Lionel Richie’s Kids: A Deep Dive Into the ‘American Idol’ Judge’s Family
Lionel Richie will be back at the judges’ table when American Idol returns for Season 24 on Monday, January 26. The “Hello” singer normally keeps his family and work life separate, but he certainly has a lot to be proud of when it comes to his children.
Lionel has been married twice and has three children across his two marriages. Scroll down to learn more about his children, family, and relationship status today.
Does Lionel Richie have biological children?
Yes, Lionel has two biological children: Miles Richie, born in May 1994, and Sofia Richie, born in August 1998. He shares both children with his second wife, Diane Alexander, whom he married in 1995 and divorced in 2004.
Lionel also shares daughter Nicole Richie with his first wife, Brenda Harvey, with whom he was married from 1975 until 1993. Lionel and Brenda started looking after Nicole in 1983 when she was 2 years old, and legally adopted her when she was 9 (more on that below).
All three children have followed in their father’s footsteps with careers in the entertainment industry. Nicole, of course, got started with her reality series The Simple Life before transitioning into becoming a fashion designer and actress. She has been married to Joel Madden since 2010, and they share two children.
Miles is a musician and model, while Sofia started out as a model and is now a major social media influencer. She has been in high-profile relationships with Justin Bieber and Scott Disick, but is now married to Elliot Grainge, a record label executive, and pregnant with their second child.
Why did Lionel Richie adopt Nicole?
Nicole’s biological parents are Peter Escovedo and Karen Moss. Peter was playing in Lionel’s band when Nicole was born. He and Karen were unable to provide for her financially, so Lionel and Brenda took her in.
“Nicole was actually a godsend. She was a little girl who needed a shot,” Lionel told People in 2022. “She was used to people coming and going. She looked at me and I’d say, ‘I’m not going anywhere.'”
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In a 2020 interview with HuffPost, Lionel recalled the moment he wanted to unofficially adopt Nicole. He was at a Prince concert and saw her playing the tambourine onstage, then met her after the show and realized he knew her parents. “[Her] family situation was falling apart,” Lionel recalled.
Lionel and Brenda wanted to give the toddler some “stability” and decided to become her legal guardians. When they officially adopted her seven years later, he made sure it was clear to the child that he wasn’t going anywhere.
“I remember you had abandonment issues for obvious reasons,” Lionel told his daughter. “You’d been handed around to every relative in the family. I remember what I said to you. I said, ‘I’m never, ever going to leave you.’”
Is Lionel Richie still married?
No, Lionel is no longer married to Diane. They ended their relationship in 2004.
However, since 2014, he has been in a relationship with Lisa Parigi, who is 40 years his junior. Lisa, who was living in Switzerland when she met the singer, runs a lifestyle brand and skin care line.
“At this time in my life when you can be so jaded about things, Lisa kind of makes everything feel a bit safe,” Lionel admitted to People in 2019.
American Idol, Season 24 Premiere, Monday, January 26, 8/7c, ABC
