Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
Lionel Richie
June 20, 1949
Tuskegee, Alabama, US
77 Years Old
Gemini
Who Is Lionel Richie?
Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. is an American singer-songwriter known for his smooth, soulful love ballads and pop anthems. His distinctive vocal style has charmed audiences across several generations.
He first gained widespread recognition as co-lead singer of the Motown group Commodores, with hits like "Easy" and "Three Times a Lady." Richie's solo career launched with “Truly” and quickly propelled him to global superstardom.
Early Life and Education
Lionel Richie grew up in Tuskegee, Alabama, where his father, Lionel Brockman Richie, worked as a US Army systems analyst, and his mother, Alberta R. Foster, was a school principal. His grandmother, a classical pianist, introduced him to music fundamentals.
He attended Joliet Township High School, East Campus, excelling in tennis before enrolling at Tuskegee University to study economics and accounting. There, his passion for music blossomed as he joined various R&B groups.
Notable Relationships
A string of high-profile romances has marked Lionel Richie's personal life, including marriages to his college sweetheart Brenda Harvey and later Diane Alexander.
Richie adopted Nicole Richie during his first marriage, with whom he co-parents, and shares Miles Brockman Richie and Sofia Richie with Alexander. He is currently dating Lisa Parigi.
Career Highlights
Lionel Richie's "Can't Slow Down" album became a global phenomenon, selling over 20 million copies and earning him an Album of the Year Grammy. This multi-platinum success featured chart-topping singles like "Hello" and "All Night Long (All Night)."
Beyond his solo hits, Richie co-wrote the iconic charity single "We Are the World" with Michael Jackson, raising millions for famine relief. He also serves as a long-standing judge on American Idol.
To date, Richie has collected four Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award, cementing his legacy as a fixture in modern pop culture.
Signature Quote
"Once you find something that you love to do, you just do it."