The Enduring Legacy Of David Foster & Linda Thompson's Love Story

Mario Pfannerstill 29 May 2025

**In the glittering, often tumultuous world of Hollywood and music, certain relationships capture the public's imagination, leaving an indelible mark long after they conclude. Among these, the partnership of David Foster and Linda Thompson stands out as a fascinating chapter, not just for its duration but for the intricate web of personal and professional connections it forged. Their story is a compelling blend of artistic collaboration, blended family dynamics, and the candid revelations that only time and reflection can bring.** Beyond the headlines and red carpets, the union of David Foster and Linda Thompson represented a significant period in both their lives. Their marriage, spanning over a decade, was a cornerstone during a pivotal time for the music industry and for their respective families. This article delves deep into their journey, exploring their individual paths, the synergy that brought them together, the challenges they faced, and the lasting impact of their shared history. --- ## Table of Contents * [Linda Thompson: A Life Woven Through Hollywood's Tapestry](#linda-thompson-a-life-woven-through-hollywoods-tapestry) * [Before Foster: The Bruce Jenner Chapter](#before-foster-the-bruce-jenner-chapter) * [David Foster's Musical Prowess and Personal Journey](#david-fosters-musical-prowess-and-personal-journey) * [The Union of David Foster and Linda Thompson: A Decade and More](#the-union-of-david-foster-and-linda-thompson-a-decade-and-more) * [Family Dynamics and Stepparenting](#family-dynamics-and-stepparenting) * [The Unraveling: Reasons Behind the David Foster Linda Thompson Divorce](#the-unraveling-reasons-behind-the-david-foster-linda-thompson-divorce) * ["A Little Thing Called Life": Linda Thompson's Candid Memoir](#a-little-thing-called-life-linda-thompsons-candid-memoir) * [Life After Divorce: New Chapters and Lingering Connections](#life-after-divorce-new-chapters-and-lingering-connections) * [The Lasting Impact of David Foster and Linda Thompson's Shared History](#the-lasting-impact-of-david-foster-and-linda-thompsons-shared-history) --- ## Linda Thompson: A Life Woven Through Hollywood's Tapestry Linda Diane Thompson, born on May 23, 1950, in Memphis, Tennessee, has lived a life that reads like a captivating Hollywood script. Before she became a renowned American songwriter and former actress, she first garnered attention as a beauty pageant winner. Her early career saw her charming audiences as a "Hee Haw Honey" on the popular American television variety show, *Hee Haw*, showcasing her natural charisma and beauty. Linda's love life has been particularly legendary, drawing significant public interest long before her marriage to David Foster. She was famously a girlfriend of Elvis Presley, a relationship that placed her squarely in the spotlight of rock and roll royalty. Following her time with Elvis, she married Olympic decathlon champion Bruce Jenner, a union that would bring her two sons and further cement her place in the public eye. It was after her divorce from Jenner (then known as Bruce Jenner) that she would find love again with music producer David Foster. Her journey through these high-profile relationships, each unique and impactful, speaks volumes about her resilience and ability to navigate the complexities of fame and personal life. ### Personal Data & Biodata: Linda Thompson

Attribute	Detail
Full Name	Linda Diane Thompson
Date of Birth	May 23, 1950
Place of Birth	Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Nationality	American
Occupations	Songwriter, Former Actress, Beauty Pageant Winner
Notable Relationships	Elvis Presley (girlfriend), Bruce Jenner/Caitlyn Jenner (ex-husband), David Foster (ex-husband)
Children	Brandon Jenner, Brody Jenner (with Bruce Jenner)
Memoir	"A Little Thing Called Life" (2016)

### Before Foster: The Bruce Jenner Chapter Before marrying David Foster in 1991, Linda Thompson was linked to Olympic decathlete Bruce Jenner. The two wed in Hawaii in 1981, embarking on a marriage that brought them two sons, Brandon and Brody Jenner. This period of Linda's life was marked by her role as a mother and wife to a celebrated athlete, navigating the unique pressures that come with such a public family dynamic. The children from this marriage would later play a significant role in the blended family created when Linda married David Foster. ## David Foster's Musical Prowess and Personal Journey David Foster, a 75-year-old Canadian musician, composer, arranger, record producer, and music executive, is a titan in the music industry. His career spans decades, marked by an astonishing array of hits and collaborations with some of the world's biggest artists. From crafting iconic movie soundtracks like *Urban Cowboy*, *Two of a Kind*, *Ghostbusters*, and *The Karate Kid Part II*, to producing chart-topping albums, Foster's influence on popular music is undeniable. He has won 16 Grammy Awards, a testament to his unparalleled talent and Midas touch in the studio. Foster's personal life, much like his professional one, has been equally eventful. His marriage to Linda Thompson was his third. Prior to Linda, David was married to Rebecca Foster, his second wife, whom he divorced in 1986. From this marriage, he has three daughters: Sara, Erin, and Jordan. The dynamics of his growing family, including the eventual blending with Linda's children, would become a central theme in his life and, later, in public discussions surrounding his relationships. David's status as a single man after his second divorce lasted barely a year before he moved in with his third wife, Linda Thompson, indicating a desire for companionship and family. ## The Union of David Foster and Linda Thompson: A Decade and More The paths of David Foster and Linda Thompson converged in 1990. They dated for one year before tying the knot on June 27, 1991. Their marriage would become David's longest, lasting for more than a decade until their official parting ways in 2005. Specifically, their divorce was finalized on July 11, 2005, marking the end of a 14-year union. Their partnership was not just romantic but also professionally fruitful. Both accomplished individuals in the entertainment industry, they collaborated on several notable musical projects. For instance, they co-wrote "Voices That Care," a powerful 1991 song recorded by a supergroup of popular musicians, entertainers, and athletes, aimed at supporting troops in the Persian Gulf War. This collaboration showcased their shared talent and philanthropic spirit. Furthermore, their creative synergy extended to other significant works. They were instrumental in crafting "The Power of the Dream," a song performed by Canadian singer Celine Dion, released as a single in Japan on August 20, 1996. This song, written and produced by David Foster and Linda Thompson, further solidified their reputation as a formidable songwriting duo. Their collaborative efforts even extended to considering a new song entitled "One World One Dream" as the theme for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a testament to their continued creative partnership even as their personal relationship evolved. The shared creative output of David Foster and Linda Thompson during their marriage highlights a deep artistic connection that went beyond their personal bond. ### Family Dynamics and Stepparenting One of the most compelling aspects of the marriage between David Foster and Linda Thompson was the blending of their families. David became a stepfather to Thompson’s children with Jenner, Brandon and Brody. He raised the Jenner boys during his marriage to their mother, Linda Thompson, taking on a significant parental role. This dynamic, however, was not without its complexities, particularly for David's biological daughters. Sara, 39, Erin, 37, and Jordan, 34 (at the time of a particular revelation), were kids when David divorced their mother, his second wife Rebecca Foster, in 1986, and moved in with Linda Thompson shortly thereafter. The Foster sisters have openly discussed their complicated family dynamics. On the "Sibling Revelry" podcast, one of them revealed struggling following her parents' divorce, especially seeing David dote on stepsons Brandon and Brody Jenner after he married Linda. This candid admission sheds light on the challenges inherent in blended families, where love and attention can sometimes feel unevenly distributed, leading to resentment among biological children. The story of David Foster and Linda Thompson, therefore, is also a narrative about the intricate emotional landscape of modern families. ## The Unraveling: Reasons Behind the David Foster Linda Thompson Divorce After 14 years of marriage, David Foster and Linda Thompson officially parted ways in 2005. Linda Thompson cited "irreconcilable differences" in papers filed in Los Angeles, seeking a divorce from music producer David Foster, as reported by the television show *Celebrity Justice*. While "irreconcilable differences" is a common legal ground for divorce, Linda Thompson later offered more nuanced insights into the reasons behind their separation in her memoir. In her book, "A Little Thing Called Life," Thompson revealed that she felt "trapped" in the marriage. More specifically, she disclosed that David Foster was "jealous" of her exes and that he expected his wife to cater to his needs and desires. These revelations paint a picture of a relationship where personal insecurities and unmet expectations contributed to its eventual dissolution. The pressure of balancing his past relationships with her own, coupled with a perceived imbalance in the marital dynamic, ultimately led to the decision to end their union. The narrative of David Foster Linda Thompson's divorce, therefore, goes beyond a simple legal separation, delving into the emotional complexities that led to their split. ## "A Little Thing Called Life": Linda Thompson's Candid Memoir In 2016, Linda Thompson released her memoir titled "A Little Thing Called Life." This book quickly became a *New York Times* bestseller, lauded for its candidness and compassionate tone. Her memoir has been critically acclaimed as "kind-spirited and fascinating," offering readers an intimate look into her extraordinary life. One of the key reasons for the book's success and its critical reception was Thompson's willingness to share deeply personal stories, including those concerning her relationships with Elvis Presley, Caitlyn Jenner (then Bruce Jenner), and David Foster. Notably, she chose to publish the memoir only after Caitlyn Jenner publicly came out, demonstrating a respectful approach to sensitive personal information she had harbored for 32 years. Within the pages of "A Little Thing Called Life," Thompson provided invaluable insights into her marriage with David Foster. As mentioned, she revealed feeling "trapped" and detailed Foster's jealousy regarding her past relationships, particularly his expectation that she cater to his needs. These revelations were not made with malice but rather with a reflective and honest tone, offering her perspective on the challenges they faced as a couple. The memoir serves as a crucial piece of the puzzle in understanding the full scope of the David Foster Linda Thompson relationship, offering a window into the private struggles that often remain hidden behind public personas. ## Life After Divorce: New Chapters and Lingering Connections Following their 2005 divorce, both David Foster and Linda Thompson embarked on new chapters in their lives. David Foster's status as a single man lasted barely a year before he found love again. He would later marry Katharine McPhee, his current wife, a union that garnered significant media attention due to their age difference (Foster is 68 while McPhee is half his age, as per the data). Linda Thompson, despite the complexities of her past relationships, has consistently shown grace and positivity. The former actress spoke with *Us Weekly* exclusively about the music producer’s engagement to Katharine McPhee, stating that she was happy about his engagement. However, she also expressed a concern about their age gap, a sentiment that reflects a caring, albeit cautious, perspective on her ex-husband's new marriage. This demonstrates Linda's capacity for moving forward with empathy and a continued connection to those who have been significant in her life. Even after having had three marriages in total, Linda Thompson continues to engage with the public and reflect on her experiences. She recently spoke with *People* about her relationships with her exes at Cure Addiction Now’s inaugural fundraising evening on a Monday, showcasing her ongoing commitment to public life and her willingness to share her journey for broader benefit. Her ability to maintain a dignified and thoughtful stance on her past, including her marriage to David Foster, speaks to her character and resilience. ## The Lasting Impact of David Foster and Linda Thompson's Shared History The story of David Foster and Linda Thompson is more than just a celebrity marriage; it's a narrative rich with personal growth, artistic collaboration, and the complexities of modern family life. Their 14-year union left an undeniable mark on both their individual trajectories and the broader entertainment landscape. Professionally, their joint songwriting efforts produced memorable and impactful songs that resonated with audiences globally, from charitable anthems to Olympic themes. This shared creative legacy underscores a profound connection that transcended their romantic relationship. On a personal level, their marriage forged a blended family, bringing together children from previous relationships. While this presented its own set of challenges, as candidly revealed by Foster's daughters, it also shaped the lives of Brandon and Brody Jenner, who were raised by David during this period. The willingness of both David and Linda to later discuss these dynamics openly, particularly in Linda's memoir, offers valuable insights into the realities of modern family structures. Linda Thompson's reflections on her marriage to David Foster, particularly her insights into the emotional aspects that led to their divorce, provide a humanizing perspective on public figures. Her memoir serves as a testament to her strength and her ability to find peace and understanding in her past. Ultimately, the story of David Foster and Linda Thompson is a testament to the enduring human capacity for love, collaboration, and resilience. Their journey, marked by both triumphs and tribulations, continues to fascinate and inform, reminding us that even in the most public of lives, there are profound personal narratives waiting to be understood. --- ## Conclusion The relationship between David Foster and Linda Thompson, spanning over a decade, was a significant chapter in the lives of two prominent figures in entertainment. From their collaborative songwriting efforts to the intricate dynamics of their blended family, their story is a compelling blend of professional synergy and personal complexities. Linda Thompson's candid memoir offered invaluable insights into the challenges they faced, including feelings of being "trapped" and Foster's reported jealousy. Despite their eventual divorce in 2005, both David and Linda have moved forward, navigating new relationships and continuing their respective careers with grace. Linda's public support for David's current marriage, even while voicing concerns, speaks volumes about her character and ability to foster respectful connections with her past. The legacy of David Foster and Linda Thompson is not just one of a dissolved marriage, but of shared creative achievements, the molding of a unique family, and a testament to the enduring journey of self-discovery and reflection. What are your thoughts on the enduring legacy of David Foster and Linda Thompson? Share your comments below! If you found this article insightful, consider exploring other stories about iconic figures in music and entertainment on our site.