Rihanna’s Father Ronald Fenty Dies at 70 After Brief Illness

Ronald Fenty, the father of global pop icon Rihanna, has passed away at the age of 70. The news was first reported by Starcom Network, a media outlet based in Rihanna’s native Barbados, which confirmed that Fenty died in Los Angeles after a brief illness.

Although the exact cause and date of his passing have not been publicly disclosed, sources close to the family revealed that Ronald Fenty’s loved ones were by his side during his final moments.

Rihanna, who is currently expecting her third child with longtime partner A$AP Rocky, was reportedly seen arriving at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles with her brother Rajad Fenty on May 28, as captured in photos obtained by TMZ.

A Complicated Relationship

Ronald Fenty’s relationship with his daughter was complicated and often made headlines over the years. Born in Barbados, he and Rihanna’s mother, Monica Braithwaite, raised their family in the capital city of Bridgetown. Their home, a modest bungalow, now sits on a street famously renamed “Rihanna Drive” in honor of the superstar.

Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty in 1988, shared her childhood with siblings Rajad and Rorrey, and also has three half-siblings from her father’s previous relationships. Ronald and Monica separated when Rihanna was young and officially divorced in 2002, when she was just 14.

While Ronald was instrumental in Rihanna’s early life, their relationship was often strained in the public eye. One of the most notable rifts occurred after Ronald gave unauthorized interviews following the 2009 incident involving Chris Brown, an action Rihanna later criticized in public interviews.

Legal Disputes and Reconciliation

In 2019, the relationship took another hit when Rihanna filed a lawsuit against her father, accusing him of exploiting her brand name and posing as her manager to promote a talent development company called Fenty Entertainment. She alleged that Ronald attempted to profit from her fame without permission. The legal battle continued for nearly two years before Rihanna voluntarily dismissed the case just weeks before it was set to go to trial in 2021, according to BBC News.

Despite the turbulence, there were also moments of reconciliation. Rihanna publicly stated in a 2012 Oprah interview that she had made efforts to repair her relationship with her father, acknowledging the complexities of their bond.

A Quiet Goodbye

While neither Rihanna nor her representatives have released a public statement as of June 1, her presence at the hospital suggests she was involved in her father’s final days. The family appears to be mourning privately as they navigate the emotional impact of this loss.

Ronald Fenty’s passing marks the end of a chapter filled with both joy and hardship. As Rihanna continues to grow her own family, his complex legacy remains part of her journey.