Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie

Birth Date: September 21, 1981
Birth Place: Berkeley, Calif.

The secret of Nicole Richie's childhood? Her parents' "way of making me happy was to say yes to everything I wanted." Of course. Adopted by singer Lionel Richie, she grew up in privileged L.A. society, where her playmates included hotel heiress Paris Hilton. In 2003, the pair starred in the reality show, The Simple Life. After arrests and problems with drugs, Richie found herself in rehab as the first season aired.

Often accused of being too thin, Richie became a style icon, with endless coverage of her shrinking frame and on-and-off relationships. Richie continued working with Hilton although they famously fell out, but reconciled in 2006 before starring in their show's fifth season. She's dating Hilary Duff's ex, rocker Joel Madden, and she gave birth to their first child, Harlow Winter Kate Madden in January 2008.