Toby Keith dies at 62: ‘He fought his fight with grace and courage’

Country singer Toby Keith has died, according to a message shared to his website and social media accounts.

Keith was 62 years old.

“Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family,” the message reads.

“He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”

What kind of cancer did Toby Keith have?

Keith announced in June 2022 that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in fall 2021.

“Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer,” he posted on X in June 2022 when he made his diagnosis public. “I’ve spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. 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.”

Stomach cancer, which is also known as gastric cancer, happens when cancer cells develop in any part of the stomach, but in the U.S. it most often starts where the esophagus connects to the stomach, according to the Mayo Clinic.

When did Toby Keith die?

Keith died Feb. 5, according to the message shared to his website.

He passed away "peacefully" and was "surrounded by his family."

Just months before, in September 2023, Keith received the Country Icon Award at the People’s Choice Country Awards.

“I feel pretty good,” Keith told E! News at the show. “It’s a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you know, you’re up and down, up and gown. It’s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today.”

In December, Keith performed a trio of concerts at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas in "a triumphant return to the stage and touring," according to his website.

"3 sold out shows in Vegas was a damn good way to end the year," Keith wrote on Instagram.

A seven-time Grammy nominee, Keith was known for his patriotism and military support. He received the National Medal of the Arts from President Donald Trump in 2021 for his contributions to music.

He burst on the scene in 1993 with his debut single, "Should've Been a Cowboy," which soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It would be the first of 20 songs to top that chart, along with such favorites as "Beer for My Horses" (with Willie Nelson), "How Do You Like Me Now?!," "You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This," "My List," "Who's Your Daddy?" and "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," a track written in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Other hits include "Red Solo Cup," "Country Comes to Town," "Honkytonk U," "Get Drunk and Be Somebody" and "A Little Too Late."

Keith is survived by wife Tricia Lucus and their three kids: daughter Shelley Covel Rowland, daughter Krystal Keith and son Stelen Keith Covel.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com