Nicki Lee Foster was the daughter of legendary singer Peggy Lee and guitarist Dave Barbour. She died on Friday, November 14, 2023, at the age of 71. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the cause of death was complications from a stroke that she suffered at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center in Twin Falls, Idaho.
A Life in Music and Theater
Nicki Lee Foster was born in Los Angeles in 1952. She grew up surrounded by music, as her parents were both prominent figures in the jazz and pop scene. Her mother, Peggy Lee, was known for her sultry voice and hits such as “Fever”, “Is That All There Is?” and “Manana”. Her father, Dave Barbour, was a guitarist, composer and bandleader who collaborated with Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Charlie Parker.
Nicki Lee Foster followed her parents’ footsteps and pursued a career in music and theater. She moved to New York in 1983 to help her mother mount the autobiographical musical Peg on Broadway. She later directed children’s community theater and starred in stage and radio productions in Sun Valley, Idaho. She also served as the director emeritus of Peggy Lee Associates, the company that managed the branding, licensing and development activities related to her mother and her catalog of more than 1,100 songs.
A Loving Family and a Legacy
Nicki Lee Foster was married twice and had three children: David, Michael and Holly. She also had four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was close to her family and often visited them in Los Angeles and New York. She was especially proud of her daughter, Holly Foster Wells, who took over the Peggy Lee Associates and continued to preserve and promote her grandmother’s legacy.
Nicki Lee Foster was remembered by her family and friends as a kind, generous and creative person who loved music, theater and nature. She was also a passionate advocate for recovery and mental health, as she struggled with addiction and depression in her life. She helped establish The Sun Club, a nonprofit recovery fellowship and resource center in Sun Valley. She also supported various charities and causes, such as the Peggy Lee Cancer Research Foundation, the American Heart Association and the Humane Society.
Nicki Lee Foster’s death was mourned by many fans and admirers of her mother and her family. She was buried next to her parents at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. She left behind a rich and diverse legacy of music, theater and philanthropy that will continue to inspire generations to come.
