Barbadian-born global superstar Rihanna is grieving the loss of her father, Ronald Fenty, who passed away at age 70 following a brief illness.
The news was first reported by Starcom Network on Saturday, noting that family members had gathered in California, where Fenty died in the early hours of the morning. PEOPLE magazine has since confirmed the report, although the official cause and exact date of death have not been released.
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Ronald Fenty is survived by his children, including Rihanna (Robyn Rihanna Fenty), daughters Kandi, 54, and Samantha, 44, and sons Rajad and Rorrey, 35. He is also survived by his former wife, Monica Braithwaite, with whom he raised Rihanna and her brothers in Bridgetown, Barbados. Ronald worked as a warehouse supervisor, while Monica was an accountant.
Rihanna, 37, has not yet made a public statement regarding her father’s passing. The news comes just days after reports surfaced that her brother Rajad had been seen at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, with unconfirmed claims that the singer was also present at the hospital.
Rihanna’s relationship with her father has long been marked by complexity and evolution. During a candid interview with Oprah Winfrey, she shared that despite his past issues with her mother, Ronald was an important figure in her life.
“He taught me everything, and as awful as he was to my mom at times, it didn’t compare to how great he was as a father. I had to come to terms with that, and I was able to close that gap with him,” she said.
In 2019, Rihanna filed a lawsuit against her father, alleging that he had misused her name for personal financial gain. The matter was later dropped before reaching trial, suggesting that the two may have found resolution.
Ronald Fenty remained publicly supportive of his daughter, especially in her relationship with rapper A$AP Rocky, with whom Rihanna shares two young sons, Rza and Riot. The couple is currently expecting their third child.
“He’s such a cool guy. Very respectable. He’s taking to fatherhood very well,” Fenty told PageSix in 2023.
As the Fenty family mourns privately, fans around the world have taken to social media to express condolences and reflect on the journey of a father and daughter who weathered their differences in the public eye.
