Red Hot Chili Peppers is nothing without its drummer, Chad Smith. The 64-year-old musician is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a six-time Grammy Award winner, and has sold over 80 million albums worldwide.
But, it's his life at home with his children that is what Chad is most proud of. The drummer is a father-of-five, with one of his daughters following in her dad's footsteps. Here's everything you need to know about Chad and his five children.
© ABC via Getty ImagesAva Maybee Cardoso Smith
Ava Maybee Cardoso Smith was born on February 19, 2001 to Chad and Trisha Cardoso. Ever since she was five, Ava has been singing and performing. In 2022, she was a contestant on season 20 of American Idol. Ava made it all the way to the top 14, but was eliminated after performing "Sign of the Times" by Harry Styles.
© Getty ImagesAva's pop career
While she didn't win her season of American Idol, Ava has released several singles, including "Colors," "Lay Law," and "See Me Now." On January 16, she released "I Pray For Composure," announcing the single to her 70,000 Instagram followers.
Ava wrote: "One of my favorite songs we have ever made. So glad it's yours." The singer has also covered her dad's songs on social media, singing to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' hit song "Universally Speaking."
Chad's support of Ava
Chad is a proud dad to all of his children. He routinely shares his support of Ava to social media, encouraging his fans and followers to stream her music. In 2023, the drummer posted to Instagram: "Check out the song Puke from @avamaybee. Josh and I helped out."
© Getty ImagesManon St. John Smith
Ava's older sister, Manon St. John Smith, was born on March 3, 1997 in Pasadena, California to Chad and his then-wife Maria St. John. The couple was together from 1992 to 1997. While Chad and Ava embrace life in the public eye, Manon is much more private with no known social media presence.
© Getty ImagesChad's sons: Cole, Justin, and Beckett
In 2004, Chad married his second wife, Nancy Mack. The couple are parents of three sons – Cole Smith, Justin Smith, and Beckett Smith. Like their older sister Manon, there is not much publicly known about Chad's sons Cole and Justin, but Beckett seems to be following in his footsteps.
In a video posted to Instagram in November 2025, Beckett and Chad played the drums together, both wearing baseball hats. Fans flooded the comments writing: "That's how you do it!"
