Nicole Richie and Joel Madden’s Most Romantic Moments

Credit: Dave Allocca/Starpix/Shutterstock; Courtesy Joel Madden/Instagram; Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock; MEGA

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's Most Romantic Moments

Partners in crime! Nicole Richie and Joel Madden have stood by each other’s side through thick and thin over the course of their relationship. The duo began dating in December 2006 after the Good Charlotte lead singer turned on the charm for Richie. "When I first would see her around, we were friends," Madden told Australia's 60 Minutes in April 2013. ”But I don't think I'm the obvious choice. I'm always like, 'Just give me a shot. Just give me one date.' If I can get my foot in the door …" Two years later, the Simple Life alum and Madden welcomed their daughter, Harlow, followed by their son, Sparrow, in 2009. The couple announced their engagement in February 2010 and tied the knot in December of that year. The Great News alum admitted in March 2012 that she and the Maryland native were “polar opposites” when they first got together. "He's very family-oriented," Richie, who is the eldest daughter of Lionel Richie, told Ocean Drive Magazine. "He grew up with four brothers and sisters. When we met, I was definitely going through a difficult time with my family, and having him have such a strong foundation really opened the doors and brought both of our families together." [jwplayer jdX9NjZr-zhNYySv2] The California native told Us Weekly in September 2019 that having fun is the foundation of their successful relationship. “I don’t know [if there’s] a secret [to it], other than we love to laugh and have fun,” Nicole explained at the time. “It’s nice doing the journey of life together. Doing it with somebody else that has the same goals as you is a really fun way to live.” She also gushed to Us that Madden is “the most supportive.” One of the duo’s common goals is to instill good values in their children. “I think we just have to encourage kids to be themselves and to stand up for what they believe in and to stand up for something,” Nicole noted. Nicole is so lucky in love that she decided to spread the love. She revealed in July 2014 that she set up Cameron Diaz with Madden’s twin brother, Benji Madden. “I’m going to take responsibility for everything!” she said on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. “I am a devoted sister-in-law. I’m happy for anyone who is happy, and I want everyone to be surrounded with love.” Diaz and Benji tied the knot in January 2015 and announced the arrival of daughter Raddix in January 2020. Take a look back at Nicole and Joel's most romantic moments.

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September 2007

Joel smooched a pregnant Nicole during a trip to Hawaii to celebrate Richie's 26th birthday in 2007.

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March 2008

The new parents had coffee and a stroll in L.A.'s Westwood area in March 2008.

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January 2009

Joel "is so sweet and nice ... when he's asleep," joked Nicole in October 2009, one month after giving birth to son Sparrow James Midnight Madden.

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October 2009

"We're really focused on our family, and ... we already feel kind of married, you know?" Joel told Larry King in 2009. "Our family system that we have down, we feel like this is a real family and marriage, one day it will come."

Credit: Courtesy Joel Madden/Instagram

December 2009

Family day! "Harlow loves being a big sister," Nicole told Us.

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December 2009

The couple got close at a Los Angeles Lakers game December 29.

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February 2010

Nicole confirmed her beau of four years had popped the question during an appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman. "We've been engaged for a while so you're all kind of late on that," Joel later tweeted. "But Thanks for the hooplah all the same."

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March 2010

"We're kind of doing it at our own pace," Joel said of finalizing their wedding plans. "It's a big deal!" added his bride-to-be.

Credit: Courtesy Joel Madden/Instagram

December 2010

The couple tied the knot on December 11 after four years of dating.

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October 2011

Nicole and Joel took their children to welcome Rapunzel as the latest Disney princess at a celebration event in London.

Credit: Courtesy Nicole Richie/Instagram

December 2012

Joel paid a sweet tribute to Nicole on their anniversary. "We just spent a few days off the grid celebrating our second wedding anniversary,” he wrote via Tumblr. “Sometimes I keep it to myself and sometimes I can't help myself and I gotta tell the whole world how much I love her. This is one of those times. I can't help it.”

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April 2013

Joel told Australia's 60 Minutes he was so enamored by Nicole he begged her to date him. "When I first would see her around, we were friends," he recalled. "But I don't think I'm the obvious choice. I'm always like, 'Just give me a shot. Just give me one date.' If I can get my foot in the door …"

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December 2015

The pair shut down divorce rumors when Nicole posted a photo of herself via Instagram wearing a “Mrs. Madden” sweatshirt and the musician shared a pic of his family captioned, "Me and my three.”

Credit: Courtesy Joel Madden/Instagram

September 2016

"Best Mom, Best Friend, Best Wife. Happy Birthday Nicole, You keep us all laughing,” Joel wrote via Instagram for his wife's 35th birthday.

Credit: Courtesy Joel Madden/Instagram

July 2017

Joel shared a sweet selfie with Nicole at the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. "Summer vacation back home,” he wrote via Instagram.

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December 2018

Nicole told Us her favorite activity is “to be in sweats” and “shut off” with Joel and their children.

Credit: Courtesy Nicole Richie/Instagram

January 2019

Nicole rang in the new year on the beach with Joel and Sparrow.

Credit: Courtesy Nicole Richie/Instagram

March 2019

Nicole posted a throwback photo of herself and Joel for the singer’s birthday. “Here we are at 25 & 27,” she wrote. “Today you’re 40. Happy Birthday to my P.I.C., my ride or die, & my best friend for life @joelmadden.”

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September 2019

Nicole told Us that Joel is “the most supportive” person in her life.

Credit: Courtesy Joel Madden/Instagram

December 2019

“Met my match,” Nicole captioned a tennis selfie of the pair via Instagram.

Credit: Courtesy Joel Madden/Instagram

May 2020

Joel penned a sweet Mother’s Day tribute to Nicole. “Happy Mother’s Day to one of the best to ever do it, Nicole we love you and I Thank you,” he wrote. “You take care of us all, and you make our house a home. And To all the moms out there holding it down for your families in these difficult times, we all say thank you and we hope you are getting all the flowers today, you deserve them.”

Credit: Courtesy Joel Madden/Instagram

December 2020

Nicole and Joel celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary. 

Credit: Courtesy of Joel Madden/Instagram

February 2021

For Valentine’s Day, Richie posted a cute video of the pair dancing together, writing: “My Valentine ♥️.” Madden, for his part, shared a sweet pic of the designer on top of his shoulders that he captioned, “Happy 14th Valentine’s Day❤️ @nicolerichie.”

Credit: Courtesy Nicole Richie/Instagram

June 2021

Nicole posted a throwback video of herself, Joel and the kids picking out a Christmas tree. “3 years ago. Our favorite fight with you is our yearly fight about how tall our Christmas tree can be, & we wouldnt [sic] have it any other way,” she wrote of the hilarious clip on Instagram. “Happy Fathers [sic] Day @joelmadden we love you and your … quirks.” 

Credit: Courtesy Joel Madden/Instagram

September 2021

“Happy Birthday Nicole,” Joel captioned a series of Instagram photos with his wife. “You’ve made love feel timeless I’ve forgotten how old we are.”

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March 2022

Richie wished her husband a happy 43rd birthday with a joking reference to beloved 1990s sitcom Sister, Sister. "Happy birthday to my 2nd favorite twins @joelmadden @benjaminmadden," she wrote in an Instagram Story alongside a photo of Tia and Tamera Mowry in character.

Credit: Courtesy of Nicole Richie/Instagram

August 2022

After Joel gushed over his excitement to host Paramount+’s forthcoming season of its Inkmaster competition, Nicole shared his accomplishment via her Instagram. “Proud and Horny,” she wrote via Instagram Story.

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October 2022

During an interview with ET Canada, the Simple Life alum revealed her secret to a long-lasting relationship in Hollywood: there isn’t one.

“I don’t have a secret,” Richie explained. “We let each other be ourselves and we have fun. We’re both smooth operators.”

The former reality star also reflected on when the couple first began dating, noting how they would “play house” by babysitting her younger sister, Sofia Richie. 

“I think Sofia was eight or nine when Joel and I started dating. And so she was kind of like … she wasn’t our first kid, but we were taking care of her and we were taking her to the movies,” she shared. “I get very emotional when I talk about her all the time. So I have to really pull back because I just love her so much.”