Sebastian Coe Steps Out with Diane Alexander at World Athletics Awards
Sebastian Coe, the esteemed President of World Athletics and a two-time Olympic gold medallist, recently made a striking appearance at the World Athletics Awards 2025 in Monaco, turning heads with his plus-one. The British sporting icon, 69, was accompanied by Diane Alexander, the glamorous ex-wife of music legend Lionel Richie. The pair, who have reportedly been dating for several months, posed for photographs, with Coe seen with his arm around Alexander’s waist.
Alexander, 58, a US model and fashion designer, was previously married to pop superstar Lionel Richie, 76, for nine years. Their union, which produced two children, Miles, 31, and Sofia, 27, ended in divorce in 2004. Lord Coe, who has been married twice before, is understood to be seriously involved with Alexander. The couple reportedly met through mutual acquaintances, and this public outing has fuelled speculation about a potential third marriage for the former middle-distance runner.
This red-carpet debut comes after earlier reports in July suggested a reconciliation between Coe and Sarah Robarts, a 58-year-old PR professional from Los Angeles. Coe and Robarts were previously engaged for a period of nine months before their split in 2023. While they were seen together over the summer, sources have indicated that claims of a reunion were inaccurate and that they remain friends.
A New Chapter for Lord Coe
Lord Coe, a former Conservative MP and a member of the House of Lords for 22 years, appears to have found a new romantic interest in Diane Richie, née Alexander. Coe’s previous marriages include one to Nicky McIrvine, which ended in divorce in 2002 and resulted in four children. He later married journalist Carole Annett in 2011, but they separated in early 2020.
The Tumultuous Past of Diane Alexander
Diane Alexander’s previous marriage to Lionel Richie was marked by significant public attention, particularly surrounding their divorce proceedings. The settlement was reportedly in the region of $20 million, with “irreconcilable differences” cited as the reason for their split. Reports at the time detailed an exceptionally extravagant lifestyle, with claims of substantial monthly allowances for clothing and a significant budget allocated for cosmetic surgery.
According to a 2004 CNN report, Alexander allegedly informed a judge that the couple’s joint monthly expenditure regularly exceeded $300,000. Her personal monthly expenses, as outlined in a published declaration, included approximately $15,000 for clothing and footwear, $3,000 for “dermatology,” and $1,000 for laser hair removal. Furthermore, at the age of 37, she reported monthly spending of $600 on hair, $250 on manicures, $450 on facials, and $1,100 on personal training and activities like Pilates. Annual expenses also included $20,000 for plastic surgery and her son’s $125,000-a-year boarding school fees in Colorado.
Alexander stated in her declaration, “(Lionel Richie) and I had an extraordinary extravagant lifestyle. (We) regularly spent in excess of $300,000 a month. We could comfortably afford to spend unlimited sums of money on everything and anything we chose. I had no limit on what I could spend.” While the exact sum she sought in the divorce was not publicly disclosed, the eventual settlement was widely reported as $20 million.
Lionel Richie’s Wealth and Career
Lionel Richie, a global music icon with an estimated net worth exceeding $200 million, achieved fame both as a solo artist and as a member of the band The Commodores. His extensive catalogue of hits includes timeless classics such as “Hello,” “All Night Long,” “Say You, Say Me,” and “Dancing on the Ceiling,” as well as the iconic duet “Endless Love” with Diana Ross.
A Dramatic Incident Recounted
In his recent memoir, “Truly: An Inspirational Journey Through the Life of a Musical Legend,” Lionel Richie shed light on a dramatic incident that reportedly contributed to the breakdown of his first marriage to Brenda Harvey. The book details an explosive confrontation involving Harvey and Diane Alexander, whom Richie was seeing at the time.
Richie recounts how, after separating from Harvey and seeking solitude at a beach house, he decided to visit Diane at her apartment in Beverly Hills. Shortly after his arrival, Brenda Harvey appeared at the door, leading to a significant confrontation. Richie described it as “the most awful screaming match of my life,” which took place in a confined entryway. He recalled trying to de-escalate the situation and draw Brenda away.
Following the initial altercation, Richie and Harvey left the apartment, but Harvey reportedly returned to resume the argument. This led to neighbours calling the police. According to the Los Angeles Times, Brenda Harvey was arrested and booked on suspicion of corporal injury to a spouse, resisting arrest, and battery. Lionel Richie himself alleged that he was kicked in the stomach by Harvey during the argument.
Reflecting on the event in his memoir, Richie described the situation as a “tragedy” and acknowledged the profound heartbreak experienced by Brenda Harvey. He noted the unpredictable nature of such intense moments, stating, “You never know what you are going to do or feel until you’re in the moment and it’s in your face.” He also revealed that prior to this incident, he was uncertain about the future of his marriage to Brenda. However, the dramatic confrontation solidified his decision that the marriage was over.
Lionel Richie married Diane Alexander two years after this incident. Their marriage lasted nine years and produced two children before they too divorced.
Diane Alexander’s Current Persona
Online, Diane Alexander describes herself as a “talker & Mama to Miles & Sofia.” She also identifies as a “homebody, introvert, crier, lupus Warrior and insane plant mama.”
