Country music entertainer Toby Keith's wife, Tricia, came into his life long before his successful music career took off. More here!
County music star Toby Keith‘s wife, Tricia Lucas Covel, first caught his attention at an Oklahoma nightclub in 1981 when he was just 20-years-old and she was 19. After three years of dating, the pair got hitched on March 24, 1984 and the couple was married for over 39 years until Toby was lost to stomach cancer on February 5, 2024. On first meeting Toby, Tricia commented, “He was just one of those larger-than-life guys, full of confidence,” she recalled to People magazine in a prior interview.
Tricia Covel, the wife of American late country music superstar Toby Keith, is a woman of many talents. She is not only a devoted wife and mother of three children, but also a successful businesswoman, actress, and philanthropist. After their nuptials, Toby adopted Tricia’s daughter Shelley and the couple went on to welcome daughter Krystal and son Stelen into the family. In the early days of their marriage, the couple struggled financially as Keith worked the oil fields for $50,000 a year while also dabbling in music. Once the oil industry hit a downturn, the future star took leap of faith to pursue a music career.
“Dozens of people told Tricia, ‘You need to go tell your old man to get a real job,’” Keith shared with Country Weekly. “It took a strong-hearted and loving woman to say, ‘He’s good enough at music that I’ve got to let him try. And it’ll be a great shot for both of us if he can make it work.’”
And work it did. Success finally hit in 1993, when Keith’s self-titled debut album went platinum. And its breakout single, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” became the most-played country song of the 1990s.
Overall, the singer-songwriter has released 21 studio albums, 2 Christmas albums, and 7 compilation albums. He has also charted sixty-one singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts and has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. Toby achieved 20 #1 hits on the Country Music charts in his amazing career.
Despite his seemingly tough exterior, Keith is a teddy bear when it comes to Tricia. “Most people think he is just the most romantic person on the planet,” she admitted to People. “He has his moments of charm. It is nice to get a bouquet of flowers, but I’ve told him, ‘Save the money. Roses die in five to seven days. Buy me an outfit, or take me to dinner.’”
With the encouragement of Tricia, Keith’s total career earnings are estimated at $500 million. The couple is certainly living the high life, but the pair value their three children and grandchildren above all.
“I absolutely love performing and writing songs,” he expressed to Country Weekly, “but being at home with my wife, Tricia, and my three kids is the best feeling of all.”
Currently Tricia, along with along with daughters Krystal and Shelley, is working on her own business venture called SwingDish— a signature line of high quality women’s golf apparel. The fashion line includes women’s golf shorts, shirts, skirts, and accessories that are both functional and stylish. Beyond her professional achievements, Tricia is also a dedicated philanthropist. She and Toby have established the Toby Keith Foundation, which provides financial assistance and support to children and families facing medical crises. The foundation has helped thousands of families over the years, and is a testament to Tricia’s commitment to giving back to her community.
Kudos to Toby and Tricia for making it work during the hard times and for over 39 years of marriage.
Toby Keith was honored with an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, October 20, 2024. This was a prestigious and well deserved recognition of his impact on the genre. Tricia accepted the honor on his behalf. Her heartfelt acceptance speech resonated with fans, as she expressed Toby’s deep gratitude and love for his fans, friends, and the country music community. Tricia’s presence on stage was a moving reminder of her unwavering support and her vital role in Toby’s life and career. She thanked the Hall of Fame committee for honoring Toby’s legacy and spoke about how much the award would have meant to him, bringing fans to their feet in a heartfelt round of applause.
Between 1993 and his death in 2024, he had forty-two Top Ten country hits and twenty #1 hits. Keith wrote or co-wrote most of his material and was recognized as a prolific songwriter. He shared a perspective on life that was tough, tender, and at times humorous. Toby was always a patriot and had deep respect for our Military. Toby was also well respected as a savvy businessman.