The Simple Life star Nicole Richie and Good Charlotte musician Joel Madden have been married for more than 10 years and have been dating for nearly two years. This couple was early ’80s royalty, married quickly, and managed to last far longer than most marriages built in the era of Tumblr.
They currently have two children and appear to be in a happy relationship. Here’s the full timeline of their relationship so far:
December 2006
Like many couples, the couple met at a party in 2006. Richie was 25 and Madden was 27 at the time.
“He was there with my girlfriend’s sister and we met very briefly,” she told 60 Minutes Australia. “He was very shy and kept to himself. I could never understand him.”
The pair first became romantically involved in December of that year when they were spotted at the bar at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. Richie later shared details of their early relationship while on air with Ryan Seacrest.
“When I met him, he said, ‘Have you seen The Wire?’ So I lied and said that, and he started spending time with me,” she said. “Little did I know he literally dropped me off like Season 3. He was like, ‘Oh, cool, Season 3, Episode 4.’ I pretended like I knew everything, which was terrible, and I hated the show after that.”
August 2007
The couple were interviewed by Diane Sawyer, and Ritchie confirmed that she was pregnant with their first child, saying, “It’s almost four months.”
Madden also said, “Once you get to know her, it’s hard not to fall in love with her.”
November 2007
Madden told People: “The birth of our baby is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me and to us.[We’re]really happy.”
December 2007
The couple started the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation, a former charity, to provide direct support to families in need.
“We grew up in Los Angeles, and we want our kids to know that they are part of the community and have a responsibility to help the community,” Madden said at the time. Before it closed, the couple used the organization to give $200,000 to 100 mothers.
January 2008
The couple welcomed their first child, Harlow Winter Kate Madden, on January 11, 2008.
February 2009
Madden announced in February 2009 that she and Richie were expecting their second child, writing on her now-deleted blog: “I’m so happy to tell everyone that Harlow is going to be a big sister! God has truly blessed my family. I hope you’re all doing as well as I am right now.”
June 2009
As for whether she will know the gender of her second baby in advance, Madden told People magazine, “We were expecting baby number one, and it was such an amazing experience, so I can’t wait to see what the next baby will be…I’m so excited to wait for it.”
He added that it was much less stressful for them this time.
“It’s a lot easier,” he said. “You’ve already been through it, but it’s not as intense or dramatic. We’re a little more relaxed. It’s actually kind of good.”
September 2009
Their second child, Sparrow James Midnight Madden, was born on September 9, 2009.
October 2009
In response to a question about marriage in an interview with Larry King, Madden said, “We’re really focused on our family and… we feel like we’re already married, right? The family system that we’re beating, we feel like this is a real family and marriage, and one day it’s going to come.”
February 2010
Richie finally confirmed that he was engaged during an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman.
“We’ve been engaged for a while so you guys are a little late on that one,” Madden said later in the tweet. “But thank you for making such a fuss anyway.”
“P.S. That’s why I love my family and friends. None of them were sources of information. They were just good people who kept their mouths shut and kept us entertained! Thank you everyone.”
Years later, he spoke about the proposal to 60 Minutes Australia.
“I hinted at it, but she’s not one to beg anyone for anything. She was always very unfazed when I hinted at it,” he said. “I was waiting for her to say, ‘Oh! When are you going to ask?’ And she’s not that kind of woman. She keeps you on your toes.”
He continued, “I woke up one morning and said, ‘What am I doing? I’m an idiot. Why didn’t I ask her to marry me?'” And that night, he did it. ”
December 2010
Richie and Madden were married on December 11, 2010 at Richie’s father Lionel Richie’s estate in Los Angeles. The event was attended by Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rossdale, Benji Madden, Samantha Ronson and more.
April 2013
In an interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Madden spoke at length about their early days.
“It’s like a religious experience,” he said of meeting her for the first time. “It’s a cathartic, life-changing event. You meet someone you know and it’s going to be your wife… She’s my best friend. She’s the only person I’ve ever met who has had as much of an impact on my life as my brother Benji.”
He also said it was a different first impression for Richie.
“When I first met her, we were friends,” Madden said. “But I don’t think I’m the obvious choice. I’m always like, ‘Let’s just give it a shot. Just give me one date.'” If I can get my foot in the door. ”
Richie said he was back and explained, “I think part of what draws Joel and I together is our appreciation for the same things…He’s such a romantic.”
July 2014
In July 2014, Richie revealed on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen that he had adopted Madden’s twin brother Benji Madden and Cameron Diaz.
“I will take responsibility for everything!” she said. “I am a devoted sister-in-law. Everyone who is happy is happy and I want everyone to be surrounded by love.”
The couple also appeared on “Oprah: Where Are You?” We talked about their partnership in 2014.
“We met and were partners from day one,” Ritchie told Oprah Winfrey.
September 2019
Richie spoke to Us Weekly about his secret to a successful relationship.
“I don’t know[if there’s a secret]other than we love to laugh and have fun,” she said. “It’s great to be on the journey of life together. Traveling with someone who has the same goals as you is a really fun way to live.”
She added that Madden was “the most supportive” and shared their views on parenting.
“I think we need to encourage kids to be themselves, to stand up for what they believe in, to stand up for something,” Ritchie explained.
December 2020
To celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in 2020, Madden shared a sweet black-and-white photo.
“Married 10 years and kids 😍❤️,” Madden captioned the photo. “Thank you honey, you make life beautiful.”
October 2022
Richie was again asked about maintaining a long marriage in an interview with ET Canada.
“I don’t have any secrets. We just let each other be who we are,” she said. “We’re having fun.”
When asked if it’s been “plain sailing”, Richie admitted: “Not always… it’s been smooth sailing for both of us.”
She also shared her memories of babysitting her younger sister, Sofia Richie, with Madden.
“I think Sofia was 8 or 9 when Joel and I started dating. So she was… She wasn’t our first child, but we were taking care of her and taking her to the movies,” she shared. “I get so emotional talking about her all the time. So I really have to step back because I love her so much.”
April 22, 2023
According to Vogue, the two were in Sophia’s wedding party when she married Elliott Grainge in an elaborate ceremony in the south of France. Richie was her sister’s maid of honor.
November 2023
During an appearance on The Tamron Hall Show, Madden said of Richie, “She’s beautiful. That’s my queen. The band is all I’ve done for over 17 years. She’s been the best partner and you know, I feel lucky.”
March 2024
Richie and Madden looked stunning at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
April 2024
Madden was by Richie’s side at the Don’t Tell Mama The Babysitters Dead premiere, as were his two children Harlow and Sparrow, and Richie’s father Lionel Richie.
November 2024
On November 1st, the couple attended Carlos Eric Lopez’s 4th Annual Día de Muertos Gala at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood.
Later that month, they attended the 2024 Baby2Baby Gala afterparty.
November 2025
On Nov. 11, Richie publicly responded to Hilary Duff’s new song “Mature,” sparking speculation that Duff and Madden’s mid-2000s romance inspired the song.
According to E!, Richie posted a photo to his Instagram Story of himself and Duff lying hand in hand on the grass. She wrote, “I don’t like to use the word ‘mature’ to describe us, but this song is BOP anyway.”
