Nicole Richie.

Nicole Camille Escovedo was born on September 21, 1981 in Berkeley, California to Karen Moss and Peter Michael Escovedo. Lionel Richie and his then-wife Brenda Harvey-Richie adopted her at age nine, after she had been in their care since age two. Richie attended The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, where she met Paris Hilton. She graduated from Montclair College Preparatory School in 1999 and studied arts and media at the University of Arizona for two years before dropping out.

Richie’s childhood included her parents’ public divorce after Lionel’s affair became public. She attended weekly therapy sessions as a child. Her godparents include Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, and Nancy Davis.

Nicole Richie’s breakthrough came in 2003 when she starred alongside Paris Hilton in the reality series The Simple Life 2003, which followed the socialites as they tried to live ordinary lives. The show was a success and ran for five seasons. Richie made an acting appearance in the comedy-drama film Kids in America 2005 and had guest roles on television series including Eve 2003, Six Feet Under 2001, American Dreams 2002, 8 Simple Rules 2002, and Chuck 2007, where she played Heather Chandler.

Richie ventured into music, recording a demo CD and joining the rock band Darling in 2004. She announced plans to release an album in 2005, though it never materialized. In fashion, she designed a line of maternity clothes. She appeared as a guest on talk shows including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Richie was engaged to DJ AM Adam Goldstein in 2005, but the engagement ended. She began a relationship with Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden. The couple has two children together: daughter Harlow Winter Kate Madden, born January 11, 2008, and son Sparrow James Midnight Madden, born September 9, 2009. They married on December 11, 2010.

Richie was hospitalized with pneumonia at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in November 2009. She was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Burbank, California on December 11, 2006. Her close friends include Paris Hilton they had a falling out in 2005, Lindsay Lohan, and members of the Kardashian family. Richie’s biological father is believed to be Peter Michael Escovedo, though she has stated in interviews that he is not her birth father.

Nicole Richie is remembered as a defining reality TV star of the 2000s, alongside Paris Hilton. Her role in The Simple Life 2003 helped launch the trend of celebrity reality shows. Richie’s influence extends to fashion and pop culture; she was named to Maxim’s Hot 100 list in 2005 and her personal style received wide coverage. Despite legal troubles, she remains a recognizable figure.

Richie’s philanthropic efforts include participating in the Fashion for Relief show in 2005 to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims. She appeared at charity events for the Charlize Africa Outreach Program. In recent years, she has focused on her family and occasional TV appearances. Her legacy is that of a socialite turned reality star who faced public scrutiny and personal challenges.