Brockman, Lionel Richie Jr., best known by his stage name Lionel Richie, is a well-known American singer-songwriter, actor, record producer, and musician. He is maybe the only living singer whose stardom has managed to stand the test of time. Richie is well known for his deep voice and heartfelt lyrics, and because of his well-known love ballads, he has become the favorite of all those who have ever been in love. Over 100 million copies of his songs have been sold worldwide during his nearly 50-year career, which began in 1968 with the funk and soul band “Commodores.” He is among the most talented people the world has ever produced.
Quick Facts
| Celebrated Name: | Lionel Richie |
|---|---|
| Real Name/Full Name: | Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. |
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | 74 years old |
| Birth Date: | 20 June 1949 |
| Birth Place: | Tuskegee, Alabama, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 1.8 m |
| Weight: | 77 kg |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Divorced |
| Wife/Spouse (Name): | Diane Alexander (m. 1995–2004), Brenda Harvey-Richie (m. 1975–1993) |
| Children: | Yes (Sofia Richie, Nicole Richie, Miles Brockman Richie) |
| Dating/Girlfriend (Name): | N/A |
| Profession: | American singer, songwriter, actor and record producer |
| Net Worth in 2024: | $230 million |
Lionel Richie Biography
Lionel Richie was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, to Alberta R. and Lionel Brockman Richie Sr. He was an excellent tennis player as a child, and his skill earned him a scholarship to Tuskegee Institute, where he spent nearly a year after graduating from the East Campus of Joliet Township High School. After quitting college, Lionel Richie briefly considered becoming a priest before deciding against it in favor of a career in music. This decision not only gained him recognition but also gave the world one of its best vocalists!
Lionel Richie’s Age, Height, And Weight
Lionel Richie was born on June 20, 1949, he is 74 years old as of 2024. He stands 1.8 meters tall and weighs 77 kilograms.
Career
As the lead singer and saxophonist for the Commodores, a well-known funk-soul group that began with upbeat dance songs like “Machine Gun” and “Brick House” before developing into a more soulful and profoundly romantic band with songs like “Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” and “Sail On,” Lionel Richie launched his musical career. The band’s popularity increased as a result of the change. Lionel Richie was inspired to travel alone in 1981 by the song “Endless Love,” which he penned for the film of the same name and saw an unprecedented level of success around the world. In 1982, he left ‘Commodores.
The same year, without wasting any time, Lionel Richie released his self-titled debut solo album, which had top 5 songs like “Truly,” “You Are,” and “My Love.” Overall, the album’s sales were around 4 million. With the even more popular album “Can’t Slow Down,” which won two Grammy Awards and was named Album of the Year in 1983, he quickly rose to fame on a global scale. Top 10 songs like “Hello,” “Stuck on You,” “Running with the Night,” and “Penny Lover” were produced by Lionel Richie in 1984.
We Are the World, a charity song co-written by Michael Jackson and released in 1985, shattered all sales records with more than 20 million copies sold globally. He also received an Oscar that year for the song “Say You, Say Me,” which he composed and sung for the movie “White Nights.” In 1986, he issued the well-received album “Dancing on the Ceiling,” and then he took a break from music. The music scene underwent significant shift throughout the subsequent 10 years, which made up his absence, absorbing new and experimental musical styles.
His fourth studio album, “Louder Than Words,” released in 1996, marked his resurgence and maintained his distinctively soulful sound. Lionel Richie did not achieve popularity until the release of his 2006 album “Coming Home,” which became his first album to reach the top 10 in almost ten years, perhaps as a result of a shift in the audience’s musical tastes. After 25 long years, he finally reached the top of the Billboard 200 with his 2012 album “Tuskegee,” which included duets of some of his great songs with country singers like Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Shania Twain, and Billy Currington, among others!
Lionel Richie’s Net Worth
Lionel Richie is believed to have a fortune of $230 million as of February 2024, which he has accumulated from his lucrative endorsement deals with well-known companies like Lion Nathan and his successful singing career. One of the rare musicians, Lionel Richie, whose music has successfully withstood the test of time, is recognized as one of the finest singers of all time.
Lionel Richie’s Wife, Marriage
Two of Lionel Richie’s marriages ended in divorce. In 1983, he married Brenda Harvey, his undergraduate love, and during that time, they adopted the bandmate’s daughter. The couple nurtured Nicole Camille Escovedo as their own kid before legally adopting her. Richie separated from his first spouse in 1993. He married Diane Alexander two years later, in 1995, and the two of them had two children together—a son called Miles Brockman and a daughter named Sofia Richie—before he divorced her in 2003. A proud grandfather to Nicole’s two children, he is also.
