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Country music star Toby Keith died Monday evening at the age of 62 after a long battle with stomach cancer. Now new details have emerged about his death.
Keith passes away
“Toby Keith passed away peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family,” a statement on Keith's website read.
“He fought his battle with grace and courage. Please respect his family’s privacy at this time.
Keith announced back in 2022 that he had been suffering from stomach cancer privately for months.
“Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I've spent the last six months receiving chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. So far so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax,” Keith said at the time, according to Entertainment Tonight.
Last year, Keith revealed that he was relying on his Christian faith to help him deal with his battle with cancer.
“I rely on my faith and I pray and I rely on him,” Keith said. “You gotta do what you gotta do, and I don't know how people do it without faith… That's what she did, she was my rock.”
RELATED: Toby Keith launches comeback after stomach cancer diagnosis — returning to the concert stage for the first time
Keith's cancer battle
Keith also expressed his hope that he will be able to return to performing very soon.
He told E! “I feel very good.” News. “It's a bit of a roller coaster. You get good days, you know, you're up and down, up and down. It's always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today.”
After his cancer diagnosis, Keith told People magazine that he was focusing on spending time with his beloved wife, Tricia Lucas, and their three children.
“Everyone in the family is good,” he said at the time. “I was raised by good parents and have wonderful children. They have no problems at all – nothing.
“They all grew up successful, but they are not addicted to this part of the business,” he added.
RELATED: Toby Keith Reveals How His Faith Helps Him in His Battle with Stomach Cancer – “I'm Just Praying”
Keith's political views
Even though he was a registered independent, Keith had the courage to perform at Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017. Despite receiving backlash for it from the left, Keith refused to apologize for his performance.
“I make no apologies for performing for our country or our military,” Keith said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly at the time. I have performed at events for past presidents [George W.] Bush and [Barack] Obama and over 200 performances in Iraq and Afghanistan for the USO.
Keith told The Washington Post that he voted for Bill Clinton twice and twice for George W. Bush as well.
“I didn't care about Gore or Kerry,” he explained.
In 2017, Keith defended Trump after his infamous “grab them by the ***” comment, noting that “guys talk like that everywhere.”
“Bill Clinton, everyone was rooting for him about getting a BJ,” Keith said, according to Newsweek. “I said to myself: This does not affect the way he runs the country.”
Keith was awarded the National Medal of Arts by Trump.
Keith was a true legend, and there will never be anyone like him. Please join us in saying a prayer for his family and friends during this difficult time.
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