David Foster Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is David Foster’s net worth?

With a net worth of $150 million, David Foster is known as a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger. Throughout his illustrious career, he has contributed to the discovery of musical talents including Michael Buble, Josh Groban, and Celine Dion. Furthermore, he has produced records for some renowned artists such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, Chicago, and Toni Braxton. Among his numerous credits, he has also produced for Madonna, Air Supply, and the iconic Michael Jackson. Garnering 16 Grammy Awards from 47 nominations, he has played a pivotal role in selling over 500 million albums alongside the artists he has collaborated with.

Had it not been for his four divorces, David’s net worth could potentially be much greater. He is presently wed to singer/actress Katharine McPhee. In addition to his personal life, David has generously donated and raised hundreds of millions of dollars for charity, chiefly through the David Foster Foundation, which advocates for children battling medical conditions.

Early Life

Born on November 1, 1949, David Walter Foster came into the world in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. His father, Maurice (Maury) Foster, worked as a maintenance yard superintendent, while his mother, Eleanor May (née Vantright), was a homemaker. At the age of 13, in 1963, he joined the music program at the University of Washington. By 1965, he had auditioned for a band leader position in an Edmonton nightclub owned by renowned jazz musician Tommy Banks, who mentored him in the music industry. After performing with Ronnie Hawkins and playing in a backup band for Chuck Berry in Toronto, Foster relocated to Los Angeles with his band Skylark in 1974.

Career

Initially, Foster played keyboards for the pop band Skylark, which was discovered by Eirik Wangberg, achieving a top-ten hit with their song “Wildflower” in 1973. After the band’s breakup, he settled in Los Angeles and created the band Airplay alongside Jay Graydon. In addition to performing his own music, he delved into work as a songwriter, producer, and arranger for various projects. He notably contributed to Earth, Wind & Fire’s album “I Am” (1979) as a studio musician and arranger and co-wrote six tracks for the album. The song “After the Love Has Gone,” which he co-wrote with Graydon and Bill Champlin, won the 1980 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song.

Sustaining his momentum, he continued to evolve as a producer and songwriter throughout the 1980s. Noteworthy examples from this era include several Chicago albums and his contributions to songs like “Forever” (1985) and “Heart to Heart” (1982) for Kenny Loggins, along with involvement in Kenny Rogers’s albums “What About Me?” (1984) and “The Heart of the Matter” (1985). He also composed the score for the movie “St. Elmo’s…

He contributed to the films “Fire” (1985), “The Secret of My Success” (1987), and “Stealing Home” (1988) by writing songs. Furthermore, he created “Winter Games,” which served as the theme song for the Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, in 1988.

Foster established a partnership with Warner Brothers in 1995, enabling him to launch his own boutique label, 143 Records, as a joint venture with Warner. The Irish folk-rock band The Corrs was among the first acts signed by 143 Records. However, by 1997, Foster sold the label back to Warner and transitioned to become a senior vice president at the corporation. In the 1990s, notable songs produced by Foster included “The Power of the Dream,” the official song of the 1996 Summer Olympics, co-written with Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, as well as “Un-Break My Heart,” performed by Toni Braxton, “Because You Loved Me,” sung by Celine Dion, and “Have You Ever?” by Brandy, all penned by Diane Warren.

In 2008, Foster held a one-night concert titled “Hitman: David Foster & Friends” in Las Vegas. This performance showcased songs crafted by him over his 35-year career, with Foster taking center stage at the keyboard. Featured artists included Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Blake Shelton, and Katharine McPhee. Confirmed as the Chairman of Verve Music Group in 2011, Foster departed the label in 2016 amidst a corporate reorganization. He has produced a diverse array of albums for numerous artists, including Bryan Adams, Andrea Bocelli, Mary J. Blige, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, and Renee Olstead, among others. Additionally, Foster is renowned for producing several best-selling Christmas albums like Celine Dion’s “These Are Special Times” (1998), Josh Groban’s “Noël” (2007), Rod Stewart’s “Merry Christmas, Baby” (2012), and Jordan Smith’s “Tis the Season” (2016). He has been the producer behind the best-selling Christmas album in the years 1998, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012. In 2022, Foster recorded a seven-song Christmas EP titled “Christmas Songs” alongside his fifth wife, Katherine McPhee.

Television Appearances

Foster’s reputation as a seasoned music producer has afforded him numerous television appearances, primarily on music-centric programs. In April 2006, he served as a guest mentor on “American Idol” and appeared as a guest judge on “Nashville Star.” He has also been featured on shows such as “Celebrity Duets,” “Star Tomorrow,” “The View,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” and “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Additionally, he judged the competition series “Asia’s Got Talent” in 2015, 2017, and 2019. In 2021, Foster and McPhee showcased their talents in season six of “The Masked Singer” as the duo known as “Banana Split,” but they were eliminated in the Group B Finale against Jewel.

Personal Life and Philanthropy

Foster’s personal life includes five marriages, five biological daughters, and seven grandchildren. His first wife was singer and writer B.J. Cook. His second marriage lasted from 1982 to 1986 with Rebecca Dyer. He was then married to actress Linda Thompson from 1991 until 2005, during which they collaborated as a songwriting duo on several pieces, including “I Have Nothing,” performed by Whitney Houston in the film “The Bodyguard.”

(1992). During his marriage to Thompson, he took on the role of stepfather to Brody and Brandon Jenner, Thompson’s children from her earlier relationship with Caitlyn Jenner (previously known as Bruce Jenner). Remarkably, David Foster, Thompson, and the two Jenners appeared together briefly in a reality TV series called “The Princess of Malibu” (2005).

His fourth marriage was to Yolanda Hadid, a Dutch model, occurring from 2011 until 2017.

In June 2018, Foster got engaged to singer and actress Katharine McPhee, who is 34 years younger than him. They tied the knot in June 2019 and welcomed a son, Rennie David, in February 2021.

Real Estate

In 2014, David and his fourth wife, Yolanda, sold their penthouse in Victoria for $5 million. They subsequently sold their Malibu estate in 2015 for $19 million, having initially listed it at $27.5 million.

In 2020, David Foster placed his Wilshire Corridor condominium on the market for $3.995 million. The following year, David and Katherine acquired a mansion in LA’s Brentwood neighborhood for $7.1 million.