U.S. military 11 USO tours to visit and play for troops stationed overseas.
In 2003, he released the hit song “ American Soldier” supporting America’s military. He also raised millions of dollars for charity, including building a home in Oklahoma for kids and their families dealing with cancer.
He also played at events for former U.S. Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. In 2021, Trump awarded him a National Medal of the Arts in 2021.
Keith is survived by his wife, Tricia, three children and four grandchildren.
Image credit: ©Getty Images / Matt Winkelmeyer / Staff
