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Nicole Richie: A Look Through the Years

From her days as a wild child to her role as a chic mom of two, celebrate the fashionista's 29th birthday on Sept. 21 (14 Photos)

Tiffany McGee on Sep 21, 2010 at 4:45AM

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Adopted by a Star

Born Nicole Camille Escovedo, Nicole Richie was legally adopted at age nine by singer Lionel Richie and his then-wife, Brenda Harvey. "My parents were friends with Lionel," Richie told People in 2003 of her adoption. "They trusted that they would be better able to provide for me." Soon after, Lionel and Brenda became embroiled in a bitter divorce after his affair with another woman was made public. "Their way of making me happy was to say yes to everything I wanted, but I don't think a little girl should have that much freedom," Richie told Vanity Fair.