Toby Keith left wife Tricia Lucus in tears with his last public performance months before his death
![Toby Keith left wife Tricia Lucus in tears with his last public performance months before his death](https://dxltb3n5j8l6j.cloudfront.net/674031/uploads/fa0e41c0-c5a8-11ee-b418-3f4ff5690150_800_420.jpeg)
OKLAHOMA, UNITED STATES: The 2023 People's Choice Country Awards event was one of the last public appearances as well as performances by Toby Keith before his death.
Keith breathed his last on February 5 after being diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021.
![Toby Keith (R) and Tricia Lucus at the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 15, 2018 in Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/ACMA2018/FilmMagic for ACM)](http://d2r3ijz46v2k0u.cloudfront.net/dd63cef5-2115-42a5-9324-14c88bd9e549.jpg)
Toby Keith’s wife Tricia Lucus felt emotional during his performance
The country music icon sang ‘Don't Let The Old Man In’ which left his wife Tricia Lucus teary-eyed on September 28, 2023, Daily Mail reported.
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Not just that Keith was also honored with the Country Music Icon Award at the same event. The ‘Should've Been a Cowboy’ hitmaker and Lucus had been married since 1984.
Toby Keith called his wife his support
He once reportedly called his wife a “strong-hearted and loving woman” who had been supportive of him.
“Dozens of people told Tricia, 'You need to go to tell your old man to get a real job.’ It took a strong-hearted and loving woman to say, 'He's good enough at music that I've got to let him try. And it'll be a great shot for both of us if he can make it work,’” he added.
Also, the ‘Red Solo Cup’ singer told News 9's Robin Marsh after his cancer diagnosis, as per PEOPLE, “She's been a trouper. She's the best nurse.”
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“The first time we went to Houston, to the hospital, she stepped right in and she just took control and said, 'We got this. Let's go.’ So she's like, 'We're going to get this, and don't worry about it,’” he revealed.
Years ago, Keith’s wife spoke with PEOPLE as she shared, “Most people think he is just the most romantic person on the planet. He has his moments of charm.”
She added, “It is nice to get a bouquet of flowers, but I’ve told him, ‘Save the money. Roses die in five to seven days. Buy me an outfit or take me to dinner.’”
![oby Keith during 2005 CMT Music Awards - Backstage at Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. (Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage for CMT: Country Music Television)](https://pisco-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/f4de32a2-1d37-467f-98ea-05cd1884368d.jpg)
‘Praying for his family!’
Meanwhile, Keith’s death has left his fans devastated who express their grief on social media sites. A fan on Facebook wrote, “He remained strong, battling his cancer. I watched him on the award show, he looked weak and had lost a lot of weight, but he still performed, with everything he had. Prayers for his family, friends and fans.❤🙏🇺🇸.”
Another one said, “Praying for his family! He was a great performer! He will be missed. 🙏🙏.” The third one shared, “I went to see him in Vegas for one of his last shows. He sounded amazing and acted like his old self. I am so sad. Rest easy Toby💔.”
“RIP Toby your music was great you will be missed,” the fourth one added.