Lionel Richie

Singer

American Tuskegee, Alabama, U.S.

Quick Info

ProfessionSinger
NationalityAmerican
Date of Birth20/06/1949
Age77 years
BirthplaceTuskegee, Alabama, U.S.

Latest News about Lionel Richie

28/09/2025

Lionel Richie released his memoir titled 'Truly: A Journey Through Music and Life', offering a comprehensive account of his career, personal struggles, and relationships. The book was widely reviewed by major publications including The New York Times, which praised it for revealing the full story of his life beyond his public persona.

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Bio/Wiki

Full NameLionel Brockman Richie Jr.
NicknameSkeet

Physical Stats & More

Height5' 11" (180 cm)
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorBlack

Educational Qualification(s)

SchoolJoliet Township High School, East Campus, Joliet, Illinois
College/UniversityTuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama, United States
QualificationGraduation in Economics with a minor in Accounting

Personal Life

Marital StatusDivorced
ReligionChristianity
Food HabitNon-vegetarian

Relationships & More

Affairs/Girlfriends
  • Brenda Harvey (singer)
  • Diane Alexander (fashion designer)
  • Lisa Parigi (entrepreneur)

Family

FatherLionel Brockman Richie Sr. (a U.S. Army systems analyst)
MotherAlberta R. Foster (a teacher and school principal)
SiblingsDeborah Richie (singer)
Spouse
  • Brenda Harvey (m. 1975
  • div. 1993)
  • Diane Alexander (m. 1995
  • div. 2004)
  • Brenda Harvey (m. 1975, div. 1993)
  • Diane Alexander (m. 1995, div. 2004)
Children
  • Miles Brockman Richie (artist)
  • Nicole Camille Richie (businesswoman, adopted)
  • Sofia Alexandra Richie (homemaker)

Career

Debut
FilmScott Joplin (1977) as The Minstrel Singers
AlbumLionel Richie (1982)
TVThe Simpsons (2007) as himself
Awards & Honours
  • Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for 'Truly' (1982)
  • Grammy Award for Album of the Year for 'Can't Slow Down' (1984)
  • Grammy Award for Producer of the Year (Non-Classical) (1984)
  • Grammy Award for Song of the Year for 'We Are the World' (1985)
  • First recipient of an RIAA diamond album award (1985)
  • George and Ira Gershwin Lifetime Achievement Award from UCLA (2008)
  • Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee (2017)
  • Kennedy Center Honors (2017)
  • Academy Award for Best Original Song for 'Say You, Say Me' (1986)
Music Journey
  • Joined Commodores as a singer and saxophonist in 1968.
  • Became known for hits like 'Easy', 'Three Times a Lady', and 'All Night Long'.
  • His first solo album in 1982 produced major hits and achieved 4 million sales.
  • Has composed for and collaborated with various artists, including Diana Ross and Kenny Rogers.
  • Returned to music in the 1990s and continued to release albums.

Favourites

FlowerBougainvillea
FoodSmothered Chicken with Rice and Gravy, Broccoli, Candied Yams, Meat-loaf Sandwich on Brown Bread with Mayonnaise and a Fried Egg on top

Style Quotient

Car CollectionFerrari Scaglietti

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. His great-grandfather was a national leader of an early Black American fraternal group.
2. Richie experienced racism as a child while traveling with his father.
3. He received a tennis scholarship at Tuskegee Institute after high school.
4. Richie initially considered becoming a priest before focusing on music.
5. Formed several R&B groups while attending Tuskegee University.
6. Faced severe throat issues in the 1990s that almost ended his career.
7. Richie performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2006.
8. He enjoys traveling and has a deep love for animals.
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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