Rihanna’s father Ronald Fenty passes away from illness at 70

Rihanna’s father passes away at 70

Ronald Fenty, the father of global music icon and business mogul Rihanna, has passed away at the age of 70, TMZ has confirmed. A source with direct knowledge told the outlet that Ronald died in Los Angeles after a battle with an undisclosed illness. His passing marks a somber chapter in the life of one of the world’s most famous entertainers and brings renewed attention to the often complex, but ultimately reconciling, relationship between Rihanna and her father.

The Fenty family has not released a formal statement yet, but the presence of Rihanna and her brother Rajad Fenty at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Wednesday points to their being by his side during his final moments. Although Rihanna was not visible in the photo that surfaced online, sources confirm she was in the car arriving at the hospital with Rajad.

A Complicated Relationship That Came Full Circle

Rihanna and her father shared a tumultuous relationship over the years. Born Robyn Rihanna Fenty in Barbados, the singer has spoken openly about the struggles she faced growing up with Ronald, including his battles with alcoholism and drug addiction. These challenges created a rift between them, and they spent long stretches of time estranged from one another, especially during the early years of her rise to global fame.

In past interviews, Rihanna has detailed how her childhood was marred by her father’s behavior. “I witnessed domestic violence between my parents,” she said in a 2009 interview with Diane Sawyer. “I was always terrified on Friday afternoons, knowing that my father was coming home.” These painful experiences shaped much of her emotional resilience and later inspired powerful moments in her music, such as the emotionally raw track “Cold Case Love.”

Despite their differences, Rihanna made efforts to reconnect with Ronald over the years. In the late 2010s, she even paid for his medical treatment in Barbados when he contracted COVID-19. “My daughter Robyn was checking in on me every day,” Ronald said at the time, expressing deep gratitude for her support. He eventually recovered and spoke publicly about their reconciliation, saying he hoped to be more present in his grandchildren’s lives.

His Last Public Moments

One of Ronald Fenty’s final public statements came in February 2023, when he spoke with TMZ about Rihanna’s second pregnancy with rapper A$AP Rocky. At the time, he said he was “over the moon” about the news and looked forward to spending time with his growing family.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky currently share two young sons, RZA and Riot Rose, born in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Although Ronald remained relatively private in recent years, it was clear he cherished the opportunity to be a grandfather and saw the new chapter of Rihanna’s life as a time for healing and reconnection.

A Father, Husband, and Man of Barbados

Ronald Fenty shared three children with his ex-wife Monica Braithwaite — Rihanna, Rajad, and Rorrey. The couple divorced in 2002, around the same time Rihanna’s career was starting to take off. Despite the family’s personal challenges, Ronald was instrumental in Rihanna’s early life and reportedly encouraged her musical interests, attending some of her earliest performances.

In Barbados, Ronald Fenty was a figure known to the community, both for his familial ties to Rihanna and for his own business ventures. He worked in the garment industry and was often seen engaging with fans and tourists curious about his daughter’s background. While he never reached the public stature of Rihanna herself, his life was closely followed by media due to her global fame.

Legal Disputes and Business Tensions

Their father-daughter relationship wasn’t without public strife. In 2019, Rihanna filed a lawsuit against Ronald, accusing him of exploiting her name and brand through his entertainment company, Fenty Entertainment, without her consent. The suit claimed that Ronald falsely booked shows and appearances under the guise of representing her. Rihanna sought an injunction to bar him from using the “Fenty” name for business purposes.

However, the lawsuit was eventually dismissed in 2021, and sources close to the family suggested the two had reconciled privately. Ronald later told the press that he wanted to “move forward” and focus on restoring trust and building a better connection with his daughter.

Rihanna’s Strength in the Face of Loss

As the world mourns the loss of Ronald Fenty, fans and peers alike are showing support for Rihanna. While she has not posted about her father’s death as of this writing, those familiar with the singer know she has always handled personal matters with grace and guarded privacy.

Now a mother of two, a multi-Grammy winner, a billionaire entrepreneur, and a national hero of Barbados, Rihanna has always been seen as a woman who carries the weight of her past with purpose, not bitterness. The death of her father will no doubt be a deeply personal loss — not just as a daughter, but as someone who made efforts to mend a fractured relationship, even after years of difficulty.

The Legacy of Ronald Fenty

Ronald Fenty’s life will be remembered not just for his connection to one of the most successful entertainers of this generation, but as a man whose story included redemption, reflection, and reconnection. His journey mirrored the complexities of many families — where love can be tangled with pain, but forgiveness can eventually take root.

His final years seemed to reflect a man who had learned from his past and wanted to make amends — not only with his daughter, but with himself. He expressed pride in Rihanna’s accomplishments and seemed to find peace in the idea of being part of her and his grandchildren’s lives.

Ronald Fenty leaves behind his children, extended family, and a legacy that is forever intertwined with one of the most culturally impactful artists of our time. For Rihanna and her siblings Rajad and Rorrey, this moment is a reminder of the fragile, complicated beauty of family — and of the ways time can sometimes heal even the deepest of wounds.

He was 70 years old.

May he rest in peace.