Toby Keith, a highly cherished country music artist, caused immense concern among his fans when news of his cancer diagnosis became public. However, he has been diligently keeping his fans updated, and now he has made a major career announcement on Instagram.
Toby Keith’s spouse, Tricia Lucus, has been his unwavering support for almost four decades, standing by him through thick and thin, even before his battle with cancer. In the early days, Toby Keith faced financial challenges and struggled to establish his name in the music industry.
After graduating from Moore High School in 1979, Toby Keith found employment as an oil field worker, earning an annual income of $50,000. Despite his day job, his passion for music persisted. During that time, he had already written around 200 to 300 songs until he finally struck gold with a hit. Toby Keith formed a band called Easy Money and would perform his music at various bars and venues during his free time. It was during one of these performances that he met his future wife, Tricia Lucus, at a bar. They spent the entire night dancing together. At the time, Lucus was only 19 years old and working as an oil company secretary. Reflecting on their first meeting, she told People Magazine in June 2001, “He was one of those larger-than-life guys, full of confidence.”
After three years of dating, the couple tied the knot on March 24, 1984. At the time, Lucus had a daughter from a previous relationship in 1980, whom Toby Keith later adopted as his own. Meanwhile, the oil company Toby Keith worked for faced bankruptcy, prompting Keith to devote himself entirely to his music career.
Despite financial struggles, Toby Keith remained steadfast in his belief that he would achieve great success in the music industry. He often reassured his wife, saying, “Trish, one of these days, my time is coming. Hang in there.” Despite creditors pressuring them and others suggesting that Lucus should encourage Keith to get a “real job,” the couple refused to give up on their dreams. Toby Keith, known for his hit song “As Good as I Once Was,” frequently expressed his gratitude for his wife’s unwavering support and her ability to ignore the skeptics. He once said, “It took a strong-hearted and loving woman to say, ‘He’s good enough at his music that I’ve got to let him try.'”
Their unwavering faith eventually paid off. An article in Forbes Magazine in June 2013 estimated Toby Keith’s net worth to be in the millions, with a minimum annual income of $48 million and earnings of about $270 million between 2012 and 2013.
Toby Keith’s breakthrough moment came in 1993 with the release of his song “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” which quickly became a radio hit and one of the most-played songs of the 1990s. With their financial situation improving, the couple built a happy family together. They welcomed their first child, Krystal, in 1985, followed by their son, Stelen, in 1997.
Once Toby Keith’s music career was firmly established, he expanded into other ventures to further his financial success. He launched a liquor line and a chain of restaurants called Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill. The family now resides in Oklahoma, leading a quiet life on a 60-acre farm on the outskirts of the city, where they own 40 Thoroughbred racehorses. Their property includes an 8,500-square-foot house.
Just as the family began enjoying the rewards of Toby Keith’s hard work, he received an unexpected diagnosis of stomach cancer in the fall of 2021. The family rallied together to support him during this challenging time. In June 2022, Toby Keith announced a temporary hiatus from the limelight to focus on his treatment and recovery, undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Throughout his journey, Toby Keith has been transparent with his fans, providing regular updates to keep them informed. He recently expressed his gratitude on Instagram, acknowledging his fans as the “best” and thanking them for their unwavering love and support.
In a recent Instagram post, Toby Keith shared a significant career update. On May 24, he announced his acquisition of the legendary bait and tackle brand, Luck E Strike. This news surprised some fans as it represents a notable venture beyond the realm of music. Toby Keith’s passion for fishing has evidently led him to expand his entrepreneurial endeavors into the fishing industry. This move may also indicate his aspirations as a businessman in the future, despite the hardships he has faced due to his illness.
