LOS ANGELES — Ronald Fenty, the father of global pop icon Rihanna, has died at the age of 70 following a brief illness, according to reports from TMZ and Barbados’ Starcom Network. He reportedly passed away on Saturday morning in Los Angeles, where some family members, including Rihanna, are believed to have gathered.
The exact cause of death and time of Ronald’s passing remain undisclosed, and Rihanna’s representatives have not yet issued a public comment.
Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, has had a tumultuous yet enduring bond with her father over the years. Their relationship faced significant strain, including a 2019 lawsuit in which Rihanna accused Ronald and his business partner of falsely representing themselves as her agents under the name Fenty Entertainment. The suit was withdrawn in 2021, reportedly after an out-of-court settlement.
Ronald’s history with substance abuse and domestic violence has been a painful chapter in Rihanna’s life. In a 2012 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the singer opened up about witnessing her father abuse her mother, recalling one incident where he broke her mother’s nose. Ronald has also struggled with alcoholism and past crack cocaine addiction.
In 2008, Ronald was removed from Rihanna’s tour due to his behavior while intoxicated. They reportedly did not speak for two years following the incident. Yet, in a quiet act of support, Rihanna funded a $58,000 Malibu rehab program for him in 2013 to help him avoid jail.
Despite repeated attempts at reconciliation, Ronald continued to publicly embarrass his daughter. In 2014, he was ejected from her Diamond Ball gala after falling while intoxicated on the red carpet. That visit ended without father and daughter meeting, although they later reconciled once more.
In spite of their strained history, Rihanna showed ongoing support by purchasing him a house and keeping lines of communication open. The singer is one of three children Ronald shared with ex-wife Monica Braithwaite, including sons Rajad and Rorrey. Ronald also fathered three other children—Kandy, Samantha, and Jamie—from previous relationships.
TMZ published photos of Rihanna’s brother Rajad Fenty arriving at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Rihanna is believed to have been in the same vehicle, though she was not photographed.
Despite their history, Ronald publicly praised Rihanna during his 2020 battle with COVID-19, telling The Sun that she checked on him daily and even sent a ventilator to Barbados for his care.
“I thought I was going to die to be honest,” he said. “I love you so much, Robyn. She did so much for me. I appreciate everything she has done.”
In 2022, Ronald expressed joy upon learning of Rihanna’s first pregnancy with partner A$AP Rocky, calling her “a good mom” and saying he was “over the moon” at the news. He had met Rocky in 2020 when Rihanna brought the rapper home to Barbados, later describing him as “a very cool guy.”
Rihanna has not yet commented publicly on her father’s death, but fans and celebrity peers are expected to offer condolences in the coming days. Given their complex history, the loss marks a deeply emotional and multifaceted moment in the pop star’s personal life.
