David Foster: Wives, Children, and the Nanny Tragedy

David Foster has shaped the soundtrack of pop for decades, working with icons from Celine Dion to Whitney Houston. But behind the platinum records lies a personal story as eventful as any chart-topping hit—five marriages, six children, and a family tragedy that stunned Hollywood in 2023.

Grammy Awards Won: 16 ·
Number of Marriages: 5 ·
Number of Children: 6 ·
Born: November 1, 1949 ·
Profession: Record producer, composer, arranger, musician

The chart below summarizes the essential details about David Foster’s life and career.

Why is David Foster so famous?

David Foster’s name appears in the credits of some of the biggest hits of the past four decades. He has won 16 Grammy Awards, worked with superstars like Celine Dion and Whitney Houston, and co-wrote “We Are the World” — the 1985 charity anthem that raised millions for famine relief (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia)). His production and arrangement skills turned him into one of the most in-demand figures in pop music.

What are David Foster’s most famous songs?

• “We Are the World” (co-writer and producer)
• “I Have Nothing” (Whitney Houston, producer)
• “Because You Loved Me” (Celine Dion, producer and co-writer)
• “The Power of the Dream” (Celine Dion, co-writer)
• “After the Love Has Gone” (Earth, Wind & Fire, keyboardist)

Source: Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia)

Which artists has he worked with?

• Celine Dion (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia))
• Whitney Houston
• Chicago
• Andrea Bocelli
• Michael Bublé
• Madonna

The catch: Foster’s role as producer often eclipsed the original artists, a pattern seen in other legendary producers like Quincy Jones. Both men shaped entire eras of pop while staying behind the console.

How many wives and children does David Foster have?

David Foster has been married five times and has six children: five daughters from earlier relationships and a son with his current wife. His family tree spans decades and includes high-profile names.

Who are David Foster’s ex-wives?

• B.J. Cook (married 1972–1981) — one daughter, Amy (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia))
• Rebecca Dyer (married 1982–1986) — two daughters, Sara and Erin (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia))
• Linda Thompson (married 1991–2005) — Thompson had children from previous marriage; no biological children together (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia))
• Yolanda Hadid (married 2011–2017) — no children together
• Katharine McPhee (married 2019–present) — one son, Rennie (People (celebrity news magazine))

How many children does David Foster have?

• Allison Jones Foster (born 1970) — from relationship before marriages
• Amy Foster (daughter with B.J. Cook)
• Sara Foster (daughter with Rebecca Dyer)
• Erin Foster (daughter with Rebecca Dyer)
• Jordan Foster (daughter from earlier relationship) — not detailed
• Rennie Foster (born Feb 22, 2021) — son with Katharine McPhee (People (celebrity news magazine))

Why this matters: With six children spread across five decades, Foster’s family life has been as layered as his discography.

Why did David Foster leave Yolanda Hadid?

David Foster and Yolanda Hadid, the former model and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, married in 2011 and divorced in 2017. In interviews, both cited diverging lifestyles and demanding schedules as the main driver (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia)). Yolanda later said, “We grew apart.”

Does Gigi Hadid still talk to David Foster?

• Yes. Gigi Hadid, Yolanda’s daughter, has spoken positively about her former stepfather. In a 2019 interview, she called him “a great guy” and said they remain friendly (Entertainment Weekly (the entertainment news magazine)).

Why did Zayn Malik leave Gigi Hadid?

• Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid ended their relationship in 2021 after a reported altercation with Yolanda Hadid. Malik later pleaded no contest to harassment charges (Los Angeles Times (major California newspaper)).

The trade-off: Foster’s marriage to Yolada connected him to a younger generation of celebrity, but the pace of their separate lives made coexistence unsustainable.

How did Katharine McPhee end up with David Foster?

Katharine McPhee, best known as an American Idol runner-up, first met David Foster in 2006 when she competed on the show (Entertainment Weekly (the entertainment news magazine)). They reconnected years later through a mutual friend and began dating around 2017. Foster proposed in 2018, and they married on June 28, 2019, in London at St Yeghiche Armenian Church (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia)).

When did Katharine McPhee and David Foster meet?

• 2006 on the set of American Idol season 5 (Entertainment Weekly (the entertainment news magazine))

What is the age gap between Katharine McPhee and David Foster?

• 35 years. McPhee was born in 1984, Foster in 1949. The gap has been publicly acknowledged and defended by Foster’s daughter Erin (Entertainment Weekly (the entertainment news magazine)).

The pattern: Age gaps in celebrity couples often draw scrutiny, but Foster’s close-knit family has rallied around the relationship, with daughter Erin calling McPhee “an amazing stepmom.”

What tragedy happened to Katharine McPhee and David Foster?

In August 2023, the couple’s nanny, Yadira Calito, was fatally run over in a vehicle accident outside their Los Angeles home (Los Angeles Times (major California newspaper)). The accident forced the couple to cancel several international performances.

What was the cause of death of Katharine McPhee’s nanny?

• The nanny was killed when a vehicle backed over her in the driveway. Authorities ruled it a tragic accident (Los Angeles Times (major California newspaper))

How did David Foster and Katharine McPhee react?

• McPhee and Foster released a joint statement expressing devastation. They returned to the stage less than two weeks later in Ravello, Italy, dedicating a performance to Calito (Los Angeles Times (major California newspaper))

Why did Linda Thompson leave David Foster?

Linda Thompson, a songwriter and former actress, married David Foster in 1991. They divorced in 2005, citing irreconcilable differences (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia)). Thompson later said the breakup was amicable and that she remains on good terms with Foster.

When did Linda Thompson and David Foster marry?

• 1991 (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia))

How long were they married?

• 14 years (1991–2005) (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia))

The catch: Despite the divorce, Thompson and Foster remained collaborative; she co-wrote songs with him after the split, showing that professional ties often outlast romantic ones.