Before the Newmans and the Abbotts ruled Genoa City, The Young and the Restless was built on the powerful and emotional stories of two core families: the Brooks and the Fosters. While many newer fans might not even recognize those names, their legacy is the foundation upon which the entire Y&R universe was created — and it’s time to uncover the secrets that have long been buried.
The Brooks family, led by newspaper magnate Stuart Brooks, represented prestige, wealth, and media power. With four daughters — Leslie, Lorie, Chris, and Peggy — the Brooks clan faced scandal, sibling rivalries, and forbidden love affairs that shocked viewers week after week. Leslie’s rise to fame as a concert pianist was constantly overshadowed by Lorie’s manipulative schemes, while Chris's idealism clashed with the darker undercurrents of Genoa City’s social elite. But behind the glamour, the Brooks girls carried deep trauma, with betrayals and heartbreaks that shaped every choice they made.
In contrast, the Fosters were working-class, grounded, and emotionally raw. Liz Foster, the strong single mother, raised her children Jill, Snapper, and Greg with grit and fierce love. But even this close-knit family wasn’t free from drama. Jill Foster’s ruthless climb up the social ladder — including her infamous affair with Katherine Chancellor’s husband — would forever change the dynamics of the show. Meanwhile, Snapper’s internal struggles as a doctor and Greg’s moral battles as a lawyer added emotional depth to the family’s arc.
What most fans never knew? Many of today’s major storylines echo conflicts that first started with the Brooks and Fosters. Jill, one of the last remaining characters from that era, still carries the emotional scars of her humble beginnings. And the legacy of Leslie Brooks’ music, Lorie’s manipulations, and Liz’s sacrifices live on — subtly woven into today’s plots and character motivations.
As Y&R continues to evolve, it’s worth remembering the original families that gave this soap its soul. The Brooks and Fosters weren’t just Genoa City’s past — they’re its heartbeat.
