Lionel Richie’s first marriage blows up
In “Truly,” the “Endless Love” singer is finally opening up about the controversy that brought his first marriage to a close nearly forty years ago.
His first wife, Brenda Harvey-Richie, was arrested in June 1988 after she confronted Richie and his Diane Alexander, who would become his second wife, at Alexander’s Beverly Hills apartment in the middle of the night, according to Fox News.
“What very few people knew was that Brenda and I were separated,” Richie wrote in his book.
He said that “he was hiding” out at a spot on the beach, wanting to be alone, when he drove into town and stopped by Alexander’s place before he heard “a knock at the door.”
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 26: Lionel Richie performs live on stage during his “Say Hello To The Hits” tour at Hotel Accor Arena on June 26, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)
Lionel Richie and Nicole Richie at the premiere of “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead” held at The Grove on April 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by River Callaway/Variety via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 02: (L-R) Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Ryan Seacrest pose for a photo during “American Idol” Season 8 Judges Photo Call on October 02, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Nicole Richie, Lionel Richie, and Brenda Harvey Richie at the Flushing Meadow in New York City, New York (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 01: (L-R) Lionel Richie and Lisa Parigi attend The King’s Trust 4th Annual Global Gala on May 01, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/WireImage)
“This is not a security-buzz-you-in place, not a gated residence, just an apartment that opens to the street,” Richie wrote. “When the door opens, Brenda is standing there. There is a massive confrontation. Diane is in total shock and I’m trying to leave, to draw Brenda away.”
Richie said that the argument got so intense that neighbors called the police, leading to Harvey-Richie’s arrest.
“The story became the scandal of my century,” he wrote. “It took on a life of its own. Thankfully, there was no social media.”
Lionel Richie and wife adopt Nicole Richie
The “American Idol” judge and Harvey-Richie adopted Nicole Richie when she was a toddler while she was dancing on stage at a Prince concert, he said, according to Page Six.
Richie said that he knew her parents, who were facing instability, and decided to foster Nicole and eventually adopt her, whom he described as “the cutest, most adorable little girl.”
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Nicole Richie would eventually find fame on reality TV, starring in “Simple Life” with her then-best friend, Paris Hilton. She would later become an author and fashion designer.
Lionel Richie’s musical insights
Richie is a prolific songwriter, having written songs for his group The Commodores, The Temptations, Kenny Rogers and Enrique Iglesias.
He also co-wrote the chart-topping “We Are the World” with music giant Michael Jackson, whom the Commodores opened for when Jackson was part of The Jackson 5.
Richie revealed that becoming a songwriter helped him “heal” his “brokenness,” according to USA Today.
“Truly” releases on Oct. 1.
