Toby Keith’s family: Everything to know about late country star's wife Tricia Lucus and 3 children
Toby Keith is survived by his wife Tricia Lucus and their 3 kids
Besides being an iconic figure in country music, Toby Keith, 62, was a devoted father of three kids. The musician, who tragically lost his life to cancer on Monday, February 5, at the age of 62, had a family with his wife of almost 40 years, Tricia Lucus. Keith adopted his first child Shelley Covel Rowland, who was born in 1980. The couple later welcomed daughter Krystal Keith in 1985 and son Stelen Keith Covel in 1997. Keith's family announced his death in a message posted on X (previously Twitter) on Tuesday, February 6.
Toby Keith married his wife Tricia Lucus in 1984
Toby Keith and Tricia Lucus got married in 1984; they remained married for decades before the singer died at age 62. Keith described how he met Tricia in a 2001 interview with PEOPLE; Keith stated that it happened following his 1979 graduation from Moore High School. He met Tricia at one of the clubs who was a secretary for an oil business. She remembered, "I was 19 and he was 20. He was just one of those larger-than-life guys, full of confidence." Tricia is also the vice president of The Toby Keith Foundation.
Toby Keith earlier dubbed Tricia Lucas a 'strong-hearted and loving woman'
Keith heaped praise on his wife, mentioning how she supported him through hard times as he raised their family. Keith told The Boot, "Dozens of people told Tricia, ‘You need to go 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.’"
Toby Keith adopted his oldest daughter Shelley Covel Rowland
Shelley Covel Rowland is Keith and Tricia's oldest child. According to The Boot, Shelley was born in 1980 to Tricia from a prior relationship, and after years of being in a romantic relationship with Tricia, Keith adopted and raised Shelley as his own. Although Shelley endeavored to keep her life as private as possible, in 2015, she made a rare public appearance at a SwingDish launch event in Las Vegas, Nevada, alongside her parents.
Toby Keith's second daughter Krystal Keith is also a musician
Keith and Tricia welcomed Krystal, their first child together, on September 30, 1985. She opted to take on her father's stage name rather than Keith's birth last name, Covel. Krystal pursued a career in music, 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. Krystal continued to compose music and released her debut album, 'Whiskey & Lace', in 2013. Her hit song 'Daddy Dance with Me' was included in the record. Krystal currently resides in Oklahoma where she raises her two kids, Kirby and Hensley.
Toby and Tricia welcomed their only son Stelen Keith Covel in 1997
On April 17, 1997, Keith and Tricia welcomed their only and youngest son, Stelen. Stelen claimed he was told at an early age how much he resembled his father. According to Stelen's LinkedIn, he also holds a degree from the University of Oklahoma. Stelen co-owns several companies, including Tequila Chulos, Hollywood Corners, Sellout Crowd, and 405 Burger Bar. With his family present, Stelen married Haley Covel on November 6, 2021, in Las Vegas.
Toby Keith praised his 'great kids'
The country music artist, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021 and died at the age of 62, told PEOPLE in 2010 that he enjoyed spending time with his family at home. The artist told PEOPLE at the time, "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. They all grew up with me being successful, but they are not hooked on that part of the business."
