Who Is David Moretta? Age, Career, and the Truth Behind Danielle Smith’s Husband
By Robert Thorne
Smith and Moretta married in 2006 in Las Vegas, uniting two people whose working lives revolved entirely around the news cycle. At the time, Smith was working as an editorial writer and host on the Calgary station CHQR 770, while Moretta ran television news operations. The marriage weathered extreme political turbulence, including Smith’s initial election as Wildrose Party leader in 2009, her floor-crossing to the Progressive Conservatives in 2014, and her subsequent defeat in her own nomination race.
Following that public setback, the couple pivoted away from urban newsrooms and legislative halls toward small-town business. They purchased and restored a vintage 1940s rail dining car in High River, Alberta, establishing The Dining Car at High River Station. Moretta stepped into operations, managing supply chains, staff, and food prep alongside Smith.
| Timeframe | Primary Role | Operational Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s, 2010 | Broadcast Producer & Executive | Led Global Edmonton news broadcasts, line production, and station staffing. |
| 2011, 2020 | Hospitality Co-Owner | Restored and operated The Dining Car restaurant in High River through recovery and floods. |
| 2021, 2026 | Private Citizen & Spouse | Divested restaurant operations; maintains a low profile outside official government business. |
Managing the diner through catastrophic regional flooding in June 2013 tested their resilience. Waters swamped High River, forcing evacuations and shutting down local commerce. Together, they rebuilt the restaurant, operating it until late 2020, when they sold the business as pandemic restrictions weighed on hospitality and Smith prepared her return to provincial politics.
Robert Thorne covers electric vehicle innovations, autonomous driving systems, global mobility trends, and automotive engineering developments.
