Yolanda Hadid is a name that resonates well beyond the reality television screen. Born in the Netherlands, she built a career as an international model before becoming one of the most recognisable faces on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Today, she is equally known as the mother of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid and as a vocal advocate for Lyme disease awareness.
Her life story weaves together farm-to-runway ambition, high-profile marriages, a public health battle, and a quiet but influential role as a grandmother. This article presents a fact-driven overview of her background, family, career, health journey, and current status — grounded in verified sources and clearly distinguishing what is known from what remains uncertain.
Yolanda Hadid’s Background: Age, Ethnicity, and Early Life
- Yolanda Hadid rose from a Dutch farm girl to an international model and reality TV personality.
- She is the mother of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid, both of whom credit her for their early careers.
- Her public battle with Lyme disease turned her into a prominent health advocate, leading to her memoir Believe Me.
- Despite divorces, she maintains close ties with her ex-husband Mohamed Hadid and their children.
- Yolanda continues to be active in interior design, social media, and occasional TV appearances.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Yolanda van den Herik |
| Date of Birth | January 11, 1964 |
| Place of Birth | Papendrecht, South Holland, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Dutch-American |
| Occupation | TV personality, former model, interior designer, author |
| Years Active | 1980–present (modeling 1980–1995) |
| Height | Approx. 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Spouses | Mohamed Hadid (1994–2000), David Foster (2011–2017) |
| Children | Gigi, Bella, Anwar Hadid; five stepdaughters |
| Notable TV Show | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (2012–2016) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $45 million (not officially confirmed) |
| Religion | Christian (raised Christian) |
Yolanda Hadid’s Family: Husband, Daughters, and Marriage History
Yolanda married Palestinian real-estate developer Mohamed Hadid in 1994; they divorced in 2000. The couple had three children: Gigi Hadid (born April 23, 1995), Bella Hadid (born October 9, 1996), and Anwar Hadid (born June 22, 1999). All three have pursued modelling careers, with Gigi and Bella becoming two of the most recognisable names in fashion.
Her second marriage was to Canadian music producer David Foster on November 11, 2011 — the date 11-11-11 became a well-known detail in media coverage. They divorced in 2017. Through this marriage she gained five stepdaughters, including Marielle Zane Hadid and Alana Amal Hadid.
Is Yolanda Hadid Still Married?
No. She has been divorced twice and, as of 2019, was reported to be dating construction manager Joseph Jingoli. No new reports have emerged in 2026 confirming a marriage or engagement.
Yolanda’s Daughters in the Spotlight
Yolanda has frequently spoken about guiding Gigi and Bella through their early careers. Both daughters have acknowledged her influence. The family dynamic became a subject of public interest during Yolanda’s tenure on RHOBH and later through the daughters’ own fame. Like Kris Jenner, Yolanda has been described as a mother-manager figure, though she has not taken an official management role.
Yolanda became a grandmother in September 2020 when Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik welcomed their daughter Khai Malik. She often refers to herself as “Oma,” a Dutch nickname for grandmother.
Yolanda Hadid’s Career: From Model to Reality TV Star
Was Yolanda Hadid a Model?
Yes. She was discovered at age 16 by Eileen Ford after stepping in for a model at a show by Dutch designer Frans Molenaar. She modelled internationally for 15 years, working in cities such as Paris, Milan, Sydney, Tokyo, New York, and Hamburg. She moved to Los Angeles in 1994 and retired from full-time modelling to start her family.
What TV Show Is Yolanda Hadid Known For?
She starred as a leading personality on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills from 2012 to 2016. Her time on the show brought her Lyme disease struggle into the public eye and made her a household name. In 2018, she hosted and executive-produced the reality competition Making a Model with Yolanda Hadid on Lifetime. She also published her memoir Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease in 2017.
What Is Yolanda Hadid’s Net Worth?
The provided sources do not contain an official figure. While her daughters Gigi and Bella are among the world’s wealthiest models, and Yolanda has earned income from RHOBH, her memoir, and modelling, no verified dollar amount exists in public records. Estimates circulating online, including a $45 million figure, remain unconfirmed. As with other reality TV figures such as Teresa Giudice, net worth is often speculative.
Yolanda Hadid’s Health: Lyme Disease and Advocacy
Yolanda was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012. In December of that year she implanted a port in her arm for treatment and had it removed in April 2013. The illness had severe neurological effects: in January 2015 she revealed she had lost the ability to read, write, or watch television as a consequence of the disease.
She reported being in remission in October 2019. However, more recent headlines indicate she experienced a relapse after a hiatus, though the exact date of that relapse is not specified in the available sources.
Yolanda Hadid’s Lyme disease diagnosis is well-documented through her memoir, interviews, and social media. The chronic nature of the illness means that periods of remission can be followed by relapse, but specific medical details beyond what she has shared publicly are not independently verifiable.
Yolanda Hadid in 2026: Current Projects and Future Plans
No major public announcements have been made regarding Yolanda Hadid’s activities in 2026. Based on her Instagram presence and sporadic media mentions, she continues to focus on interior design projects and her role as a grandmother. She remains active as a Lyme disease advocate, occasionally sharing updates about her health journey.
There are no confirmed television projects, new books, or business ventures for 2026. Rumours about a return to reality TV or a new relationship remain unsubstantiated and unattributed to any official source.
Timeline of Key Life Events
- : Born in Papendrecht, Netherlands
- : Begins modelling career with Ford Models
- : Marries Mohamed Hadid
- : Daughter Gigi Hadid is born
- : Daughter Bella Hadid is born
- : Divorce from Mohamed Hadid
- : Marries David Foster
- : Joins The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills; diagnosed with Lyme disease
- : Divorce from David Foster; publishes memoir Believe Me
- : Becomes grandmother (Khai Malik)
- : Continues advocacy and interior design, no major public projects confirmed
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear
| Claim | Certainty | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Yolanda Hadid has Lyme disease | Confirmed — publicly documented | Memoir, interviews |
| Net worth is $45 million | Uncertain — no official disclosure | Celebrity net worth estimates |
| Returning to reality TV | Speculative — no announcement | Rumours; no network confirmation |
| Engaged or remarried | Unsubstantiated — no credible reports | Tabioid speculation |
Cultural Context and Impact
Yolanda Hadid’s influence extends beyond her own career. She played an instrumental part in shaping the early careers of her daughters, Gigi and Bella, who now dominate the fashion industry. Her parenting style — sometimes described as strict and discipline-oriented — has been compared to that of other celebrity mothers, such as Kris Jenner. The public has watched these dynamics play out across social media and reality television.
Her openness about chronic Lyme disease has also contributed to broader awareness, even as the condition remains medically controversial. Yolanda has used her platform to advocate for patients, though some medical professionals caution that the term “chronic Lyme” is not universally accepted. Her advocacy has nonetheless sparked conversation and support among sufferers.
Yolanda’s journey from a farm in the Netherlands to the red carpets of Hollywood is a story of reinvention. She retired from modelling at 30, turned to interior design, and later found fame on reality TV — all while raising three children who would become global fashion icons.
Sources and Notable Quotes
“I was a warrior in a body that was failing me.” — Yolanda Hadid, Believe Me
“Dutch by birth, Global by Heart.” — Yolanda Hadid, Instagram bio
General biographical details are drawn from Wikipedia – Yolanda Hadid. Her tenure on RHOBH is detailed on the BravoTV official profile. Additional interviews and updates are available via People.com – Yolanda Hadid news archive and her Instagram. Yolanda’s memoir Believe Me is available through major booksellers including Amazon.
Summary: A Life of Reinvention and Resilience
Yolanda Hadid’s story is one of adaptability — from Dutch farm girl to globe-trotting model, from reality TV star to health advocate and grandmother. While her public profile has quietened in 2026, her influence continues through her daughters’ careers, her design work, and her ongoing Lyme disease awareness efforts. The facts of her life are well documented; the rumours that occasionally surface remain largely unsubstantiated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Yolanda Hadid?
Yolanda Hadid is approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm), typical for a former model.
What is Yolanda Hadid’s religion?
She was raised in a Christian household and identifies as Christian, though she has not publicly emphasised specific religious practices.
Does Yolanda Hadid have any siblings?
Yes, she has two sisters: Alana Hadid (fashion designer) and Marielle Hadid.
Is Yolanda Hadid still married to David Foster?
No, they divorced in 2017. She was married to David Foster from 2011 to 2017, and before that to Mohamed Hadid (1994–2000).
What is Yolanda Hadid’s real name?
Her birth name is Yolanda van den Herik. She used the surname Foster during her marriage to David Foster, but now goes by Hadid.
How many children does Yolanda Hadid have?
She has three biological children — Gigi, Bella, and Anwar Hadid — and five stepdaughters from her marriages.
What is Yolanda Hadid’s nationality?
She is Dutch-American, holding dual citizenship.
Did Yolanda Hadid write a book?
Yes, she published Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease in 2017.
Is Yolanda Hadid active on social media?
Yes, she posts regularly on Instagram under the handle @yolanda.hadid, sharing family moments, design work, and advocacy.
What is Yolanda Hadid’s connection to the fashion industry?
She was a model for 15 years, and her daughters Gigi and Bella are supermodels. She also hosted a modelling competition show on Lifetime.
Amelia Grant is Technology & Media Editor at NewsPrism.co.uk, covering AI, platforms, cybersecurity, consumer tech and the media landscape.