If you’ve followed the Hadid family in the headlines, you know Yolanda Hadid is more than just the mother of supermodels Gigi and Bella. She’s a former model, a reality TV star, and a vocal advocate for Lyme disease awareness—a condition that has shaped her public narrative for over a decade. Her story took new turns in recent years, from a high-profile divorce to a legal dispute involving her daughter’s ex, Zayn Malik.
Full name: Yolanda Hadid ·
Born: January 11, 1964 ·
Nationality: Dutch ·
Known for: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills ·
Children: Gigi and Bella Hadid ·
Health condition: Lyme disease
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012 (E! Online (celebrity news outlet))
- Divorced David Foster in 2017 (People (entertainment news))
- Zayn Malik pleaded no contest to harassment charges in 2021 (BBC News (public broadcaster))
- Exact divorce settlement amount – widely speculated but no official figure (People (entertainment news))
- Current relationship status with David Foster – they maintain distance (Global News (Canadian news outlet))
- Specific trigger of the 2021 Zayn Malik argument – court details remain sealed (BBC News (public broadcaster))
- October 2024: Yolanda reported Lyme symptoms improved during a 28-day cleanse (Yahoo Entertainment (digital news platform))
- September 2025: Yolanda spoke about watching Bella Hadid suffer from Lyme (People (entertainment news))
- Continued Lyme management and advocacy via social media (Bravo TV (reality TV network))
- Ongoing family dynamics with daughters Gigi and Bella and their careers (People (entertainment news))
Eight facts, one pattern: Yolanda Hadid’s public life is defined by health battles, family ties, and legal headlines.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Yolanda Hadid |
| Birthdate | January 11, 1964 |
| Birthplace | Papendrecht, Netherlands |
| Profession | TV personality, former model |
| Children | Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid |
| Spouse (ex) | David Foster (m. 2011; div. 2017) |
| Notable for | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills |
| Health condition | Lyme disease |
What happened to Yolanda Hadid?
Early life and career
- Born in Papendrecht, Netherlands, Yolanda began modeling in the 1990s with Ford Models (BBC News (public broadcaster)).
- She gained mainstream recognition as a star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills from 2012 to 2016 (Bravo TV (reality TV network)).
Health struggles with Lyme disease
Yolanda publicly disclosed her Lyme disease diagnosis in 2012, a condition that also affects her daughters Gigi and Bella. In July 2022, she shared on social media that she had experienced a relapse and struggled with depression (E! Online (celebrity news outlet)). She continues to manage symptoms through lifestyle measures; in October 2024 she noted that a 28-day cleanse had helped reduce symptoms (Yahoo Entertainment (digital news platform)).
The implication: Her life remains under public scrutiny as each new health update or legal wrinkle draws media attention.
Why did David Foster leave Yolanda Hadid?
Divorce timeline and reasons
- Yolanda married composer David Foster in 2011 after meeting through mutual friends (People (entertainment news)).
- They separated in 2016 and finalized divorce in 2017; Foster cited irreconcilable differences (Global News (Canadian news outlet)).
Divorce settlement amount
Reports at the time indicated a multi-million-dollar settlement, but the exact figure has never been officially confirmed. Both parties have moved on without ongoing legal entanglements.
Yolanda gained financial independence from the settlement but lost the high-profile partnership that kept her in the tabloids during her Housewives years.
What this means: The divorce reshaped her public identity from society wife to solo entrepreneur.
How is Yolanda doing now?
Lyme disease update
- In September 2025, Yolanda commented publicly on Bella Hadid’s Lyme struggles, saying she finds it “difficult watching Bella suffer” (People (entertainment news)).
- She maintains an active presence on Instagram, where she positions herself as a “Lyme warrior” and shares wellness tips (Bravo TV (reality TV network)).
Current lifestyle and activities
Yolanda authored the memoir Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease in 2017. She continues to do interior design work and occasionally appears at events. She lives in Pennsylvania on a farm, focusing on health and family.
Yolanda’s social media channels are the primary source for her health updates, but due to the personal nature of these posts, they lack independent medical verification.
The catch: Her wellness claims often generate headlines but are not backed by clinical studies.
How did Yolanda Hadid get so rich?
Modeling career
- She started with Ford Models in the 1990s and did catalog and runway work (BBC News (public broadcaster)).
- Her modeling earnings, while not disclosed, provided a foundation for later ventures.
Television income
- Appearing on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for four seasons brought substantial paychecks; cast members typically earned six figures per season (Bravo TV (reality TV network)).
Business ventures
- She runs an interior design business and earned from book sales. Exact net worth is not publicly confirmed, but estimates range from $45 million to $50 million.
Yolanda’s wealth comes from a mix of modeling, TV, design, and a generous divorce settlement—she didn’t need a single hit career to build her fortune.
The pattern: Multiple income streams, none of which are fully transparent, create a fuzzy net-worth picture.
Do Gigi and Bella talk to Yolanda?
Relationship with daughters
- Gigi and Bella Hadid are Yolanda’s daughters from her first marriage to Mohamed Hadid. All three maintain close public relationships, often sharing family moments on social media (Bravo TV (reality TV network)).
- Yolanda has spoken openly about supporting Bella through her Lyme disease, describing the experience as “heartbreaking” (People (entertainment news)).
Zayn Malik harassment case impact
- In October 2021, Zayn Malik pleaded no contest to four counts of harassment after an alleged altercation with Yolanda at their Pennsylvania home (BBC News (public broadcaster)).
- The incident reportedly involved Zayn shoving Yolanda to a dresser during a dispute about Gigi and their daughter (People (entertainment news)).
- The couple (Zayn and Gigi) ended their relationship around that time, though they co-parent their daughter (Global News (Canadian news outlet)).
What this means: The family remains close-knit despite external legal turbulence.
Timeline
- 1964: Born in Papendrecht, Netherlands.
- 1990s: Modeling career with Ford Models.
- 2010–2012: Married David Foster.
- 2012: Joined The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and publicly disclosed Lyme disease diagnosis.
- 2017: Divorced David Foster; published memoir Believe Me.
- 2021: Zayn Malik pleaded no contest to harassment charges involving Yolanda and Gigi (BBC News (public broadcaster)).
- 2022: Yolanda shared Lyme relapse and depression struggle (E! Online (celebrity news outlet)).
- 2024: October – Yolanda reported symptom improvement on a cleanse (Yahoo Entertainment (digital news platform)).
- 2025: September – Yolanda spoke about Bella’s Lyme suffering (People (entertainment news)).
Clarity
Confirmed facts
- Yolanda Hadid is a Dutch TV personality and former model (BBC News (public broadcaster)).
- She starred on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Bravo TV (reality TV network)).
- She has Lyme disease and wrote a book about it (E! Online (celebrity news outlet)).
- She divorced David Foster in 2017 (Global News (Canadian news outlet)).
- Zayn Malik pleaded no contest to harassment charges involving Yolanda and Gigi Hadid (2021) (BBC News (public broadcaster)).
What’s unclear
- Exact amount of divorce settlement (widely reported but not officially confirmed).
- Current status of relationship with David Foster (they are not publicly close).
- Specific details of the Zayn Malik incident beyond the plea.
Quotes
“My Lyme symptoms were at a minimum when I was on a 28-day cleanse.”
Yolanda Hadid, via Instagram as reported by Yahoo Entertainment (digital news platform)
“It is difficult watching Bella suffer with Lyme disease.”
Yolanda Hadid, quoted by People (entertainment news)
Yolanda Hadid’s journey—from Dutch model to reality TV star to Lyme advocate—has been marked by health challenges, family bonds, and public legal disputes. For anyone tracking her story, the key takeaway is a woman who continues to navigate chronic illness while staying connected to her famous daughters and sharing her perspective on wellness.
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A comprehensive overview of Yolanda Hadids health and family offers further context on her life after reality TV.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Yolanda Hadid live?
She currently resides on a farm in Pennsylvania, focusing on her health and family.
How old is Yolanda Hadid?
She was born on January 11, 1964, making her 61 years old as of 2025.
What is Yolanda Hadid’s Instagram handle?
She uses the handle @yolanda.hadid on Instagram, where she posts about Lyme advocacy and family.
Did Yolanda Hadid write a book?
Yes, she authored Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease in 2017.
What is Yolanda Hadid’s religion?
She was raised Muslim but does not publicly practice; she identifies as spiritual.
Is Yolanda Hadid still modeling?
No, she retired from modeling to focus on interior design and television, then health advocacy.
What is Yolanda Hadid’s net worth?
Exact net worth is not confirmed, but estimates range from $45 million to $50 million, accumulated through modeling, TV, design, and a divorce settlement.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.