For seven years, Diane Alexander Richie has had everything she wanted: a $40-million mansion, Range Rovers and Porsches, plastic surgery, a dog groomer, unlimited money for shoes from Saks. But she doesn't want to be Lionel Richie's wife anymore.
By LANE DeGREGORY
Published March 8, 2004
[AP photo]
Lionel Richie gets a kiss from his wife, Diane, afer his new star was unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles in June 2003.
For seven years, Diane Alexander Richie has had everything she wanted: a $40-million mansion, Range Rovers and Porsches, plastic surgery, a dog groomer, unlimited money for shoes from Saks.
But she doesn't want to be Lionel Richie's wife anymore.
Diane and Lionel Richie filed for divorce last fall. They have a 9-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter. Lionel Richie also has an older daughter from his first marriage, Nicole Richie, who recently starred in Fox TV's The Simple Life.
On Tuesday, Diane Richie filed papers in Los Angeles Superior Court asking for $300,000 in monthly support for herself and her kids.
The Respondent and I had an extraordinarily extravagant lifestyle. . . . We could comfortably afford to spend unlimited sums of money on everything and anything we chose. I had no limit on what I could spend.
We vacationed several times a year at the most popular resorts and on exclusive yachts. . . . We stayed in suites which cost a minimum of $1,000 to $3,000 per night. We arranged to have limousines and drivers at our disposal. . . . We normally brought at least two staff members with us on these trips (the Respondent's assistant and a nanny for the children.)
The Respondent and I always had a minimum of six automobiles. I typically drive the Range Rover and Porsche. Our nannies drive our Suburban, which has enough seating to drive a car pool.
In addition to our automobiles, the Respondent and I pay $1,000 per month for my mother's car.
I spend at least $15,000 per month on clothing, shoes and accessories for myself. I regularly shop at Neiman Marcus, Barneys, Fred Segal, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Fendi and Dolce & Gabbana.
Our daughter Sofia is invited to at least two birthday parties each weekend. Therefore, I spend at least $1,000 per month for her friends' birthday presents.
In addition to nine full-time staff members, we also employ people to maintain our plants, detail our cars, care for our pool, groom our dog, maintain our aquarium and a painter for regular touch-ups on the house.
Our house is located on Copely Place in Beverly Hills overlooking the Los Angeles Country Club. It is the original Guggenheim estate.
Our house is worth in excess of $40-million.
The house is in excess of 18,000 square feet and has seven bedrooms and 17 bathrooms.
The house consists of over 30 rooms including, but not limited to, a music room containing a grand piano, billiards room, formal library, formal dining room, wine room, gym, recording studio, theater, family room, multiple offices, pool house, elevator, a safe room and a separate staff recreation room/kitchen.
We have many pieces of furniture, each worth between $10,000 and $25,000. In addition, we have other items in our house of substantial value, including a chandelier worth in excess of $35,000, a tapestry worth $50,000 and Oriental rugs which total at least $150,000.
The Respondent and I employ a minimum of eight full-time staff members in our home at all times. We have a house manager, a head housekeeper, three additional housekeepers (two of whom also function as nannies), an assistant to the house manager, the Respondent's secretary and a full-time gardener. We spend between $35,000 and $45,000 per month in connection with the salaries of our staff as well as for their insurance, gasoline and incidentals. The food and beverage budget for our household, including staff, is about $1,000 to $1,500 per week.
I spend in excess of $50,000 a month for my own personal services, entertainment and shopping, including, but not limited to, dermatology of $3,000 a month; a minimum of $600 a month on hair; $250 a month on nails; $150 a month on electrolysis; $1,000 on laser hair removal; $450 on facials; $500 a month for my trainer; $600 a month for Pilates; $600 a month on massages; $600 a month on therapy; at least $3,000 to $5,000 a month on entertainment (restaurants, movies, theatre, etc.); at least $10,000 to $15,000 a month on clothing, shoes and purses; $5,000 a month on jewelry; $5,000 a month on gifts for birthdays, wedding anniversaries, graduations, etc.; $500 to $1,000 per month for computer lessons; $500 to $600 per month for vitamins as well as $500 per month for alterations, dry cleaning and clothing repair. In addition, I spend at least $20,000 a year on plastic surgery. These numbers are conservative estimates and do no include what I spend on our children.
Our children have always shared in our extravagant lifestyle.
Our 9-year-old son, Miles, attends a boarding school in Colorado. The tuition for this school is approximately $125,000 per year. In addition to his tuition, I spend substantial sums of money each month for Miles' clothing, presents, equipment for skiing and other sports, books, CDs, etc.
I try to visit Miles at least once a month. Each trip costs between $15,000 and $20,000. The Respondent and I pay for Sofia and the other family members and friends to accompany me to visit Miles. In addition, we always travel with our nanny.
Our 5-year-old daughter, Sofia, attends school (where the tuition) is approximately $16,000 per year. In addition, there is a minimum of $5,000 in other fees associated with school lunches, extra-curricular events, etc. Sofia participates in a number of extra-curricular activities. She takes piano lessons ($400 per month), computer lessons ($800 per month), art class ($400 per month) and dance ($400 per month). In addition, I spend at least another $500 per month for equipment related to these activities (computer hardware and software, art supplies, ballet shoes, tutus, etc.). I plan to begin sending Sofia to a therapist, which I anticipate will cost at least $400 per month.
I spend at least $750 to $1,000 per month on clothing and other miscellaneous items for the children. For the children, I regularly shop at Fred Segal, Ragg Tattoo, Young American and The Gap.
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.
