Music icon Lionel Richie has embraced fatherhood with great enthusiasm, raising three children: Nicole, Miles, and Sofia Richie. Lionel’s insights into parenting stemmed from his own father, Lionel Richie Sr., whose passing in 1990 deeply affected him.
“My dad was my hero,” he shared in a 2018 ITV interview. Despite the grief, Lionel credits his children for helping him pass that challenging period. “When Miles came along and Nicole was already there, I realized I had a responsibility to be the head of the house,” he reflected.
Lionel’s role as a father and now grandfather reflects his deep commitment to family, a value passed down from his own father, Lionel Richie Sr
Though often seen as a free spirit, Lionel acknowledges his role as a strict father. He emphasizes the importance of humor in parenting, stating, “My kids aim to scare me, and they’re doing a fantastic job… My role is to embarrass them as much as possible.”
When it comes to his children’s personal choices, Lionel takes a step back. He asserts, “You can’t step in there. It just doesn’t work,” but is eager to offer career guidance. He advised Sofia, “I wish you lots of failure, young,” highlighting that success often comes from overcoming setbacks.
Now, let’s look at the stories of Lionel’s children.
Nicole Richie, 43
Lionel’s journey as a father began when he and his ex-wife Brenda Harvey adopted Nicole Richie, who was born on September 21, 1981. Her biological parents, friends of Lionel, were unable to provide for her. “Nicole was a godsend,” he recounted in February 2022. “She needed stability, and I assured her I wouldn’t disappear.”
The heartfelt song “Ballerina Girl,” written by Lionel in 1986, expresses his affection for Nicole: “I’m never gonna break your heart…” Nicole shot to fame in 2003 on The Simple Life with Paris Hilton, but faced numerous challenges during the show’s run, including legal issues and battles with addiction.
“I literally didn’t care about anything,” she confessed in a 2006 Vanity Fair interview, reflecting on her reckless behavior and her parents’ divorce. “I could play them against each other, and I was free to do as I pleased.”
Eventually, Nicole sought help from her parents for her addiction, realizing, “I couldn’t continue living that way.” After entering a rehabilitation program, she successfully turned her life around. In May 2024, news broke about Nicole reuniting with Hilton for a reboot of The Simple Life, set to stream on Peacock.
Miles Brockman Richie, 30
Lionel’s second child, Miles Brockman Richie, was born on May 27, 1994, to his second wife, Diane Alexander. After their divorce in 2003, Miles primarily lived with his mother. “I’m a mama’s boy,” he revealed in a 2018 interview.
Unlike his sister, Miles had a more private upbringing but stepped into the limelight as a model after leaving UCLA, where he studied accounting. He made his runway debut in 2018 during New York Fashion Week.
In 2019, Miles faced controversy after an airport incident where he allegedly made a bomb threat. Following an altercation, he received a caution, which is a warning under U.K. law, rather than a criminal conviction.
Sofia Richie, 26
The youngest of Lionel’s children, Sofia Richie, was born on August 24, 1998. She first appeared on the red carpet at the age of 10, alongside her dad and sister, quickly becoming a regular at family events.
Sofia explored music in her childhood but decided to pursue modeling to establish her own identity. “I want to be seen as my own person,” she stated, despite the inevitable comparisons to her father.
At just 15, Sofia signed with a modeling agency and has since graced the covers of various fashion magazines, even collaborating on clothing lines. Though she chose not to enter the music industry, she appreciates her father’s advice, saying, “He encourages me to have fun with everything I do.”
Sofia’s romantic history includes a brief relationship with Justin Bieber and a relationship with Scott Disick, which her father had mixed feelings about due to their age difference.
In April 2022, Sofia announced her engagement to Elliot Grainge, and they wed on April 22, 2023, in a stunning ceremony in Antibes, France, where Lionel proudly walked her down the aisle.
Sofia shared that her father, affectionately known as “Pop Pop,” met her daughter Eloise, born on May 20, 2024. “It’s surreal to see my parents with my child,” she expressed in an August 2024 interview.
