Ronald Fenty, the father of global superstar Rihanna, has passed away at the age of 70 after a brief illness, according to credible reports.
Fenty died in Los Angeles surrounded by family. While the exact date and cause of death have not yet been publicly disclosed, his passing marks the end of a life full of complexities, triumphs, and turbulent family ties.
Here are 10 things you may not have known about Ronald Fenty, the man whose life helped shape one of the biggest pop icons of our time.
1. He Was Born and Raised in Barbados
Ronald Fenty lived most of his life in Barbados, where he raised his children, including Rihanna, in the capital city of Bridgetown. The neighborhood they once called home now bears Rihanna’s name — Rihanna Drive — in honor of her global impact and roots.
2. He Was the Patriarch of a Blended Family
Fenty had a total of six children — three with Rihanna’s mother, Monica Braithwaite (Rihanna, Rajad, and Rorrey), and three from previous relationships: daughters Samantha and Kandy, and son Jamie.
3. He and Rihanna’s Mother Divorced in 2002
Though they began raising their children together, Ronald Fenty and Monica Braithwaite officially ended their marriage in 2002. Rihanna was 14 at the time.
4. He Once Spoke to the Press About Rihanna Without Her Consent
Following Rihanna’s highly publicized assault by then-boyfriend Chris Brown in 2009, Fenty gave interviews to the media about the incident — something Rihanna later described as “really strange” and hurtful. She said she struggled to understand his actions, calling it “bizarre” in an interview with Vogue.
5. Their Relationship Was Complicated But Repaired
Despite the strain, Rihanna revealed in a 2012 interview with Oprah Winfrey that she had made peace with her father. Still, public tension would reemerge in later years.
6. Rihanna Once Sued Him for Misusing Her Name
In 2019, Rihanna filed a lawsuit against her father, accusing him of exploiting her name through a company called Fenty Entertainment. She alleged that he falsely posed as her manager to secure business deals. The lawsuit was dropped just before going to trial in 2021.
7. He Was Present During Her Rise to Fame
Fenty was there during Rihanna’s early career as she transitioned from a teenage singer in Barbados to an international sensation signed by Jay-Z. Their bond, though complex, included shared history and pride in her ascent.
8. He Battled Addiction
Rihanna has spoken in the past about her father’s struggles with addiction, which affected their family dynamic during her youth. In later interviews, she expressed understanding and compassion for what he had gone through.
9. He Inspired Part of Rihanna’s Identity and Brand
Rihanna’s globally recognized beauty and fashion empire Fenty borrows his surname. While the brand is 100% Rihanna’s vision, it reflects the complicated influence of her paternal lineage.
10. He Was Reportedly Surrounded by Family at the End
According to TMZ, Rihanna and her brother Rajad were seen arriving at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on May 28. The family has not yet released an official statement, but sources confirm they were by Fenty’s side in his final moments.
As Rihanna, who is currently pregnant with her third child, prepares to welcome new life into the world, she also navigates the grief of saying goodbye to a man whose presence — for better or worse — helped shape her own journey.
