Toby Keith was a dad of 3: Get to know the kids of the late country singer
The late Toby Keith was not only a country music superstar, but also a father of three.
Keith's children and wife celebrated him in a tribute special, "Toby Keith: American Icon," that aired on Aug. 28.
As his family watched, performers including Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Jelly Roll performed.
Jelly Roll said Keith "inspired" him to be a better father, and dedicated his performance to the late singer's family, according to People.
When Keith was granted an honorary degree from the University of Oklahoma at the school's 2024 graduation ceremony, his daughter Krystal Keith was there to accept the honor.
University of Oklahoma president Joseph Harroz, Jr., shared a photo on X of himself with Krystal Keith and her mom, Tricia, who was married to Toby Keith for 40 years.
"So incredibly grateful to Tricia and Krystal Keith for joining us Saturday to celebrate the impact and legacy of @tobykeith with an honorary degree from @UofOklahoma," he captioned the picture, also adding, "Miss you and each and every day, TK. ❤️"
Toby Keith, a two-time winner of the Academy of Country Music's entertainer of the year, died on Feb. 5, 2024, at age 62 after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.
In addition to his wife and Krystal, he is survived by another daughter, Shelley, and a son, Stelen.
"I was raised by good parents and I have great kids," Keith, whose full name was Toby Keith Covel, told People in a 2010 interview. "They all grew up with me being successful, but they are not hooked on that part of the business."
In April, when Toby Keith was honored at the 2024 CMT Music Awards, his three kids were in the audience to celebrate their dad.
"Shelley, Krystal, Steel-man, thank you for sharing your dad with all of us. Thank you," former baseball pitcher Roger Clemens said as the audience toasted Toby Keith after a tribute featuring performances by Lainey Wilson, Sammy Hagar and Brooks & Dunn.
When Keith announced in June 2022 that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer the previous year, he wrote that he was taking a break from his public life and "looking forward to spending this time with my family."
Get to know Keith's beloved children.
Shelley Covel Rowland
After Keith and Lucus married, Keith adopted Lucus' daughter Shelley Covel Rowland.
Rowland went on to team up with her mother and sister Krystal Keith to launch a golf apparel and accessories line called SwingDish.
Krystal Keith
Krystal Keith was born Sept. 30, 1985. She followed her father into the music industry and has even sung onstage with her dad. Her debut album "Whiskey & Lace" was released in 2013 under her father's label Show Dog Nashville, followed by a 2018 EP titled "Boulder."
In a September Instagram post dedicated to her father, Krystal Keith, a mom of two herself, said her father taught her "everything, even things my mom tried hard to UNTEACH."
"He has been my lCON since day 1 and in the last 6 months he has been honored with not one but 2 Icon Awards for the work he dedicated his life to. I love that he is getting recognition as not just MY icon, but an Icon to the music industry and fans," she wrote.
"Most people know he is a country singer, but what you may not know is he is also one of the most prolific songwriters in the world, not just country music and isn't writing for other artists," she continued. "If you took the time to learn his stats they would blow you're mind. He has written all but a handful of the hundreds of songs he has put out in the last 30 years with over 69 radio singles 65 of which charted- that's UNHEARD OF let alone 30 of them being number ones with many more top 5 and top 10 hits."
She added, "He stuck to his guns and created a legendary, ICONIC career against all odds and wading through every kind of NO. I could not be more proud and in awe of him ❤️❤️❤️."
Stelen Keith Covel
The youngest of the Keith kids, Stelen Keith Covel is now an entrepreneur and venture manager.
He married his wife Haley Covel in November 2021.
