There’s something truly magical about the way Delilah connects with her listeners. Since launching her career in the '80s, this legendary radio host has built an incredible fanbase across the U.S., sharing not just music but also her heart and soul with millions. Over the years, Delilah hasn’t shied away from opening up about her personal life, including her journey as a mother, the joys of raising a large family, and the heart-wrenching losses that have shaped her story.
Delilah's Big Family: How Many Kids Does She Have?
Delilah’s family is nothing short of extraordinary. She’s a mother to 15 children—some biological, others adopted—through the course of four marriages. Now, when she talks about her kids, she often says, “I have 13 here and a couple in heaven.” That poignant statement came during an episode of the “People Every Day” podcast in April 2021, where she opened up about the challenges and blessings of being a mom to such a large family.
Delilah became a mom for the first time at the age of 24 when her son Isaiah was born. A decade later, in 1996, she welcomed her daughter Shaylah. But her family grew even bigger when she adopted three children from foster care. In the midst of the adoption process, she discovered she was pregnant again. “I went from having two biological kids to having six children in just one year,” Delilah shared with CBN, adding that she always dreamed of having a large family. Her dream became a reality, though it came with its own set of challenges and blessings.
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While Delilah has shared glimpses of her family life, she keeps much of it private, especially when it comes to her younger children. One thing we do know is that she chose to raise her family on a farm, which seems to be the perfect environment for her brood. “It’s a whole lot of fried potatoes, a whole lot of love, and a whole lot of cooking,” Delilah told Fox News in September 2019. “We probably go through four or five loads of laundry every single day, and we easily use 10 pounds of potatoes a week. Even though I’m not eating carbs, the kids love their food. I try to cook at least one or two homemade meals for them every day, so there’s always a lot of food and a lot of laughter around here.”
Heartbreaking Losses: Delilah’s Family Tragedies
No one can truly prepare for the pain of losing a child, but Delilah has faced this unimaginable heartbreak not once, but multiple times. In 2012, she lost her son Sammy to complications from sickle-cell anemia. He was just 16 years old. Five years later, in 2017, she mourned the loss of her son Zachariah, who died by suicide at the age of 18. And in 2019, Delilah suffered another loss with the passing of her stepson Ryan.
“When you lose a child, if you don’t have some kind of coping mechanism, you’re not going to make it through,” Delilah explained, her voice heavy with emotion. But she didn’t let the grief consume her. Instead, she sought help, visiting a grief counselor and finding solace in the words of others who understood her pain. Musician Rory Feek was one of those who reached out to her, offering words of comfort that changed her perspective. “Right after Zack passed, Rory sent me a message that really shifted my mindset,” she recalled. “He told me, ‘Your boys are much more a part of your future than they are a part of your past.’”
“‘Because you know where they are,’” Delilah continued, her voice tinged with hope. “‘And because your hope is in the Lord, you know you’ll be with them again. So now you will look forward to that day with great anticipation. You won’t ever fear death again. You will look forward to it, because you know where they are.’” Those words became a lifeline for Delilah, helping her find peace amidst the storm.
Where Is Delilah Now?
Even after all she’s been through, Delilah continues to inspire her fans with her strength and resilience. In February 2024, she made a heartfelt appearance on TikTok, where fans flooded the comments section with messages of love and support. In one particularly viral video, she showed off her baking skills by making a loaf of bread. But she also shared a candid moment, explaining that she wasn’t supposed to be eating bread, sugar, pasta, or rice due to health concerns. “But that’s OK because I want to live a long time,” she told her followers. “I have a 7-year-old. That means I have to get my triglycerides down and my blood pressure under control so I can be around for him and his sisters and brothers—and, of course, to keep doing my radio show for years to come.”
