Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie has written and produced numerous musical hits, both as a member of the Commodores and as a solo artist. He is an award-winning songwriter who continues to have an impact on the music world by inspiring and mentoring many upcoming artists to this day. Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. is a living legend who has the potential to succeed even if people’s musical tastes change.

Lionel Richie’s net worth

Lionel Richie’s net worth is estimated to be around $200 million by Celebrity Net Worth.

Lionel Richie’s net worth is primarily a result of his long-standing success in the music industry. He has sold over 90 million records worldwide and had 13 top ten hit singles between 1981 and 1986.

Richie was also a member of the Commodores, where he helped the band produce major hits like Brickhouse, Easy, and Three Times a Lady.

Over the years, he has made money from media appearances, most notably as a judge on American Idol.

Lionel Richie
Caption: Lionel Richie (source: GQ)

Lionel Richie’s Childhood

Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. was born in Tuskegee, Alabama on June 20, 1949, to Lionel Brockman Richie Sr. and Alberta R. Foster.

Lionel Richie attended the East Campus of Joliet Township High School. He accepted a tennis scholarship to Tuskegee Institute as a star tennis player in Joliet. He did, however, drop out after his sophomore year.

Richie considered studying divinity in order to become a priest in the Episcopal Church, but after determining that he was not “priest material,” he decided to pursue his musical career.

Lionel Richie’s Profession

Richie’s time with the Commodores provided him with the experience he needed to define himself. In 1968, he joined the Commodores as lead singer and saxophonist. They began with funky dance music and later transitioned to romantic and easy-listening ballads.

By the late 1970s, Riche had also begun writing songs for other artists. Endless Love, which he performed with Diana Ross in 1981, reached the top of the music charts all over the world. Richie’s success prompted him to pursue a solo career.

Richie released his debut solo album, ‘Lionel Richie,’ in 1982. This album sold over 4 million copies worldwide. In 1983, he released the album ‘Can’t Slow Down,’ which sold more than twice as many copies and earned him two Grammy Awards. All Night Long was performed by Richie at the closing ceremony of the 23rd Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

In 1986, he released ‘Dancing on the Ceiling,’ which became a hit in the United States and the United Kingdom.

He appeared less on the live stage after resuming recording and performing. He did, however, make a comeback in 1996, but the response was not as positive as he had hoped.

On September 12, 2006, Richie released his eighth studio album, ‘Coming Home.’ The album was a huge success in the United States, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard 200.

Tuskegee, Richie’s tenth studio album, was released on March 26, 2012. It features duets with Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers, Billy Currington, Willie Nelson, and Jimmy Buffett, among others.

The album propelled him back to the top of the Billboard 200 chart, marking his first number one album in more than 25 years. Within six weeks of its release, the album was certified Platinum.

Lionel Richie’s Private Life

On October 18, 1975, Lionel Richie married Brenda Harvey, his college sweetheart. After a few years of not having children of their own, the couple decided to adopt Nicole Camille Escovedo on an informal basis in 1983.

She is the daughter of one of Lionel’s band members. They raised her as their child, named her Nicole Richie, and legally adopted her when she was nine years old.

Richie began a relationship with Diane Alexander while he was still married to Harvey. This resulted in a harrowing incident in which she was arrested for assaulting him. After nearly 18 years of marriage, they divorced on August 9, 1993.

Richie remarried Diane Alexander on December 21, 1995, two years later. Miles Brockman, his son, was born on May 27, 1994, and Sofia Richie, his daughter, was born on August 24, 1998. However, his marriage to his second wife ended in divorce in 2003.

Lionel Richie
Caption: Lionel Richie’s wife (source: Country Living Magazine)

Quick facts:

Date of Birth :
Age : 72 years old
Family Name : Richie
Birth Country : United States
Birth Sign : Gemini
Height : 5 Feet 11 Inch

 

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