Toby Keith Prided Himself on Loving Family Environment Out of the Spotlight: ‘I Have Great Kids’

Toby Keith was equally proud of his off-stage life.

The country singer, who died Monday at age 62 after being diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021, revealed to PEOPLE in 2010 that he loved spending time at home with his wife and children.

“Everyone in the family is good,” the musician told PEOPLE at the time. “I was raised by good parents and I have great children. They don’t have any problems – none.”

“They all grew up with me as I was successful, but they weren’t attached to that part of the job,” he added.

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Keith married Tricia Lucus almost 40 years ago. He adopted her first daughter, Shelley Covel Rowland, who was born in 1980, and the couple went on to have a daughter, Krystal, in 1985, and a son, Stelen, in 1997.

Isaac Brekken/Getty Images

Following in her father’s footsteps, Krystal is a musician and musician. She is also married to her husband Drew, with whom she shares daughters Kirby and Hensley.

Meanwhile, Stelen is an entrepreneur, with a business portfolio that includes 405 Burger Bar, Sellout Crowd, Hollywood Corners and Tequila Chulos. He is married to his wife Haley, a travel consultant.

Stelen Covel, Haley Covel, Toby Keith, Shelly Covel, Tricia Lucus and Krystal Keith.

Stelen Covel Instagram

Toby Keith returns to the stage in Las Vegas for his first official performances after being diagnosed with stomach cancer

Keith’s family revealed in a statement published on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday that the musician had passed away a day earlier.

“Toby Keith passed away peacefully last night, February 5, surrounded by his family,” the statement said. “He fought his battle with grace and courage.”

Toby Keith and Tricia Lucus arrive at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards.

Allen Clark/NBC via Getty Images

Toby Keith accepts 2023 PCCA Icon of Country Award and jokes ‘I thought you’d never see me in skinny jeans’

The country star first announced his stomach cancer diagnosis in a statement on Instagram in June 2022, saying, “I was diagnosed with stomach cancer last fall. I spent the last 6 months undergoing chemotherapy, 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 rather than later. I can’t wait -T”

In September 2023, Keith also opened up about how his cancer journey has been a “bit of a whirlwind.”

“You have good days and, you know, you’re up and down, up and down,” he said Hey! News on the red carpet at the People’s Choice Country Awards, where he won the Country Icon Award.

“It’s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero, but today I feel good,” he added.

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Source: HIS Education