Toby Keith's longtime wife, Tricia Lucus, is the strong force behind his remarkable achievements. Over time, Tricia has carved out an impressive path of her own, showing her skills and creativity.
Through the highs and lows of life, including moments of sickness and health, Tricia Lucus has consistently provided steadfast support and stability to her husband, Toby Keith, spanning over three decades.
Tricia has not only shone in their relationship as a caring and supportive partner; the proud mother of three has also flourished as a successful businesswoman.
Tricia Lucus and Toby Keith attend the Songwriters Hall Of Fame 46th Annual Induction And Awards at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 18, 2015, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Tricia Lucus Had an Odd Job before Marriage
Toby Keith and his wife Tricia Lucus recently celebrated their 39 years of marriage. Within those years, Tricia has played a significant role in his life, helping him weather the challenges that came their way.
Their love story began in the late 1970s after Toby graduated from Moore High School. At that time, he had set out to follow in his father's footsteps by working as an oil field laborer.
In his spare time, he pursued his passion for music by performing in local bars with his band, Easy Money. In one of these bars, Toby crossed paths with Tricia, who worked as an oil company secretary.
They were both young, with Toby being 20 and Tricia being 19 at the time. According to Toby, Tricia exuded confidence and had a larger-than-life personality. She said:
"Most people think he is just the most romantic person on the planet. He has his moments of charm."
Their connection deepened over time, and they dated for three years before deciding to tie the knot in 1984. However, their early years of marriage were far from smooth sailing.
Tricia Lucus and Toby Keith attend the 34th Annual Nashville Symphony Ball at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on December 8, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images
The oil fields went through a downturn, leaving Toby with uncertain prospects in the industry. Faced with financial challenges, he continued to pursue his music career, performing with his band at regional gigs.
Tricia shifted her career from the oil industry to the world of fashion design.
Toby's breakthrough in the music industry came in 1993 when his self-titled debut album achieved platinum status, and the single "Should've Been a Cowboy" became a massive hit, becoming the most-played country song of the '90s.
Despite his growing success, awards remained elusive for Tricia's husband. However, he used this as motivation to work even harder. Finally, in later years, Toby's talent was recognized and received accolades like the ACM trophies.
Throughout this journey, Tricia remained a steadfast source of support. Her practicality and grounded perspective helped Toby focus on what truly mattered despite the pressures and demands of the industry.
However, there were times Tricia felt dismayed about her husband's music. Once, she was surprised when her husband named his album "White Trash with Money" after their daughter had a big argument with a wealthy girl in their hometown of Norman, Oklahoma.
During the argument, the girl's mom called the musician's family "white trash with money." This characterization shocked and upset Tricia, but Toby, known for his humor, found it amusing.
Tricia Is a Successful Businesswoman
Tricia shifted her career from the oil industry to the world of fashion design. She is now a businesswoman who succeeded by launching two sportswear companies: SwingDish and Covel.
SwingDish is a high-end women's golf apparel and accessories brand that perfectly combines functionality and femininity. Tricia's love for fashion and a late passion for the game of golf served as the inspiration behind creating this brand.
On the other hand, Covel focuses on men's clothing. This brand has gained recognition for its advanced and high-performance fabrics that offer SPF 50+ sun protection, moisture-wicking capabilities, breathability, and exceptional stretch.
Toby Keith and Tricia Covel attend the American Country Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 5, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
Tricia Supports Husband's Public Appearances amid Health Struggles
Tricia is quite comfortable being in the public eye. She recently stood proudly by her husband during the 2023 People's Choice Country Awards, where he graciously accepted the Country Icon Award.
Her husband's public appearance came after an Instagram revelation in 2022 about his stomach cancer diagnosis, which led to six months of enduring chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Toby Keith and Tricia Lucus attend the 2023 People's Choice Country Awards at The Grand Ole Opry on September 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images
On a recent health update, he shared about undergoing treatment for stomach cancer on multiple occasions, emphasizing the "debilitating" nature of the condition.
Despite the heartbreaking diagnosis that caused fans concern, Tricia's husband is determined to regain his strength to continue with his passion. He successfully put on an impromptu show in July 2023.