Rihanna’s Father Ronald Fenty Dies at 70 After Brief Illness
Ronald Fenty, the father of global superstar Rihanna, has died at the age of 70 following a brief illness, according to reports from Barbadian media outlet Starcom Network. The news was confirmed on May 31, 2025.
Fenty passed away in Los Angeles, where family members, including his children, were reportedly by his side. Rihanna’s brother, Rajad Fenty, was seen arriving at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on May 28, with Rihanna reportedly in the vehicle as well. The singer has not publicly commented.
Family and Early Life in Barbados
Born and raised in Barbados, Ronald Fenty shared three children with Monica Braithwaite — Rihanna, Rajad, and Rorrey. He also had three older children — Samantha, Kandy, and Jami — from previous relationships. Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty in February 1988, spent her early years in a Bridgetown bungalow on what is now known as Rihanna Drive.
A Complex Father-Daughter Relationship
Rihanna and her father had a publicly complicated relationship. Their bond was strained at times, including in 2009, when Fenty spoke to the press about her assault incident involving Chris Brown without her consent. Rihanna later told Vogue that the experience left her confused and disappointed.
Despite these challenges, she told Oprah in 2012 that they had “repaired” their relationship. However, tension resurfaced in 2019 when Rihanna sued Fenty for allegedly misusing her name to start a company called Fenty Entertainment. She accused him of posing as her manager. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2021, just weeks before trial.
Rihanna’s Life Today
The singer is currently pregnant with her third child with partner A$AP Rocky. The couple already shares two sons, RZA, 2, and Riot, 1. Despite her growing family and music empire, Rihanna has remained closely connected to her roots in Barbados and to select members of her family.
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