Ingrid Lightfoot Influenced 2 Gordon Lightfoot Songs – Facts about the Musician’s Daughter

Ingrid Lightfoot grew to be a woman who spoke her mind, especially to her father, Gordon Lightfoot. She is the youngest of the late musician’s children, born in his first marriage. Although her father sadly passed this year, she once faced a scare when rumors spread that he had died nearly thirteen years ago.

Although Gordon Lightfoot’s daughter, Ingrid Lightfoot, didn’t follow in her father’s footsteps into the music industry, she sometimes had something to say about his songs. And Gordon often did well to listen. Ingrid was raised by a man hailed for his musical talent worldwide, but she was a lesser-known part of his life.

She led a private life, hidden from the spotlight. She found love, raised a family, and even became a grandmother. Ingrid also developed an unwavering love and compassion for animals and now works to protect them. She has also had a few pets that she sometimes writes sweet anecdotes about on her Facebook page.

Ingrid drew her first breath on December 31, 1965, and she is of Swedish descent. Her mother, Brita Olaisson, had relocated from Sweden to Toronto, Canada. Brita intended to learn English while working for a Swedish typewriter and office supply company. There, she met Gordon, the man who would become her husband.

Ingrid’s parents married in April 1963. About a year before she arrived, they had welcomed her older brother Fred. However, by the time Ingrid was born, Gordon and Brita’s marriage was falling apart. The two wanted different things in life, and that contributed to their relationship breakdown.

In addition, Gordon’s infidelities and his being on the road also put cracks in his union with Brita. They divorced in 1973, with Brita winning custody of Ingrid and her brother, $4500 in child support, and an additional $150,000 for a new home. During the court proceedings, Gordon had confessed to adultery.

Ingrid graduated from École secondaire Étienne-Brûlé, a high school in Toronto where French is the language of instruction. She enrolled at The Ontario Nail Institute, then studied at the Marvel Beauty School before ending her tertiary education at Centennial College. Under Work on her Facebook bio, it says “Animal Advocacy.”

Ingrid’s page is indeed an indication of her efforts; she posts petitions to shut down shelters known for animal abuse/neglect, helps furry companions find new homes, and shares little stories about her own. In May 2017, she posted a throwback photo of herself and her beloved dog, Bison. Bison joined her family at six months old, as she recalled:

“He was tied to a post at a shelter north of Toronto in the middle of the night at 6 months old…..but he was mine from the first day I saw him [red heart emoji] Turned out to be huge Lol!”

Amber was married to a man named Brad in 2014. Her mom celebrated her second wedding anniversary in 2016, but it appears that the marriage ended. Amber is now a mom of two and is romantically involved with a guy named Joey. Ingrid’s son, Johnny, attended Stouffville District Secondary School. Apart from his love for skating, little is known about his personal life.

Ingrid’s father was heading to the dentist when reports of his death went viral in 2010. His music boomed from several radio stations, but the rumor was soon abolished. Still, it was quite a scare for Ingrid, as Gordon recalled, “My eldest daughter, Ingrid, was very emotional about it in the evening. I had to talk to her on the phone. She was crying.”

Ingrid influenced two of them: “For Lovin Me” and “If You Could Read My Mind.” Ingrid said she didn’t want Gordon to sing “For Lovin’ Me” because the song made her angry, and she knew it was about her mother. Her dad also admitted that it was “chauvinistic.”

Years after Gordon released “If You Could Read My Mind,” Ingrid had him change the lyric “the feelings you lack” to “the feelings we lack” in the song. The singer had written it during his and Brita’s marriage breakdown. Ingrid knew this one was also about Brita, and with her observation that her parents’ relationship was a “two-way street,” she wanted the music to reflect that.