Inside Nicole Richie’s Life with Husband Joel Madden and Their 2 Kids
Hollywood it-couple Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's relationship has spanned almost 20 years.
Now that Nicole Richie is gearing up to reunite with her longtime friend Paris Hilton in the Peacock special Paris & Nicole: The Encore, it’s a good time to revisit the House of Harlow designer's brag-worthy family tree.
The daughter of music legend Lionel Richie, Nicole has rubbed elbows with the rich and famous for years now, leading to friendships with people like Paris Hilton, who has known Nicole from infancy. "I’ve been laughing with her since we were 2 years old," Paris told the Hollywood Reporter when discussing their upcoming Peacock special.
But one of the most important connections Nicole made is with musician Joel Madden, the lead singer in the punk band Good Charlotte. The two met shortly after Nicole and Paris became reality TV stars in The Simple Life and the rest, as they say, is history.
Here’s a look back into how the two Nicole Richie and Joel Madden got together and where they are in their relationship now.
How did Joel Madden and Nicole Richie meet?
Nicole was 25 years old when she met Joel, who is two years her senior, at a party. At the time, Joel had just passed his 10-year anniversary with Good Charlotte, and The Simple Life was in its fourth season.
"He just kind of kept to himself. I couldn't get a read on him for the life of me," Nicole recalled of their first meeting during an interview with 60 Minutes Australia.
In the same interview, Joel admitted that, at first, they appeared to not be compatible based on their initial impressions on one another. "When I met her, I think we were both on different trains," he explained.
But not long after getting to know each other, the two hard-launched their relationship through multiple public outings together.
Who are Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's kids?
Just months after revealing their relationship, the new couple announced that they were expecting their first child.
In January 2008, their daughter, Harlow Winter Kate Madden, was born. By September 2009, they welcomed their son, Sparrow James Midnight Madden.
In those early years, Joel was still regularly performing with Good Charlotte, so Nicole decided to pack up shop and take the kids on the road.
"When my kids were born, my husband was on tour, so they grew up on a tour bus," Nicole explained to People. "I was setting up a pack-and-play on the floor of the tour bus. We turned one of the bunks into cribs, and that’s how they spent a good portion of their childhood, which I think is fun.”
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Aside from a few appearances on their parent’s social media accounts, their children live a fairly private life. At least, for now, as there’s always a chance they could follow in their parents’ footsteps and want to join the entertainment industry.
“I highly doubt that my son does,” Richie explained to Variety. “My daughter might but she’s not banging down my door asking about it. She’s really living that 16-year-old life.”
Harlow and Sparrow recently made their red-carpet debut at the 2024 Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead movie premiere, in support of their mom's starring role in the film.
All About Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's Wedding
It was early 2010 when Joel confirmed that he popped the question to the reality TV star.
Following a short engagement, Nicole and Joel had a backyard wedding on December 11, 2010 that was nothing short of star-studded. The guest list included pop singer Gwen Stefani and fellow socialite Khloe Kardashian, who was married to basketball star Lamar Odom at the time.
(Nicole's longtime bestie Paris Hilton wasn't in attendance on her special day, but Richie later showed support for Paris' marriage to Carter Reum at her 2021 wedding.)
Even though it took place in the backyard of her dad Lionel Richie's Beverly Hills home, Nicole's ceremony was extravagant. At the time, E! Online reported there was a live elephant at the event, as the bride is a big fan of the animal. As for the fashion, the actress wore three different outfits throughout the day, including a custom-designed gown by Marchesa.
Making the event all the more special was the fact that their children were a part of the wedding, with their son, Sparrow, serving as the ring barrier and their daughter, Harlow, coming down the aisle as the flower girl.
Now nearing their 20-year anniversary, the famous couple is still very much in love.
“She’s beautiful. That’s my queen,” Madden gushed on The Tamron Hall Show in 2023. “The only thing I’ve done longer than 17 years is the band. She’s been the greatest partner and you know, I feel lucky.“
Catch a glimpse of Nicole's life now when all three episodes of Paris & Nicole: The Encore premieres December 12 on Peacock.
