A renowned singer and song writer, Lionel Richie aka Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. is known for the numerous hits that he has dished out over the years by himself as well as with the music group, Commodores. He was born on 20th June 1949 in Tuskegee in Alabama and was also brought up there. He was a founding member of the well known rhythm & blue band named Commodores which shot to fame in the 70s. Later in 1982, he came up with a solo album and secured his first ever Grammy Award for the song “Truly”. He later came up with hit numbers like “Hello” etc. In 1985, Richie supported Michael Jackson in writing the famous hit “We are the World”. In the past few years, he has come up with chartbuster albums like Coming Home, Tuskegee and Louder than Words.
Lionel Richie Parents – Lionel Brockman Richie Sr. and Alberta R
Singer Lionel Richie was born to Lionel Brockman Richie Sr. and Alberta Richie nee Foster in 1949. At the time of his birth the family was settled in Tuskegee, Alabama. Lionel was brought up on the Tuskegee Institute campus and in the later years he even secured a tennis scholarship from the institute.
Lionel Richie Spouse – Brenda Harvey (1975-1993)
Lionel met Brenda Harvey when they were still in college. He finally married his college sweetheart on 18th October 1975. In the year 1983, they informally adopted the daughter of one of the band members of Commodores. The child’s name was Nicole Camille Escovedo. Later, when the child turned nine, they legally adopted her and named her Nicole Richie. In 1988, the couple separated when Brenda discovered that Lionel was having an affair with Diane Alexander. They filed for divorce which finally came through on 9th August 1993, thereby ending their 18 year old marriage.
Lionel Richie Spouse – Diane Alexander (1995-2004)
After his divorce in 1993, Lionel Richie went ahead and married his long standing girlfriend, Diane Alexander. The couple went down the aisle on 21st December 1995. They have two children, a son named Miles Brockman and a daughter named Sofia Richie. However, this marriage ended when Lionel and Diane decided to part ways in 2003.
Child of Lionel Richie and Brenda Harvey – Nicole Richie
A well known actress, television personality and fashion designer, Nicole Richie is not the biological daughter of Brenda and Lionel Richie. Born in Berkeley, California on 21st September 1981, she was the daughter of a member of the band founded by Richie and was christened Nicole Camille Escovedo at the time of birth. Lionel and his first wife informally adopted the child in 1983 and later adopted her legally in 1990.
Children of Lionel Richie and Diane Alexander – Miles Brockman Richie
Miles Brockman was born to Lionel Richie and his second wife Diane Alexander on 27th May 1994. He has been in the news having tattooed Kylie Jenner’s initials on his hand.
Sofia Richie
Sofia Richie is Lionel Richie’s youngest daughter who was born to him and Diane Alexander on 24th August 1998. Her alleged affair with pop icon Justin Bieber has really got her a lot of popularity.
Lionel Richie Grandchildren – Harlow Winter Kate Richie Madden and Sparrow James Midnight Madden
Lionel Richie has two grandchildren from his elder daughter Nicole Richie who is married to Joel Madden, the lead singer of the group Good Charlotte. She gave birth to a baby girl on 11th January 2008 whom they named Harlow Winter Kate Richie Madden. Later on 9th September 2009, the couple welcomed their son Sparrow James Midnight Madden.
Net Worth
A gifted singer and song writer, Lionel Richie is said to have a net worth of $200 millions.