'I have great kids': Toby Keith took pride in his loving family which stayed out of the spotlight

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Country music icon Toby Keith, who died on Monday, February 5, at the age of 62, was proud of his life away from the spotlight.

The country singer, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021, acknowledged in 2010 that he enjoyed spending time with his family at home.

Keith got married to Tricia Lucus about 40 years ago. In 1980, he adopted her first child, Shelley Covel Rowland. The pair then had a daughter named Krystal in 1985 and a son named Stelen in 1997.

Keith's family announced the musician's death the day before, in a message on X (previously Twitter) on Tuesday, February 6. "Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on Feb 5 surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage," read the statement.

Toby Keith was proud of his 'great kids'

Toby Keith's daughter Krystal is a recording artist and musician, carrying on her father's legacy. She has two children, Kirby and Hensley, with her husband, Drew.

Keith's son Stelen, on the other hand, is an entrepreneur whose portfolio includes Tequila Chulos, Hollywood Corners, Sellout Crowd, and 405 Burger Bar. He is married to his travel advisor wife, Haley.

In a 2010 interview with the PEOPLE magazine, Keith stated: "Everybody in the family is good. I was raised by good parents and I have great kids. They don’t have any issues at all — none."

He added, "They all grew up with me being successful, but they are not hooked on that part of the business."

Together with his wife Tricia Lucus, the 'Red Solo Cup' singer was a father to three kids.

Here's all you need to know about Toby Keith's kids, from their occupations to beginning their own families.

Shelley Covel Rowland

After Keith and his wife Tricia Lucus got married, the country music star adopted Shelley, Tricia's daughter born in 1980.

Despite being the most reserved of Keith's children, Shelley, 43, did travel to Las Vegas in 2015 to attend the SwingDish Launch Event with her family, per PEOPLE.

Keith became a grandfather for the first time when Shelley got married and had a child with her spouse. For Thanksgiving in 2023, the 'Should Have Been a Cowboy' singer posed with this full family, which included his grandchildren.

Krystal Keith

On September 30, 1985, Keith and Tricia welcomed Krystal into their family. She decided to take on her father's stage name instead of Toby's birth last name, Covel, although her siblings still go by that name.

Krystal, 38, pursued a music career, following in her father's footsteps. Her father gave her a break in 2004 when he included her in his song 'Mockingbird,' which they both sang at the 38th Annual CMA Awards that same year.

Krystal remained in Oklahoma after earning her degree from the University of Oklahoma, where she is currently raising her two children, Kirby and Hensley. The girls like spending holidays with their family and going skiing together.

Krystal continued to compose music and released her debut album, 'Whiskey & Lace', in 2013. Her hit song 'Daddy Dance with Me,' which she initially played for her father at her 2010 wedding to Andrew Sandubrae, was included on the record.

Stelen Keith Covel

On April 17, 1997, Keith and Tricia welcomed their only son, who was also their youngest child. Stelen claimed that from an early age, he was made aware of how much he resembled his father.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Stelen, like his sister, is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where he majored in venture management and entrepreneurship.

These days, Stelen co-owns an array of organizations, including Tequila Chulos, Hollywood Corners, Sellout Crowd, and 405 Burger Bar. Sellout Crowd is a news network that covers sports and focuses on Oklahoman sports.

In the presence of his family, Stelen married Haley Covel on November 6, 2021, in Las Vegas. Stelen shared a wedding photo with his parents on that significant day, expressing gratitude to fans for their support, shortly after his father revealed his cancer diagnosis.