Toby Keith's Cause of Death Revealed
Toby Keith attends the CMT Artist of the Year Awards at The Factory At Franklin on Dec. 3, 2012, in Franklin, Tennessee.
"Red Solo Cup" singer Toby Keith died on Feb. 5, 2024, his family announced in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
"Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on Feb. 5 surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage," the statement read in part.
Toby Keith's cause of death is an illness with which he long had a relationship even before he was diagnosed with it: The Toby Keith Foundation provided free housing for children battling cancer and their families.
Find out more about Toby Keith's health battle, cause of death and how he spent his final days.
Related: Inside Toby Keith's Cancer Fight
What is Toby Keith's cause of death?
The country crooner was battling stomach cancer. He revealed his diagnosis in June 2022, noting he'd first been diagnosed the previous fall and had been undergoing treatment—including chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy—since.
Keith kept a brave face publicly amid his cancer battle and performed live several times in what would be the final months of his life, including three shows in Las Vegas in December 2023.
"You have to be the captain of your own ship, and doctors and the medical world are just like any other profession," he told Taste of Country last November. "You got a lot of people on these teams, and you just have to dig in and get everybody in the right place—get the right people and pray for the right results."
Related: The Early Cancer Sign Most People Miss
What did Toby Keith die from?
Keith died from stomach cancer.
He told Taste of Country in November 2023 that he felt "great" at the time, explaining, "I finally got it in a spot where I'm really comfortable with it. Everything's trending really well right now, and I'm not gonna let this define the rest of my life. If I live to be 100 or I don't, I'm going to go forward."
Related: King Charles' Cancer Battle and Health Details
What cancer did Toby Keith have?
Keith had stomach cancer.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, gastric cancer generally is curable if it's detected very early. The disease typically begins as a tumor in the stomach lining before growing and spreading.
In later stages, stomach cancer can be treatable, but not curable. Treatment options vary depending on the stage in which the cancer is detected.
Related: Details of Shannen Doherty's Cancer Fight
How old was Toby Keith?
Keith was born on July 8, 1961. At the time of his death, he was 62 years old.
Where was Toby Keith when he passed away?
Keith was surrounded by his family in Oklahoma when he died. It's unclear if he was at home or in a hospital at the time.
Did Toby Keith have children?
Keith is survived by his wife Tricia Lucus, with whom he shared daughters Krystal and Shelley Covel Rowland and son Stelen Keith Covel. He and Lucus adopted Shelley, who was born in 1980, before welcoming Krystal in 1985 and Stelen in 1997.
