When Lionel Richie sat down with Piers Morgan for ITV’s “Life Stories” in 2015, the glimpse into his opulent lifestyle stunned audiences.
Divorce Drama
In the recently resurfaced video, Morgan rattled off the details of Richie’s lavish expenditures— “Salaries for 9 member full-time staff, exclusive yachts, hotel suites at $3,000 per night, limousines, 2 staff members with them at all times, $40 million mansion, 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, gym, recording studio, wine room, theatre, invested $7,000,000 in restoration over four years, most furniture worth between 10 and $25,000, chandelier worth $35,000, tapestry worth $50,000, oriental rugs worth $125,000, etcetera”—the legendary singer playfully corrected him, saying, “I’m really upset because the chandeliers were actually $200,000!”
Behind the humor lies the reality of the 75-year-old Richie’s immense fortune, now reportedly around $200 million.
The Hollywood Walk of Famer has sold over 100 million records worldwide since beginning his career with the Commodores in the 1970s before launching a phenomenally successful solo career in 1982 with hits like “All Night Long,” “Hello,” and “Stuck on You.”
His Beverly Hills estate, purchased in 1999 for $6 million, exemplifies his extraordinary wealth. The 13,000-square-foot mansion, which overlooks the Los Angeles Country Club, is currently valued between $40 million to $60 million.
During the 2023 US Open, Richie reportedly rented it out for an astonishing sum — either $1 million per week or $10 million for the month.
Richie’s personal fortune received considerable public attention during his divorce from his second wife, Diane Alexander. The couple married in 1995 after meeting when Alexander appeared as a dancer in Richie’s “Dancing on the Ceiling” music video.
Their relationship began controversially while Richie was still married to his college sweetheart, Brenda Harvey, whose divorce from Richie was finalized in 1993.
The dissolution of Richie and Alexander’s marriage in 2004 revealed extraordinary monthly expenses. Alexander’s court filings detailed monthly expenditures including $15,000 for clothing, $3,000 for dermatology, $1,000 for laser hair removal, plus sizable allowances for hair maintenance, facials, and therapy. She also claimed yearly expenses of $20,000 for plastic surgery and $125,000 for their son’s boarding school tuition, The Things reports.
In the Morgan interview, Richie acknowledged Alexander’s reported request for spousal support with a mixture of disbelief and pride: “She’s asking for 350 to $400,000 a month. And I said that from one point that’s ridiculous, but on the other hand, I said, ‘Boy, that makes me look like I got a lot of money!’” The final settlement reportedly reached a staggering $20 million.
Peculiarly, during divorce proceedings, the couple continued sharing their Beverly Hills mansion, which Alexander valued at $40 million in court documents. The home was staffed by nine full-time employees, highlighting the extraordinary lifestyle their wealth afforded.
Richie’s earning power remains robust decades into his career.
As a judge on “American Idol,” he reportedly earned $10 million for his first season in 2019. His wealth continues to grow with ongoing royalties from his extensive catalog.
Despite the financial complications of his marriages, Richie has maintained successful relationships with both ex-wives regarding their children.
He and Harvey share daughter Nicole Richie, while Alexander is mother to son Miles and daughter Sofia Richie. Remarkably, Harvey has developed close relationships with Richie’s children from his second marriage, demonstrating an unusual but admirable post-divorce dynamic.
As Richie told Morgan about his divorce settlement, what began as a contentious financial battle ultimately resolved with unexpected harmony.
“That was actually the joke between us that actually brought us back together and said let’s just make this work,” he offered.
