Toby Keith, the country music icon, has succumbed to stomach cancer at 62. He had been diagnosed in 2021 and underwent treatment for six months before revealing his diagnosis to the public. See the photos of his life before and after his diagnosis. Toby Keith attends the 2016 American Country Countdown Awards on May 1, 2016 in Inglewood, California | Source: Getty Images On the evening of February 5, 2024, the world lost a music legend, Toby Keith, to stomach cancer. The Oklahoma native, renowned for his chart-topping country songs like “How Do You Like Me Now?” and “As Good As I Once Was,” was 62. His passing sent shockwaves through the global music community and his fanbase, who had been closely following his career and battle with cancer. A statement on Keith’s Instagram page confirmed his peaceful passing in the presence of his loved ones. Toby Keith in Merrilville on January 12, 1994 | Source: Getty Images Toby Keith performs in Mountain View, California on October 14, 1993 | Source: Getty Images The message highlighted his brave and dignified battle with the disease, reading, “He fought his fight with grace and courage.” The family also requested that the public respect their privacy during this sorrowful period. Toby Keith attends the 1994 Country Music “Fanfest” in Pomona, California | Source: Getty Images Toby Keith attends the 30th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in 1995 | Source: Getty Images Keith’s musical talent started to manifest at a young age. In a video he shared on social media, he recalled the first song he ever wrote at the tender age of 14 or 15, titled “If You Had an Out of Heartache.” Admitting it wasn’t very good, he noted that it was well-structured and received positive feedback from his local community. Toby Keith during Academy of Country Music’s Bill Boyd Golf Classic in 1995 in Burbank, California | Source: Getty Images Toby Keith, wife Tricia Covel, and son Stelen Covel attend the 33rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in 1998 | Source: Getty Images Toby Keith with wife Tricia and their son attend the 34th Annual CMA Awards on October 4, 2000 in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images This started a prolific songwriting career, with over 5,000 songs to his name. In 2014, Keith’s philanthropic side came to the fore when he established The Toby Keith Foundation. Toby Keith after winning awards for the top male vocalist and best album at the 36th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Los Angeles, California on May 9, 2001 | Source: Getty Images According to the foundation, it provides cost-free housing to children battling cancer and their families during treatment. Their bio on Instagram states that the foundation “exists to encourage the health and happiness of pediatric cancer patients and to support OK Kids Korral.” Dolly Parton presents Video of the Year to winner Toby Keith for “American Soldier” at the CMT 2004 Flame Worthy Video Music Awards | Source: Getty Images Toby Keith attends 2005 CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images Keith publicly announced his stomach cancer diagnosis in June 2022 via Instagram. He shared that he had been undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery for the past six months and was taking time to recover and spend with his family. Toby Keith attends the Clear Channel Star Party on June 7, 2005 in Atlanta, Georgia | Source: Getty Images Toby Keith poses for a photo in 2005 | Source: Getty Images Toby Keith performs during his 2005 “Big Throwdown Tour II” in Mountain View | Source: Getty Images Despite his health challenges, he remained optimistic about returning to his fans. He wrote, “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. -T” Toby Keith performs during the American Country Awards 2010 on December 6, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada | Source: Getty Images Toby Keith poses during the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 18, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada | Source: Getty Images Toby Keith poses after winning the Video Visionary Award at the American Country Awards 2010 on December 6, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada | Source: Getty Images One of Keith’s last major performances was at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards in September. He delivered a rendition of “Don’t Let the Old Man In,” which stirred his fans’ emotions. A fan noted with concern, “Yall see him shaking? He fought hell to sing that song. And he nailed it.” Another replied to the fan, attributing the shaking they may have noticed to “Medication side effects or nerves…or both.” A third fan agreed wholeheartedly, adding, “100% agree. God bless Toby Keith.” Throughout this poignant performance, his wife Tricia was visibly moved, her eyes welling up with tears as she watched from the audience. Keith was honored with the Country Icon Award at the same awards ceremony. Toby Keith’s wife, Tricia tears up during his performance from a video dated September 29, 2023 | Source: Instagram/peopleschoice Toby Keith’s wife, Tricia tears up during his performance from a video dated September 29, 2023 | Source: Instagram/peopleschoice Despite his health struggles, he delivered a light-hearted and emotional acceptance speech, joking about his skinny jeans and expressing gratitude to the Almighty. “I bet you never thought y’all’d see me in skinny jeans,” he quipped. He also thanked his supportive family, management team, band, and musicians who contributed to his albums over his 30-year career. In an exclusive interview in June 2023, Keith expressed optimism about his health, saying, “I’m feeling pretty good.” Scotty Emerick, Dean Dillon and Toby Keith attend the 2022 BMI Country Awards on November 8, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images He revealed that he was eight weeks post his last scan and was hopeful that his sole tumor would have further reduced by his next check-up. Despite the unpredictability of cancer, Keith was in high spirits, feeling healthier and more energetic. He even contemplated reuniting his band for a few days of performance to test his stamina for a two-hour set, with plans to return to touring in the fall if successful. Toby Keith a softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Florida State Seminoles on June 07, 2023 in Oklahoma City | Source: Getty Images Keith spoke about his health journey in the lead-up to the People’s Choice Country Awards. He described it as a roller coaster of good and bad days but remained optimistic, noting that his tumor had shrunk by a third since his diagnosis. That day, he felt good and appreciated the recognition of his three-decade-long career, which he described as “mind-boggling.” Toby Keith at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards held on September 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images He was proud of his songwriting skills, saying, “Those years of pounding those songs out there and remembering where you were when each one was conceived and all that, it’s amazing.” Toby Keith and his wife Trisha at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards on September 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images Keith continued to make public appearances, attending the Nashville Songwriter Awards and performing shows in Las Vegas in December. After one of his shows, he wrote, “It was a triumphant return. One hell of a night in Vegas. Ready to do it all over again tonight.” Toby Keith performing in Las Vegas, from a video dated December 11, 2023 | Source: Instagram/tobykeith Toby Keith performing in Las Vegas, from a video dated December 11, 2023 | Source: Instagram/tobykeith Toby Keith performing in Las Vegas, from a video dated December 11, 2023 | Source: Instagram/tobykeith After his Las Vegas performance, he was surprised by Pandora backstage as they gave him a Triple Billionaires Plaque to celebrate his catalog, hitting three billion streams on their platform. Read Also However, during an appearance on the Bobby Bones Show in January 2024, he looked like he had lost a lot of weight and admitted that he struggled to hit some notes post-surgery. This resulted from a stitch in his diaphragm and his not using it to sing every night. He noted that he had to work on his diaphragm, which was improving. Although he could no longer hit specific notes, his regular singing on stage had not been affected. Just days before his death, on February 2, 2024, Keith had shared a video reminiscing about his early songwriting days. Toby Keith from a video dated January 25, 2024 | Source: YouTube/@NEWS9OklahomaCity Over his illustrious career, Keith has been nominated for 77 awards, winning 18. He won 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, including the Album of the Year award in 2001 and 2004. In 2004, he also won the Favorite Country Male Artist and Favorite Country Album at the American Music Award. Even amidst his battle with cancer, his resilience and dedication to his craft showcased his love for music and cemented his legacy in the country music industry. Previous Article‘Pawn Stars’ Rick Harrison’s Son Tragically Dies at 39 – Heartbroken Father Speaks Out Next ArticleOne day before Toby Keith's death at age 62 on Monday, the country icon was reminiscing on live performances and anticipating the future. Not long prior to Keith's family announcing his death, a video from one of the "Red Solo Cup" singer's recent concerts was shared to his Instagram on Sunday alongside the caption, "And that’s a wrap on the weekend, y’all. Back to it." The clip appears to come from one of the late musician's final shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on Dec. 10, 11 and 14. Following the sold-out performances, Keith took to social media and described the concerts as "a damn good way to end the year." Keith died on Monday night, according to a statement shared by his family on social media. He was diagnosed with stomach cancer in fall 2021. "Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on Feb. 5 surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage," read the message. "Please respect the privacy of his family at this time." Fullscreen button Tammie Arroyo/Variety via Getty Images Toby Keith Tammie Arroyo/Variety via Getty Images Toby Keith © Provided by People The "Should've Been a Cowboy" performer spoke about his cancer diagnosis while attending the People’s Choice Country Awards — where he was honored with the inaugural country music icon award — at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in September 2023. Keith told E! News at the time that his cancer struggle is "a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you know, you're up and down, up and down.” “It's always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today," he said on the red carpet, where he was joined by his wife of nearly 40 years, Tricia Lucus. Fullscreen button Terry Wyatt/Getty Toby Keith and Tricia Lucus attend the 2023 People's Choice Country Awards on September 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Terry Wyatt/Getty Toby Keith and Tricia Lucus attend the 2023 People's Choice Country Awards on September 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. © Provided by People During the awards show, Blake Shelton presented Keith with the country music icon award, honoring him for his work as a musician, humanitarian and entrepreneur. "Bet you thought you'd never see me in skinny jeans," Keith quipped in his acceptance speech. "I want to thank the almighty for allowing me to be here tonight. You've been riding shotgun with me for a little while." After thanking his family, he showed his gratitude for his team noting that "a lot of people go into making a big career like this of 30 years." Fullscreen button Erika Goldring/WireImage Toby Keith Erika Goldring/WireImage Toby Keith © Provided by People Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Most of all, I want to thank the fans for still allowing us to do what we do," Keith added. Following his speech, the seven-time Grammy nominee performed his 2019 track "Don't Let the Old Man In," his first televised performance since going public with his cancer diagnosis in June 2022. May 20, 2024