When ace music composer/producer David Foster, and singer/actress Katharine McPhee debuted their romance in 2017, it predictably led to lots of reactions. While many wished them good in their newfound love, others took a critical view of the romance given that there was a huge age difference between them. They went to the extent of saying that McPhee was only with Foster as a result of his money.
Fans of the actress did not take this lying low. They pointed out that even though Foster was quite accomplished and wealthy, McPhee was not lacking in any way but had built a thriving career as an actress and singer. They also alluded to the fact that she had several endorsement deals to her name and has built up an impressive personal fortune. The argument remains evenly split since then but the couple in the middle of the whole drama is not paying it much heed. They have gone ahead to tie the knot and now have a son together.
David Foster is Evidently Wealthier Than Katharine McPhee
David Foster and Katharine McPhee have a combined net worth of $164 million, with the music composer accounting for $150 million out of the figure. Popularly known as The Hitman, Foster is one of the most illustrious composers and producers that the world has ever seen. In a career spanning six decades, he has created hit songs for famed artists such as Whitney Houston, Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Seal, Michael Bolton, and Andrea Bocelli. He has also been instrumental in discovering and launching the careers of superstars such as Celine Dion, Michael Bublé, and Josh Groban.
Foster has equally created evergreen soundtracks for movies such as The Bodyguard, Urban Cowboy, St. Elmo’s Fire, Stealing Home, and The Secret Of My Success. He has also composed songs for prominent sporting events such as the 1988 and 2002 editions of the Winter Olympics. All these gigs have paid him well and he has complimented it with earnings from his TV work. The multiple Grammy-winner has worked as a judge on TV shows such as Asia’s Got Talent and World’s Got Talent (China). That successful Asian stint also saw him end up as the global ambassador of AirAsia.
On the other hand, Katharine McPhee has garnered a net worth of $14 million from her singing and acting careers. The L.A. native first got into singing as a child and went on to feature in a string of musical productions and films. She then got her big break after finishing runners-up on the 2006 edition of American Idols. The fame from the show helped her to get her music career off the ground and she has gone on to drop about five studio albums. These albums have charted on the Billboard 200 and sold tens of thousands of copies.
Asides from music, the multi-talented McPhee is also an actress. She has featured in several movies and TV shows over the years, including The House Bunny, You May Not Kiss the Bride, Country Comfort, Smash, and Scorpion. She has also been tapped to serve as the brand ambassador of several companies, including Neutrogena, True Botanicals, Sexy Hair Concepts, and has been handsomely rewarded for her time. McPhee also has various real estate investments to her name, including a $1.4 million home in Toluca Lake and a $2.05 million place in studio city. She now ranks amongst one of the richest American Idols alum in the world.
The Couple May Have a Long History But They Only Became Romantically Involved in 2017
David Foster and Katharine McPhee have been romantically involved for only about five years now but have been friends for much longer. As the story goes, the two first met each other during McPhee’s run on American Idol in 2006. Foster helped her to prepare for her top six performance and by the time the show ended, he produced her first single. Working together predictably made them see each other’s good qualities and they became friends without further ado.
Their friendship grew closer over the years and by the time McPhee tied the knot with her boyfriend Nick Cokas in February 2008, Foster not only attended the event but also played the piano. The two would remain good friends for the next several years, collaborating on several projects together, including the 2008 single, “I Will Be There For You”. They also got each other through turbulent times such as McPhee’s divorce from Cokas in 2014 and Foster’s divorce from his third wife, Yolanda, in 2017.
Given all this, the duo inevitably developed a personal connection and decided to explore it. They began dating around May 2017 and got engaged the next year while vacationing in Italy (June 2018). They later tied the knot in a ceremony held in London on the 28th day of June 2019. The beautiful affair featured about 150 guests and the bride wore a Zac Posen Gown while her man wore a Stefano Ricci Tuxedo.
There is a 34-Year-Age Difference Between David Foster and Katharine McPhee
David Foster was born on the 1st day of November 1949 which makes him about 34 years older than McPhee who was born on the 25th of March 1984. Such a vast age difference has set tongues wagging with many suggesting that McPhee is only with Foster as a result of money and success. The American Idol alum has, however, dismissed this, maintaining that nothing more could be further than the truth. According to her, she was initially hesitant about dating David because of what people might think. She no longer cares about such opinions though but is rather focused on all the things they have in common. Foster on his own part accepts that the age gap can bring a marriage down but maintains that it is their problem and no one else’s. He also believes that their strong musical connection counts in their favor.
It is quite obvious that Katharine McPhee and David Foster love themselves very much and it is that love that has sustained their union. They have now gone on to welcome a son together. This is the first child for McPhee but the sixth for Foster who already has five daughters from his first three marriages; Allison (b. 1970), Amy (b. 1973), Sara (1981), Erin (1982), and Jordan (b. 1986). Interestingly enough, four of Foster’s daughters are older than McPhee while one is just about two years younger than her. Such proximity in age would usually lead to strained relations but the opposite has been the case. McPhee maintains good relations with her stepdaughters and has even been pictured rocking identical swimsuits with them.
They also have nothing but kind words to say about her. This is because her influence has helped changed their father’s style of parenting and pushed him to be more vulnerable and emotional, a fact that they are more than grateful for. It is such an impact that has made one of McPhee’s stepdaughters, Erin, describe her as awesome and amazing. According to Erin, McPhee is a positive addition to their lives and she and her sisters really like her. The fact that she makes their father happy also means that they are equally happy with her too. Foster, on his own part, is quite grateful that his wife and daughters get along as this makes the whole family dynamic easier.
How the Superstar Couple Stack Up Against Each Other
| Katherine McPhee | David Foster | |
| Age | 37 | 71 |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) | 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) |
| Nationality | U.S.A | Canada |
| Net Worth | $14 Million | $150 Million |
| No. of Movie Appearances | Seven | Nil |
| Albums | Five | Eight |
| Grammy Awards | Nil | 16 |
| Oscar Awards | Nil | Nil (Three nominations for best original song) |