50 Interesting Facts about Nicole Richie, her first puppy was a gift from Prince, Michael Jackson was her godfather

Nicole Richie is the adopted daughter of Lionel Richie, the star of the 2003-2007 TV show The Simple Life and Fashion Star. She is a fashionista in her own right and mother to two adorable children. Here are 50 interesting facts about Nicole Richie.

1. Nicole Richie was born in Berkeley, California on September 21, 1981.

2. Her full name is Nicole Camille Escovedo, but later changed her last name to Richie.

3. Her biological father is Peter Michael Escovedo, a musician who briefly played with Lionel Richie, and her biological mother Karen was the executive assistant for Nicole's aunt, Sheila E.

4. She is one-quarter African American, and one-quarter Mexican.

5. Her mom, Brenda Harvey Richie, was married to her dad Lionel Richie when they took Nicole in at the age of 3 after her birth parents couldn't care for her. Brenda & Lionel legally adopted her when she was 9.

6. Growing up, she was trained in cello, violin, piano, and figure skating.

7. In 1986, Richie started kindergarten at The Buckley School, in Sherman Oaks, California, where she met Paris Hilton. Richie graduated from Montclair College Preparatory School in 1999.

8. Michael Jackson is her godfather.

9. Nicole Richie's first puppy was a gift from Prince.

10. Is the niece of Sheila E., a talented pop percussionist and drummer of 1980s.

11. Lionel Richie composed the song "Ballerina Girl" for her.

12. As a teenager, Richie began partying hard and experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

13. She studied Arts and Media for two years at the University of Arizona before dropping out and returning to California.

14. Richie was busted in February 2003 when police found heroin in her Mercedes-Benz. She plead guilty to all charges and was sentenced to probation and ordered to attend the Sierra Tucson drug rehab center in Arizona.

15. She was close friends with Aaliyah before she passed away.

16. Nicole along with her childhood friend, Paris Hilton became popular figures, thanks to their stint on the TV show 'The Simple Life'.

17. The reality show ran for over 5 seasons and Nicole Richie along with her friend Paris Hilton lived with a rural family for a month.

18. Richie continued working with Hilton through their very public falling out, but reconciled in 2006 before starring in their show's fifth season.

19. Nicole Richie's first serious relationship happened when she started dating popular Disc Jockey Adam Goldstein somewhere between 2003 and 2005.

20. In February of 2005, Richie and boyfriend Adam Goldstein, better known as club disc-jockey DJ AM, became engaged. They split ten months later.

21. Deejay Adam Goldstein gave Richie a pink sapphire ring while they were engaged.

22. Richie has also written a semi-autobiographical novel titled 'The Truth About Diamonds' while guest starring in a number of popular TV series.

23. Richie was arrested on December 11th, 2006, after she drove her black Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicle the wrong way on a freeway in Burbank, California. She reportedly told authorities she had smoked marijuana and taken the prescription painkiller Vicodin. Richie pleaded guilty in July to a misdemeanor charge, avoiding a potential year in jail because it was only a second DUI conviction.

24. Richie was also briefly linked to childhood friend Brody Jenner of MTV's The Hills.

25. In 2005, Richie made her acting debut in the comedic drama Kids in America.

26. She then went on to make several guest appearances in television series, including Eve (2003), Six Feet Under (2001) and American Dreams (2002), 8 Simple Rules (2002) and Chuck (2007).

27. One of her favorite foods is sushi.

28. In 2008, Richie launched her own jewelry line, House of Harlow 1960. Some of her celebrity clients include Ashlee Simpson and Madonna.

29. She launched Winter Kate in spring 2010 and it has blossomed into a popular high-end fashion line.

30. She has become an influential force in the fashion world. Richie shared her design insights on the reality competition Fashion Star in 2012.

31. Richie began dating guitarist Joel Madden of the band Good Charlotte in 2006.

32. On July 31, 2007, Richie announced that she and Madden would be having their first child together.

33. She gave birth to daughter Harlow Winter Kate Madden on Jan. 11, 2008, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

34. In January 2008, she and Joel Madden sold the first pictures of their newborn daughter, Harlow, for $1,000,000.

35. The couple welcomed their second child, son Sparrow James Midnight Madden, on September 9, 2009.

36. Around this time, Richie became engaged to Madden. The pair tied the knot on December 11, 2010, at the estate of Richie's father.

    
    

37. Richie's second novel, Priceless, was released on September 28, 2010. It tells the story of a girl who loses everything and then learns about what really matters in life.

38. She launched a collection for Macy's Impulse line in September 2012, which was sold in 100 Macy's stores as well as online.

39. In September 2013, Richie made a cameo appearance in Christina Aguilera's music video for the song "Let There Be Love".

40. In November 2007, Richie and Joel Madden created "The Richie Madden Children's Foundation". Richie, Joel and Benji Madden along with UNICEF held a fundraiser for the Tap Project in March 2009. They sold 143 water pumps to bring water directly to the villages and raised $100,000.

41. The Richie-Madden Foundation specially designed "Cup with a Cause" for 7-Eleven. It was a part of their charity-focused coffee campaign in February 2010.

42. Has the tattoo of a ballerina, a tiara, a Rosary, a cross, a bow with the name "Richie" below it, a shooting star on her left wrist and the word "virgin" on her right one, plus the tattoo of one wing on each side of her shoulder blade.

43. Richie has been a member of a fledgling rock band called "Darling" along with Josie Maran, and society sisters named Soleil Alberti and Sofia Alberti.

44. She has a dog, Foxy Cleopatra the Dog, named after Beyonce Knowles's character in Austin Powers in Goldmember.

45. Nicole Richie is 5' 1" tall.

46. Her net worth is $5 million.

47. Her favorite color is orange.

48. She was hospitalized with pneumonia at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in 2009.

49. Nicole has an exotic Bengal cat named Chi-Chi-Cheeta.

50. She is close friends with actress Mischa Barton.