Ronald Fenty, the father of global music icon Rihanna, has died at the age of 70 following a brief illness. According to sources close to the family, Fenty passed away in Los Angeles, where he had reportedly been receiving medical care in recent weeks. Details surrounding the cause of death have not been made public, and the Fenty family has requested privacy during this time.
Ronald Fenty was known not only for being the father of one of the most successful pop stars in the world but also for his occasionally rocky and public relationship with his daughter. Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, often spoke candidly about her father’s struggles with addiction and his troubled marriage to her mother, Monica Braithwaite.
Despite their difficulties, Rihanna always acknowledged the influence her father had on her life. In a 2012 interview with Oprah Winfrey, she said, “He taught me everything, and as awful as he was to my mom at times, it didn’t compare to how great he was as a father.”
The father-daughter relationship faced legal strain in 2019 when Rihanna filed a lawsuit against Ronald Fenty, accusing him of exploiting her brand name through a talent development company, Fenty Entertainment. The lawsuit alleged he booked performances on her behalf without her consent. However, the suit was quietly dropped in 2021, suggesting the two may have reconciled.
Family Gathering in Final Days
Multiple reports indicate that Rihanna and her younger brother, Rajad Fenty, were present at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center during their father’s final days. A source close to the family stated, “There were difficult moments between them over the years, but there was love. She was there when it mattered.”
Rihanna, who is currently expecting her third child with longtime partner A$AP Rocky, has not yet issued a public statement. The couple shares two young sons, RZA and Riot. A$AP Rocky reportedly flew to Los Angeles to support her as news of Ronald’s condition worsened.
In a past interview, Ronald Fenty had praised his daughter’s parenting, saying, “She’s very protective, very nurturing. I see a lot of her mother in her when she’s with those boys.”
Funeral arrangements have not been officially announced, and the Fenty family has requested that fans and media respect their privacy.
Ronald Fenty is survived by his six children, including Rihanna. He will be remembered for the complexity of his life, his love for his children, and his roots in the Caribbean island of Barbados.