Standing behind this great man through the success of his early career was Brenda Harvey.

The two were college sweethearts and got married in 1975.

Everything was fine and dandy within the Richie household until it wasn’t.

Brenda Harvey and Lionel Richie smile at their wedding

As years went by in the couple’s marriage, they became estranged but remained legally married.

Lionel Richie, Lisa Parigi, Nicole Richie, Brenda Harvey and three others stand smiling together