At a Glance
- Nicole Richie and Joel Madden’s children, Kate and Sparrow, are now 18 and 16
- Kate, born January 11, 2008, now uses her middle name and loves bold makeup
- Sparrow, born September 9, 2009, dresses like his rock-star dad
- Why it matters: Rare family moments show how the famously private couple are raising confident, creative teens
Nicole Richie rarely posts about her children, but when she does, fans get a vivid snapshot of two teenagers forging their own identities. The former reality star and husband Joel Madden have raised Kate and Sparrow largely out of the spotlight, yet recent red-carpet appearances and candid interviews reveal how quickly they’ve grown.
Two Teenagers, Two Strong Personalities
Kate, born Harlow Winter Kate Madden, entered the world on January 11, 2008, in Los Angeles. By age 10 she was already experimenting with full glam. “She’s a glitter, a liner, a liquid liner, a blush, a lipstick, a YouTube tutorial video,” Richie told News Of Losangeles in 2018 while fronting Urban Decay’s campaign. “She should have this campaign.”
Sparrow James Midnight Madden arrived September 9, 2009. His name, inspired partly by Captain Jack Sparrow, was chosen before the couple realized both kids’ names end in “ow.” “We really just have to work with whatever it is we both agree on,” Richie explained shortly after his birth.
Private but Proud Parents
The couple, married since 2010, keep social media posts minimal. Richie broke her own rule for Kate’s 13th birthday, sharing a throwback photo of 3-month-old Kate swaddled in pink. “Here you are at 3 months old. Today you are 13,” she captioned the 2021 image. “Nothing is better than watching you become the young woman you are.”
Joel Madden posted one of the only public photos of Sparrow for the boy’s 11th birthday: a shot of Sparrow perched on his shoulders. “Happy 11th Birthday to my baby boy! … here’s to many more years of me embarrassing you,” the Good Charlotte frontman wrote.
Red-Carpet Ready
April 2024 marked a rare family outing when Kate and Sparrow joined their parents at the Los Angeles premiere of Nicole’s film Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead. Grandfather Lionel Richie and his girlfriend Lisa Parigi rounded out the group photo, showcasing three generations of the famous family.
Despite the glamorous setting, Kate and Sparrow remain largely unimpressed by Hollywood. “They are like, unless you are driving me to my friend’s house or picking me up from where I need to go, I don’t care about anything else,” Richie joked to News Of Losangeles in May 2024.
Fashion and Self-Expression
Kate’s style leans maximalist. At 10 she mastered multi-step beauty routines, favoring bold colors and glitter. Sparrow, on the other hand, channels his dad’s punk aesthetic. At 3 he insisted on cut-off sleeves, a bandana threaded through his belt loops, and a curly mohawk. “He likes to wear all black like his dad,” Richie noted in 2016.
Richie encourages both kids to own their choices. She and Kate once attended a Women’s March with four of Kate’s friends after the teen asked to go. “I want her to be able to look at any adult male or female for the rest of her life and to be able to own how she feels,” Richie told News Of Losangeles in 2018.
Name Evolution
In January 2026 Richie confirmed what close friends already knew: Harlow Winter Kate has gone by Kate her entire life. The revelation accompanied an Instagram carousel for Kate’s 18th birthday captioned simply, “18 years of you ♥️🎂 @katemaddennn.”
Growing Up Fast
Now 18, Kate navigates college applications and late-night texting. Richie’s 2021 birthday post teased, “I am so lucky I get to be your mom,” while acknowledging the bright phone screen that lights up the house at all hours.
Sparrow, 16, continues to keep a low profile, preferring guitar riffs and skateparks to social media. His rare public appearances show a lanky teen whose fashion sense-ripped black jeans, oversized hoodies, and beat-up Vans-mirrors the early-2000s punk scene his dad helped popularize.
Key Takeaways
- Nicole Richie and Joel Madden’s teenagers are forging distinct identities: Kate the glam feminist and Sparrow the reserved rocker
- Despite A-list parents, both teens value normalcy over red-carpet flash
- The family’s selective sharing offers fans brief, genuine glimpses without compromising privacy
