Who is Lionel Richie?
Lionel Richie is one of the all-time great singers. His songs have become so popular that his CD has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. He also appreciates collaboration and has worked with musicians such as Michael Jackson and others.
He is currently divorced. He is, nevertheless, the father of three children, one of them is adopted. He is a grandfather as well.
Lionel Richie: Bio, Age, Ethnicity, Siblings
Lionel Richie was born on June 20, 1949, in Tuskegee, Alabama, United States of America. Alberta and Lionel are his parents. He was involved in sports from a young age. He was an accomplished tennis player. He liked music as well, but only for fun, blind to what it may do for his future.
Quick Facts
| Real Name/Full Name | Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. |
| Nick Name/Celebrated Name: | Lionel Richie |
| Birth Place: | Tuskegee, Alabama, U.S.A. |
| Date Of Birth/Birthday: | 20 June 1949 |
| Age/How Old: | 72 years old |
| Height/How Tall: | In Centimetres – 180 cm In Feet and Inches – 5′ 9″ |
| Weight: | In Kilograms – 77 Kg In Pounds – 170 lbs |
| Eye Color: | Black |
| Hair Color: | Dark Brown |
| Parents Name: | Father –Lionel Brockman Richie Sr Mother –Alberta Richie |
| Siblings: | Deborah Richie |
| School: | Joliet Township High School |
| College: | Tuskegee Institute |
| Religion: | Christian |
| Nationality: | American |
| Zodiac Sign: | Gemini |
| Gender: | Male |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Divorced |
| Girlfriend: | Diane Alexander Brenda Harvey-Richie |
| Wife/Spouse Name: | Diane Alexander (m. 1995-2004) Brenda Harvey Richie (1975-1993) |
| Kids/Children Name: | Brockman Richie, Sofia Richie, Nicole Richie |
| Profession: | Songwriter, Singer, Record Producer |
| Net Worth: | $230 million |
Height, Weight, and Body Measurements
Lionel Richie, who was born on June 20, 1949, is 72 years old as of today’s date, May 25, 2022. Despite his height of 5′ 9′′ in feet and inches and 180 cm in centimeters, he weighs around 170 pounds and 77 kg.
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Education
Lionel was a student at Joliet Township High School in Illinois. He became the school’s tennis star while in high school. As a result, his abilities were recognized. He received a full scholarship to Tuskegee Institute after graduation because he was a talented tennis player. Unfortunately, he only attended the institute for about a year before dropping out.
Personal Life: Girlfriends, Wife, and Children
He had no idea what he wanted to pursue after dropping out of college. His initial ambition was to become a priest. However, while he was still deciding what to do, he began to pursue music full-time now that he was no longer a student. He recognized then that another talent as a singer could lead him far. He became more serious about music after that. 65
While in college, he fell in love with his girlfriend Brenda. In 1975, the two lovers tied the knot. Nicole Camille Escovedo, the daughter of one of his bandmates, was also adopted by him. He later legally adopted Nicole and changed her surname. He is now the proud grandfather of Nicole’s two kids.
Unfortunately, his relationship with his first wife deteriorated, and they divorced in 1993. He married Diane Alexander two years later, and they had Miles and Sofia. In 2003, he divorced his second wife.
Is Lionel Richie a Homosexual?
No. He’s a straight guy. Despite the collapse of his marriages, he engaged in two love relationships with people of the opposite gender. Brenda and Diane were his first loves, but they later divorced. He has two children from his second marriage. As a result, Lionel Richie is neither gay nor bisexual.
Career Opportunities
He began his career by joining the Funk-Soul Band. He was the principal saxophonist and singer for the band. The band was known for lively dance songs like “Brick House” and “Machine Gun.” Later, the band released more romantic upbeats, which helped them gain even more renown. ‘Sail On’ and ‘Easy’ are two of the most popular upbeats.
In 1981, he debuted as a solo artist with the song “Endless Love.” The song was featured in a film, which increased his popularity. In 1982, he left the funk-soul band known as the Commodores. In the same year, he released his first solo album, eponymous, which included hit songs including “My Love,” “Truly,” and “You Are.”
His CD was so popular that it is expected to sell at least 4 million copies. ‘Can’t Slow Down’ was his second album. The album did far better than the first, winning two Grammy Awards and being named the best album of the year. His second record introduced him to a wider audience and increased his celebrity.
‘Penny Love,’ ‘Running with the Night,’ ‘Stuck on You,’ and ‘Hello’ was among the songs he released in 1984. In 1985, he joined Michael Jackson on the song “We Are the World,” which was released for humanitarian purposes. This song set a new sales record by selling over 20 million copies worldwide. Later, he released singles such as ‘Say You, Say Me,’ which received the Academy Award for Best Song of the Year. ‘White Nights’ and ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’ were also produced by him.
In 1996, he released his fourth album, ‘Louder Than Words.’ The music was still soulful, but it didn’t produce any substantial results. After ten years of declining popularity, his album ‘Coming Home,’ released in 2006, was a hit. It was his comeback, as the album’s title suggested. The song helped his album, Tuskegee, which was released in 2012, chart higher. The previous CD featured popular performers including Blake Shelton, Billy Currington, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain, and others.
Awards
- He received four Grammy Awards.
- He was awarded the George and Ira Gershwin Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
- In 2016, he earned the Johnny Mercer Award, the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s top accolade.
Lionel Richie’s Net Worth, Salary, and Earnings
Richie has a net worth of $230 million as of 2022. His musical career is his primary source of income. His CDs have been critically acclaimed and are among the best-selling. One of his record-breaking albums, which he co-wrote with several musicians, sold over 20 million copies worldwide. He has also served as a brand ambassador for well-known companies such as Lion Nathan. In addition, he has a number of lucrative sponsorship relationships.
Interesting Facts
- His music has sold over 100 million copies globally, making him one of the most successful artists on the planet.
- Lionel is a brilliant musician who has created albums that have broken records and won awards. On multiple occasions, he has been named singer of the year. Furthermore, his music has sold well, and he is currently one of the wealthiest singers. He has children despite being divorced.
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