American singer-songwriter, Lionel Richie parents were his late father, Lionel Brockman Richie, and his late mother, Alberta R. Foster.
In the 1970s, Lionel Richie found fame as a songwriter and co-lead singer of the Motown band Commodores, composing and performing hit songs such as “Easy,” “Sail On,” “Three Times a Lady,” and “Still” before moving on.
He has launched numerous solo albums, among them “Dancing on the Ceiling,” “Lionel Richie,” “Louder Than Words,” “Time,” “Can’t Slow Down,” “Just for You,” “Coming Home,” “Just Go,” “Renaissance,” and “Tuskegee.”
Recognized as one of the world’s best-selling artists and hailed as one of the most successful singer-songwriters of the 20th century, Lionel secured three Grammy Awards, notably “Album of the Year” for Can’t Slow Down.
In addition to his music career, he has featured in movies like “Pariah,” “Studio 666,” “The Black Godfather,” and television series such as “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time.”
You Might Be Interested In Martin Herlihy Parents: Father Tim Herlihy & Mother
Lionel Richie Parents: Alberta R. And Lionel Brockman Richie
Lionel Richie was born to his father, Lionel Brockman Richie, and his mother, Alberta R. Foster on June 20, 1949, in Tuskegee, Alabama.
Lionel Richie’s father held a position as a U.S. Army systems analyst, while his mother, Alberta R. Foster, dedicated herself to education as a teacher and school principal.
In an interview with ITV’s Lorraine, Lionel disclosed that he faced difficulties after his father, Lionel Richie Sr., passed away in 1990.
Richie said, “My father was ill and I went through a very — I won’t say a depression, a massive depression, because, you know, my dad was my hero.” “I went through that whole period of my life.”
His early childhood was spent on the campus of Tuskegee Institute with his younger sister, Deborah.
Lionel attended Joliet Township High School’s East Campus before dropping out of Tuskegee Institute after his sophomore year to pursue music.
Talking more about his family members, his grandmother, Adelaide Mary Brown, played classical piano.
Additionally, he discovered that his maternal great-grandfather might be the son of federal judge and slaveowner Morgan Welles Brown on NBC’s “Who Do You Think You Are?” on March 4, 2011.
His extended family includes Charles A./E. Richie, his paternal grandfather, Ida J. Garfield, his paternal grandmother, Albert Davidson Foster, his maternal grandfather.
As the details of his parents’ marriage and love story unfold, Lionel expresses pride in being the son of his supportive parents, reflecting on his successful singing career.
Lionel Richie Wife And Kids
A family man, Lionel Richie’s journey as a father includes raising three children, who he shares with his two ex-wives.
His first marriage took place in 1975 with American woman Brenda Harvey, following a year of dating. Brenda and Lionel crossed paths during their university years.
After eighteen years of marriage, Lionel and Brenda embraced parenthood by adopting two-year-old Nicole Richie (formerly Escovedo) into their family. The adoption process was finalized when she was 9 years old.
Unfortunately, Lionel and Brenda’s marriage faced challenges, resulting in their separation in 1988, despite officially remaining married until 1993.
Brenda’s confrontation with Lionel and her friend Diane Alexander made headlines after she reportedly discovered them together and reacted with physical force, resulting in her arrest.
Following the end of his marriage to Brenda, Lionel remarried his second wife, Diane Alexander, on December 21, 1995. Notably, Lionel began dating Diana Alexander in 1986, while still married to Brenda.
Lionel and Diana’s family expanded with the birth of their two children: Miles Brockman, born May 27, 1994, and Sofia, born August 26, 1998. However, their marriage ended in January 2004, nine years after they exchanged vows.
Following his father Lionel’s legacy, Miles, the sole son of Lionel and Diane, pursued a career in music and ventured into modeling.
As the youngest of the Richie children, Sofia initially engaged in music during her upbringing before making the transition to modeling.
Moreover, Lionel celebrated his first experience of being a grandfather when his eldest daughter, Nicole, gave birth to her baby girl, Harlow, in January 2008 with Joel Madden. Their family grew bigger in September 2009 with the birth of their son, Sparrow.
Nicole Richie and American singer Joel Madden started dating in 2006, eventually tying the knot on December 11, 2010.
Read More: Steve Higgins Parents: Mother Marian Coppola Higgins & Father Harold Higgins – Family & Ethnicity
