Toby Keith’s net worth and legacy: Late music legend hailed as ‘most authentic Oklahoman’ by friends

OKLAHOMA, UNITED STATES: Toby Keith left his friends, family, and fans across the globe grieving after he lost his life on February 5.

The music legend was 62 at the time of his death. A few years ago, he was reportedly diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Following his passing, a statement from his social media account announced, “Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th surrounded by his family.”

“He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time,” the statement added.

Toby Keith's net worth

As per Celebrity Net Worth, the ‘Don't Let The Old Man In’ singer’s net worth was $400 million.

However, the singer's career reportedly did not have an easy start. He first began working in the oil fields before playing in a band in his 20s.

The 1990s saw a turning point in Keith’s career as he moved to Nashville to make an official career in music.

His first single ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy’ came out in 1993 and after that, he did not look back and continued to produce iconic songs one after another, like ‘Beer for My Horses,’ ‘Courtesy of the Red White and Blue,’ ‘We Were in Love’, and 'Happy Birthday America'.

However, music was not the only thing that was paying back to Keith.

He launched his I Love This Bar and Grill restaurant chain with the initial one opening in 2004 in Las Vegas.

The ‘American Soldier’ hitmaker also became a 10 percent stake owner of Big Machine Records, which went on to sign Taylor Swift for $400,000.

Apart from these, Keith also started his Wild Shot mezcal liquor business in 2007, which reportedly got him $60 million to $100 annually.

Toby Keith’s legacy

Reba McEntire reportedly said, “Toby and I are both from Oklahoma and very proud of our Oklahoma heritage. Toby worked very hard to make a mark in the country music business, and he did a great job doing that.”

A friend of Keith's, Joe Castiglione, who is the University of Oklahoma athletic director, shared, “We, who saw him on a personal level, saw Toby just be Toby. The most authentic Oklahoman and human being.”

Castiglione noted, “He would just say, 'Would you do me a favor and pay it forward?' That's what I think is the best way to celebrate Toby and his immense legacy that will be around forever.”

“There are many people that touch our hearts, but few leave a mark of such positive influence and inspiration like Toby Keith. We’ll love him for that, for the rest of our lives," he added.

Toby Keith Foundation

Keith was passionate about helping children affected by cancer. He started the Toby Keith Foundation in 2006 and since then it has “streamlined its efforts around no-cost housing for children with cancer".

Besides, the organization also launched OK Kids Korral, a cost-free, convenient and comfortable home for pediatric cancer patients, in 2014.

The website of the foundation states that “there is no greater gift than keeping families strong and together during a difficult time".

Keith reportedly once said, “[The OK Kids Korral is] my best gift that I’ve ever given to the world.”