How Many Kids Does Lionel Richie Have? Inside His Blended Family of 3 Children
Introduction to Lionel Richie’s Blended Family
Over his legendary music career, singer-songwriter Lionel Richie has topped the charts with infectious hits like “All Night Long (All Night)” and “Hello.” He was a prominent member of The Commodores before embarking on a massively successful solo career.
But long before cementing his superstar status, Lionel became a family man. Read on to learn exactly how many children the iconic crooner has welcomed over the years.
How Many Kids Does Lionel Richie Have in Total?
In total, Lionel Richie has fathered three children – a daughter Nicole and two young children with second wife Diane Alexander. Get to know Richie’s kids more below:
Nicole Richie
- Born: September 21, 1981 (age 42 as of 2023)
- Mother: Brenda Harvey
Nicole Richie was born when Lionel was married to his first wife and her birth mother, Brenda Harvey. Although not Lionel’s biological daughter, he legally adopted Nicole when she was nine years old after lionizing her as his own.
Of course, Nicole grew up to be a world-famous celebrity herself alongside friend Paris Hilton. Today Nicole is married to rocker Joel Madden and has two children of her own with him.
Miles Brockman Richie
- Born: May 27, 1994 (age 29 as of 2023)
- Mother: Diane Alexander
In the 1990s after moving on from his first marriage, Lionel Richie had two more children – son Miles and daughter Sofia – with second wife Diane Alexander.
Miles Brockman hasfollowed his dad into the music business, releasing tracks like “Don’t Wanna Lose You” as a hip-hop artist and keeping side gigs like modeling and hosting.
Sofia Richie
- Born: August 24, 1998 (age 25 as of 2023)
- Mother: Diane Alexander
Like her older adopted sister Nicole, Sofia Richie has proven fame runs deep in the Richie family. Sofia works internationally as a highly sought-after model – serving as the face of campaigns by Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, and more elite brands.
She also runs her own successful clothing lines like Sofia Richie x Missguided. And much like her dad in the 1980s, the press chronicles Sofia’s every move including her past relationship with Scott Disick.
A Look at Lionel Richie’s Personal Life and Marriages
As evidenced from his three kids above, Lionel Richie has enjoyed two major relationships that shaped his family:
Brenda Harvey (1975–1993): Richie married college sweetheart Brenda Harvey in 1975 during his early Commodores days. They adopted daughter Nicole before divorcing in 1993.
Diane Alexander (1995–2004): Richie later married Diane Alexander in 1995. Their union brought son Miles and daughter Sofia into the world before ending, a bit messily, in 2004 as Richie’s age differences from his young wife became problematic behind-the-scenes.
Richie has never remarried, but remains close to all his now-adult children who have navigated fame themselves. And Lionel himself shows no signs of slowing down either as he approaches 75 years old!
Where Did Lionel Richie Go to College?
Long before becoming a global superstar solo artist, Lionel Richie seriously considered a career as a tennis player. He was a standout on the court during high school days back in Tuskegee, Alabama during the 1960s.
Accepting a tennis scholarship, Lionel Richie went on to attend Tuskegee Institutein Alabama for college alongside childhood friends like The Commodores’ eventual members.
While music gradually became his calling instead, Richie’s creative side was nonetheless nurtured during his collegiate years at Tuskegee. And he ultimately received an honorary doctorate degree from the school later on too.
5 FAQs About Lionel Richie’s Family and Children
Here are quick answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Lionel Richie’s daughter Nicole and other kids with ex-wife Diane Alexander:
Who adopted Nicole Richie?
- Nicole Richie’s biological parents were unwilling or unable to care for her appropriately. So Lionel and first wife Brenda Harvey took her in formally at age 9.
Is Nicole Richie’s biological father Lionel Richie?
- No, Nicole stated in 2003 her birth father was actually one of Lionel Richie’s musicians, Peter Michael Escovedo. A paternity test confirmed Richie is not Nicole’s blood father.
How did Sofia Richie become famous?
- Lionel Richie’s daughter Sofia leveraged her father’s fame at first. But modeling for brands like Chanel and starring on KUWTK accelerated her notoriety too within the fashion world.
Are Miles Richie and Sofia Richie twins?
- No, Sofia and Miles Richie have a four-year age difference. Miles was born in 1994 while Sofia arrived later in 1998 to parents Lionel and Diane Alexander.
Who is richer – Nicole or Sofia Richie?
- Estimates peg adopted daughter Nicole Richie’s net worth higher at around $10 million, largely from TV and fashion ventures over many years. Model Sofia Richie has still amassed an impressive $8 million net worth herself so far as well.
No doubt Lionel Richie takes pride in the famous paths all his children have forged for themselves so far in life. And with their great genes plus talent, expect Richie’s thriving family legacy to keep getting richer in the years ahead.