Real-Life Loves
Inside ‘American Idol’ Judge Lionel Richie’s Girlfriend & Relationship History
Lionel Richie has been in the public eye for decades, which means that his love life has also been in the spotlight. The American Idol judge has been in a relationship with his now-girlfriend since 2014 but has mostly been able to keep their romance private.
Despite a 40-year age difference, Richie and his longtime love are going strong. Scroll down for everything we know about their relationship and the rest of the “We Are the World” singer’s relationship history.
Who is Lionel Richie’s girlfriend?
Richie’s girlfriend is Lisa Parigi. “She’s extremely beautiful, but most importantly she’s smart and helps me deal with my crazy world,” he told PEOPLE in 2019. Parigi grew up in Switzerland and is of Caribbean, Swiss, and Chinese descent.
After working in corporate technology in Switzerland, she now runs her own lifestyle brand and skin care line. The Estate Collection sells “luxury candles influenced by travel + lust for life,” according to Instagram. Meanwhile, Glow Up Beauty is a vegan skin care line that is sulfate, paraben, and cruelty-free.
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In her Instagram bio, Parigi lists herself as an “entrepreneur” and “investor.” She also cites “Art, NFT, and Crypto” in her description.
Richie and Parigi met when they were both in attendance at the same party. At the time, Parigi was still living in Switzerland, but she scored an invite to the soirée while on a trip to Los Angeles. Mutual friends introduced the couple. “We had great conversations, we spoke all night long about everything,” Parigi once shared.
Has Lionel Richie been married?
Prior to his relationship with Parigi, Richie was married twice. He tied the knot with his college sweetheart, Brenda Harvey, in October 1975. The two were married for 18 years before finalizing their divorce in 1993.
Richie went on to marry Diane Alexander in 1995, and they were together for nine years before their 2004 divorce.
In 1988, Harvey was arrested for “corporal injury to a spouse, resisting arrest, trespassing, vandalism, battery and disturbing the peace,” according to the Los Angeles Times. The incident took place at Alexander’s apartment after she allegedly found Richie there.
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Does Lionel Richie have kids?
Richie is the proud dad of three children. In 1983, he took in Nicole Richie from her biological parents, Peter Escovedo and Karen Moss. Escovedo was a drummer who had briefly toured with Richie. He and Moss agreed to let Richie and Harvey informally adopt Nicole when she was three years old because they could not afford to care for her. Richie and Harvey legally adopted Nicole when she was nine years old.
With Alexander, Richie shares son Miles Richie, born in May 1994, and daughter Sofia Richie, born in August 1998.
American Idol, Season 23 Premiere, Sunday, March 9, 8/7c, ABC
