Lionel Richie’s Family and Net Worth in Focus Amid Hospitalisation: All About His Ex-Wives and Children

Los Angeles: Legendary singer Lionel Richie is back in the spotlight after a recent health scare that saw the 77-year-old musician admitted to an intensive care unit following a concert in St Louis, Missouri.

Richie checked himself into hospital after his August 29 performance at The Muny. Reports said he had appeared fatigued during the concert and needed to sit down while performing his final song, All Night Long. He subsequently underwent medical tests, including cardiac checks, as doctors monitored his condition.

The latest health scare has also renewed interest in Richie's decades-long career, estimated wealth and family life — including his two former wives and three children.

Who are Lionel Richie's ex-wives?

Lionel Richie has been married twice.

His first marriage was to Brenda Harvey, his college sweetheart. The couple married in 1975 and remained together for nearly 18 years before divorcing in 1993.

During their marriage, Richie and Harvey raised Nicole Richie, whom they initially took in and later legally adopted. Nicole was the biological daughter of musician Peter Escovedo and was adopted by the Richies when she was nine.

Richie later married Diane Alexander in 1995. The couple had two children together — Miles Brockman Richie and Sofia Richie — before ending their marriage in 2004.

Lionel Richie's three children

Richie is the father of three children: Nicole, Miles and Sofia.

Nicole Richie was raised by Lionel and Brenda Harvey and went on to build her own career in entertainment and fashion. She became widely known through reality television and later worked as an actress, designer and author. Nicole is married to musician Joel Madden, and the couple have two children, making Lionel a grandfather.

Miles Richie, Lionel's only biological son, was born in 1994. He has largely stayed away from the level of celebrity enjoyed by his father and sisters, although he has occasionally appeared at public events with the family.

Sofia Richie, born in 1998, has established herself as a model, fashion personality and social-media figure. She married music executive Elliot Grainge in 2023, and the couple have welcomed children.

What is Lionel Richie's net worth?

Richie's fortune has been built over more than five decades in the music industry.

He first rose to prominence as a member of the Commodores before launching an enormously successful solo career. His catalogue includes global hits such as Hello, All Night Long, Dancing on the Ceiling and Say You, Say Me.

According to estimates cited by Celebrity Net Worth, Richie's net worth is around $200 million. Such figures are estimates rather than officially disclosed financial statements, but his wealth reflects decades of record sales, songwriting royalties, touring, television appearances and other business interests.

Richie's television career has also added to his visibility in recent years. He has served as a judge on American Idol alongside Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.

Lionel Richie's recent health scare

Richie's latest hospitalisation followed another health incident earlier this year.

On June 24, he became dizzy during a concert in St Paul, Minnesota, and ended the performance early. Two subsequent shows were postponed on medical advice. Richie later returned to the stage and continued his tour.

During the August 29 concert in St Louis, he again appeared to struggle physically and asked for a chair during All Night Long. He subsequently went to hospital voluntarily as a precaution.

Recent reports said Richie was undergoing cardiac tests and was expected to fly home on September 2. His representatives had not publicly disclosed a specific diagnosis.

A career spanning generations

Despite the recent health concerns, Richie remains one of the most commercially successful American singers of his generation.

From his years with the Commodores to his solo career and television work, he has maintained a presence in popular culture for decades. His three children have also developed careers of their own, keeping the Richie family in the public eye.

For now, fans are awaiting further updates on the singer's health as he prepares for the next phase of his tour.