Lionel Richie, the legendary singer-songwriter whose career has spanned nearly five decades, recently made headlines with surprising revelations about his turbulent romantic life.

At 74, Richie opened up about his journey through love, heartbreak, and ultimately finding happiness with his much younger partner, Lisa Parigi. This shocking confession sheds light on the highs and lows that have marked his personal life, paralleling his illustrious professional achievements.

Richie, famous for classic hits like “Hello,” “Truly,” and “Say You, Say Me,” first rose to prominence as part of the funk and soul band, The Commodores.

His career blossomed further when he went solo, achieving worldwide fame with numerous Grammy awards and nearly 100 million records sold globally. However, his success in music contrasted sharply with his less-than-ideal love life, marked by broken marriages and intense public scandals.

His first significant romantic relationship began in college when Richie met Brenda Harvey at Tuskegee University. The pair married in 1975 and adopted Nicole Richie, whose biological parents were friends struggling financially.

While their family seemed perfect from the outside, internal conflicts escalated when Brenda discovered Richie’s affair with dancer Diane Alexander in 1988. The confrontation that followed became infamous, with Brenda attacking Richie and Alexander, resulting in Brenda’s arrest on charges ranging from corporal harm to vandalism.

Lionel and Brenda’s marriage ended officially in 1993 after 18 tumultuous years. Richie quickly moved forward, marrying Diane Alexander in 1995.

Together, they had two children, Miles Brockman and Sofia Richie, but this marriage also ended in divorce in 2004. Diane famously requested $300,000 monthly in support, highlighting the lavish lifestyle they had led.

Richie’s romantic life didn’t end there; rumors linked him briefly to actress Bai Ling and songwriter Cynthia Weil. Yet, none of these relationships provided the lasting companionship Richie desired.

Despite his rocky romantic past, Lionel Richie confessed to People Magazine that he remained a “hopeless romantic,” optimistic about finding true love again.

In 2014, Richie finally found stability with Lisa Parigi, 40 years his junior. The pair met at a dinner party introduced by mutual friends, and according to Richie, the connection was immediate.

Parigi, born and raised in Switzerland with Caribbean, Swiss, and Chinese heritage, moved to Los Angeles and quickly became integral to Richie’s life. An accomplished entrepreneur, Parigi owns luxury lifestyle brand Estate Collection and skincare line GlowUp Beauty.

Richie has often praised Parigi for her beauty, intelligence, and emotional support, describing her as instrumental in helping him navigate his chaotic life. Parigi reciprocates this admiration, notably highlighting “Stuck on You” as her favorite Richie song, one that still captivates her during performances.

Their relationship has proved strong and supportive through significant public and private milestones. Parigi accompanied Richie when he received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor in 2017 and met Pope Francis with him in 2019, a moment she described as magical and unforgettable.

Beyond her deep connection with Richie, Parigi has developed warm relationships with his children, particularly Sofia. She was prominently involved in Sofia’s recent life milestones, from her bridal shower to her luxurious wedding ceremony with music executive Elliot Grainge in France in April 2023. Parigi’s closeness to Richie’s family underscores her importance beyond simply being a romantic partner.

Despite his current happiness, Richie has faced considerable personal challenges throughout his life, including a serious throat condition that threatened his singing career and emotional distress from criticism regarding his racial identity and musical style.

Reflecting on these struggles, Richie once described nearly experiencing a nervous breakdown but found renewed purpose through an inspiring encounter in Jamaica, where an elderly man encouraged him, calling him a “beacon of hope.”

As a father, Richie has embraced his role warmly, describing parenthood as grounding and transformative. His eldest, Nicole Richie, overcame early controversies to build a successful career in fashion and entertainment. Richie humorously admits parenting Nicole through her rebellious years was his toughest challenge yet.

His son, Miles, faced his own challenges, notably a bomb-threat incident at Heathrow Airport, which was resolved without lasting legal repercussions.

Youngest daughter Sofia, initially overshadowed by her father’s fame, carved out a successful modeling career independently. Richie’s pride was evident as he walked Sofia down the aisle at her wedding and joyfully embraced his new role as a grandfather with the birth of Sofia’s daughter, Eloise.

Lionel Richie’s revelation about his romantic struggles and eventual happiness with Lisa Parigi offers fans a deeply personal insight into a life filled with immense professional success and complex emotional journeys.

Whether this latest relationship will withstand the test of time remains to be seen, but Richie’s openness about love and resilience in overcoming life’s challenges continues to inspire and captivate his fans worldwide.