Early Life & Quick Biography Table
Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. was born on June 20, 1949, in Tuskegee, Alabama. Raised on the campus of the historic Tuskegee Institute, he grew up surrounded by music and discipline—his grandmother was a classical pianist, and both parents held steady professional jobs.
| Biography Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. |
| Date of Birth | June 20, 1949 |
| Current Age (2025) | 76 years old |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 183 lbs (83 kg) |
| Birthplace | Tuskegee, Alabama, USA |
| Education | Tuskegee University (Economics) |
| Fraternity | Alpha Phi Alpha |
| Children | Nicole (adopted), Miles, Sofia |
| Grandchildren | Harlow, Sparrow (via Nicole) |
| Current Partner | Lisa Parigi (since ~2006) |
| Net Worth 2025 | $200 million |
| Annual Salary (Idol) | $10 million |
| Residence | Beverly Hills mansion |
Career Highlights & Timeline (1968–2025)
Richie’s journey from college sax player to global superstar is one of the greatest reinvention stories in music.
He formed the Commodores in 1968 while still a student. By the late 1970s he was writing No. 1 hits for the group and for Kenny Rogers (“Lady”). His 1982 solo debut exploded with “Truly,” and the 1983 album Can’t Slow Down sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
In 1985 he co-wrote “We Are the World” with Michael Jackson—still the biggest charity single ever. His 1986 Oscar-winning “Say You, Say Me” and the party anthem “All Night Long” remain playlist staples four decades later.
| Milestone | Year & Impact |
|---|---|
| Commodores formed | 1968 |
| First solo album | 1982 – 4× platinum |
| Can’t Slow Down | 1983 – Grammy Album of the Year |
| We Are the World | 1985 – raised $63 million |
| Oscar win (“Say You, Say Me”) | 1986 |
| Country album Tuskegee | 2012 – debuted No. 1 |
| American Idol judge | 2018–present ($10M/season) |
| Rock & Roll Hall of Fame | 2022 |
| Memoir “Truly” released | 2025 – NYT bestseller |
Lionel Richie Net Worth & Salary Breakdown 2025
Richie’s $200 million net worth comes from royalties (his catalog still earns $20–30 million a year), sold-out tours (2024 grossed $25 million), real estate, and that sweet American Idol paycheck of $10 million per season.
His Beverly Hills mansion, bought for $6 million in the 1990s, is now valued between $40–60 million. He also quietly launched a fragrance line in 2023 that’s already pulling in $5 million annually.
Marriages, Divorces & Dating History
Richie has been married twice:
- Brenda Harvey (1975–1993) – college sweetheart; they adopted Nicole Richie when she was 9. The marriage ended dramatically after Brenda discovered his affair.
- Diane Alexander (1995–2004) – dancer he met on the “Dancing on the Ceiling” video. They have two children: Miles (born 1994) and Sofia (born 1998). The divorce reportedly cost over $10 million.
Since around 2006 he’s been in a happy, low-key relationship with Swiss-Filipina designer Lisa Parigi, who is 40 years younger than him. The couple keeps things private but still turn heads on red carpets.
Family Today – Kids & Grandkids
Nicole Richie (43) is a designer and mom of two. Miles Richie (30) works as a DJ and model. Sofia Richie Grainge (26) is married to music executive Elliot Grainge and expecting her second child in late 2025. Lionel lights up talking about being a grandfather—he calls Harlow and Sparrow the new loves of his life.
Height, Weight & Health at 76
Even at 76, Richie maintains his classic 5′11″ frame and stays around 183 lbs. After four throat surgeries in the 1990s, he switched to a mostly plant-based diet, daily yoga, and holistic treatments that saved his voice—and probably added years to his career.
Why Lionel Richie Still Matters in 2025
While new artists chase algorithms, Richie’s songs are the soundtrack to real human moments—weddings, breakups, first dances. Adele, Sam Smith, and Bruno Mars all cite him as an influence. His 2025 memoir Truly is raw and funny, detailing everything from the night Brenda caught him cheating to the terror of almost losing his voice forever.
I’ve seen him live three times in Vegas, and the way three generations sing every word of “Hello” proves one thing: some music simply never gets old.
