Rihanna’s Father, Ronald Fenty, Passes Away at 70
Ronald Fenty, the father of pop icon Rihanna, has reportedly passed away at the age of 70. His death occurred early Saturday morning in Los Angeles, as confirmed by Page Six and Starcom Network News.
The specific cause of death has not been disclosed, but sources indicate that he died after a “brief illness.” Family members have come together in California to honor his life during this difficult time.
Family Gatherings and Public Response
Images obtained show Rihanna’s brother, Rajad Fenty, visiting Ronald at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center earlier in the week, leading to speculation that Rihanna may have been present, although she is not seen in the photos. As of now, the singer has not made any public statements regarding her father’s death.
This news arrives as Rihanna is expecting her third child with A$AP Rocky, having recently announced her pregnancy by showcasing her baby bump at the most recent Met Gala.
Complex Relationship Dynamics
Rihanna and her father had a tumultuous relationship over the years. Ronald battled issues with addiction, which contributed to conflicts between them. He also divorced Rihanna’s mother, Monica Braithwaite, when Rihanna was just 14, further complicating their relationship.
In a 2011 interview with Vogue, Rihanna described her relationship with her father as “really strange,” reflecting on the unexpected behavior she encountered from him over the years. However, by 2012, she stated that they had managed to reconcile, recognizing both his shortcomings and his strengths as a father.
Recent Legal Disputes and Reconciliation
Despite their reconciliation, tensions arose again in 2019 when Rihanna sued Ronald for allegedly exploiting her name through his business ventures. However, she dismissed the lawsuit shortly before it went to trial in 2021, suggesting they had mended their relationship once more.
Ronald had previously conveyed his joy in being a grandfather to Rihanna’s son, RZA, expressing pride in her as a new mother. He noted that she had brought her child back to Barbados multiple times, highlighting their family bonds.
