Opinion
The country music star Toby Keith died on Monday night at the age of 62 after a lengthy battle with stomach cancer. Now, new details have emerged about his death.
Keith Passes Away
“Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by family,” read a statement on Keith’s website.
“He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”
Keith announced back in 2022 that he had been privately battling stomach cancer for months.
“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,” Keith said at the time, according to Entertainment Tonight.
Last year, Keith revealed that he was leaning on his Christian faith to help him deal with his cancer battle.
“I lean on my faith and I just pray and lean into it,” Keith said. “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.”
Related: Toby Keith Launches Comeback After Stomach Cancer Diagnosis – Returning To Concert Stage For First Time
Keith’s Cancer Battle
Keith also expressed his hopes that he would be able to return to performing very soon.
“I feel pretty good,” he told E! News. “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.”
After his cancer diagnosis, Keith told People Magazine that he was focusing on spending time with his beloved wife Tricia Lucas and their three children.
“Everybody in the family is good,” he said at the time. “I was raised by good parents and I have great kids. They don’t have any issues at all — none.”
“They all grew up with me being successful, but they are not hooked on that part of the business,” he added.
Related: Toby Keith Reveals How His Faith Is Helping Him Through His Stomach Cancer Battle – ‘I Just Pray’
Keith’s Political Views
Though he was a registered Independent, Keith had the courage to perform at the inauguration of Donald Trump back in 2017. Despite receiving backlash for this from the left, Keith refused to apologize for his performance.
“I don’t apologize for performing for our country or military,” Keith said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly at the time. “I performed at events for previous presidents [George W.] Bush and [Barack] Obama and over 200 shows in Iraq and Afghanistan for the USO.”
Keith told The Washington Post that he voted for Bill Clinton twice and twice for George W. Bush as well.
“I didn’t care for Gore or Kerry,” he explained.
In 2017, Keith defended Trump after his infamous “grab ’em by the p****” comment, pointing out that “Guys talk like that everywhere.”
“Bill Clinton, everyone was on him about getting a BJ,” Keith said, according to Newsweek. “I was like, ‘It doesn’t affect the way he’s running the country.”
Keith went on to be awarded the National Medal of Arts by Trump.
Keith was a true legend, and there will never be another one like him. Please join us in saying a prayer for his family and friends during this difficult time.
Now is the time to support and share the sources you trust.
The Political Insider ranks #3 on Feedspot’s “100 Best Political Blogs and Websites.”
