Toby Keith Dies at 62: Country Music Icon & Advocate for Veterans
He had been battling stomach cancer for over a year
Toby Keith, the country music icon, passed away on Monday, February 5, 2024. He had been battling stomach cancer for over a year, and this sad news was officially shared through a statement on his website. On his Instagram profile, an image of Toby Keith was posted –where he stood in what seemed to be a beautiful garden, wearing a brown cowboy hat, a blue jacket and shirt, a white shirt with matching details, and jeans. Accompanying the image was a heartfelt message announcing his passing and kindly requesting privacy for the family during this challenging time.
Toby Keith was born on July 8, 1961, in Oklahoma, United States. He rose to stardom during the country music boom of the 1990s, known for his patriotic style, which increased after the events of September 11, 2001. His musical repertoire ranged from songs about bars to touching romantic ballads.
Veterans
Throughout his life, Keith showed his deep patriotism not only on stage but also by offering support to war veterans. He went as far as donating wheelchairs to wounded veterans during his concerts. Moreover, according to CNN, he performed countless concerts for U.S. armed forces members overseas, including in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. He even took part in events attended by Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush.
In 2010, Keith told CNN that his support for military personnel had nothing to do with politics, despite being a third-generation Democrat. He firmly stated, “There’s not one single thing political about supporting the troops.”
Wounded Warrior Project mourns the loss of Toby Keith, an advocate for veterans. His support for WWP and our nation’s heroes will always be remembered. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/C6J4kMdnvV
— WWP (@wwp) February 6, 2024
In 2021, then-President Donald Trump honored Keith with the National Medal of Arts. This prestigious award, described by the National Endowment for the Arts as ‘the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States government,’ acknowledged Keith’s significant contributions to the arts and his unwavering dedication to supporting veterans and the military.