The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced that it had chosen Foster, 49, to receive the special honour during the upcoming prize-giving event to be held on January 13, 2013, reported Ace Showbiz.
The announcement was made by Simon Baker and Kristen Stewart, who played Foster's daughter in 2002's "Panic Room".
Upon reading the announcement, the "Twilight Saga" beauty said, "This is a special moment for me. She's been really important in my life for a long time."
Foster, who is a two-time Golden Globes and Oscar winner, becomes the youngest honouree of the prize since Charlton Heston in 1967.
Last year's honoree was Morgan Freeman, while Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg were among other recent recipients of the award.
The first female recipient, meanwhile, was legendary actress Judy Garland in 1962.
Golden Globes 2013 will be held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, just two days before the 2013 Academy Awards announces its nominations.