Rihanna’s father, Ronald Fenty, has reportedly passed away at the age of 70. According to Starcom Network News, a radio station in Barbados, he died early Saturday morning in Los Angeles.
The exact cause of death has not been confirmed, but the outlet reported that he passed after a brief illness.
Family members have gathered in California to honor his memory.
Rihanna has not yet spoken publicly about her father’s passing. The news comes as she is expecting her third child with longtime boyfriend A$AP Rocky.
She announced her pregnancy earlier this month by showing her baby bump at the Met Gala.
Rihanna, had a complicated relationship with her father over the years. He reportedly struggled with alcohol and drug abuse, which led to conflicts between them, according to Page Six. Ronald also divorced Rihanna’s mother, Monica Braithwaite, when the singer was 14.
Despite the challenges, there were times when Rihanna and her father tried to repair their relationship. Over the years, they were occasionally seen together at public events. However, tensions resurfaced at different points. In 2019, Rihanna filed a lawsuit against Ronald, accusing him of using her name without permission to profit from business deals. The lawsuit was eventually dropped.
In later years, Rihanna reportedly helped her father financially and even supported him when he battled COVID-19 in 2020, sending him medical equipment and resources to help him recover.
Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988, in Barbados, is a global superstar known for her music, fashion, and business ventures. She rose to fame in 2005 with her debut single “Pon de Replay,” quickly becoming one of the world’s top pop and R&B artists with hits like “Umbrella,” “Diamonds,” and “We Found Love.” Beyond music, Rihanna built a business empire, launching her Fenty Beauty cosmetics line in 2017, which was praised for its inclusivity and became a massive success. She also expanded into fashion with her Savage X Fenty lingerie brand. Over the years, Rihanna has earned numerous awards, including Grammys, and was named a billionaire by Forbes due to her business ventures.
