Global music superstar Rihanna is mourning the loss of her father, Ronald Fenty, who passed away at the age of 70 on May 31, 2025, in Los Angeles after a brief illness. The news has deeply affected fans around the world, who have expressed their condolences and support during this difficult time for the Fenty family.
Ronald Fenty spent his final days at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, surrounded by family, including Rihanna and her younger brother Rajad. His death marks the end of a complicated and multifaceted chapter in Rihanna’s life. Born in 1954 in Barbados, Ronald was a warehouse supervisor and the father of six children, including Rihanna (whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty), Rajad, and Rorrey from his marriage to Monica Braithwaite, which ended in divorce in 2002. He also had three other children from previous relationships.
Growing up in Bridgetown, Barbados, Rihanna’s childhood was influenced by Ronald’s encouragement of her musical talents. Despite their difficult relationship, he played a role in nurturing her early love for music. However, the family’s story is marked by hardship, including Ronald’s struggles with alcohol and crack cocaine addiction. His addiction contributed to turbulent family dynamics and incidents of domestic abuse during Rihanna’s childhood, which left a lasting impact on her.
Rihanna, now 37 years old and expecting her third child with partner A$AP Rocky, has openly discussed the complexities of her relationship with her father. She has described the pain caused by his actions and the confusion she felt growing up with him. In a 2011 interview, she spoke about how hard it was to process his behavior and the emotional toll it took on her.
One particularly painful moment in their history occurred in 2009 when Ronald spoke publicly without Rihanna’s permission after she was assaulted by her then-boyfriend, deepening the strain between them. Despite these challenges, the pair found moments of reconciliation over the years. Rihanna shared in a 2012 interview that they had repaired their relationship to some extent and acknowledged that, despite his flaws, Ronald had qualities of a good father.
Their relationship, however, was far from smooth. In 2019, Rihanna took legal action against Ronald, accusing him of misusing her name through a company called Fenty Entertainment and falsely representing himself as her manager to seek business opportunities. The lawsuit was later dropped in 2021, indicating some resolution between them.
In recent years, Ronald appeared genuinely happy about Rihanna’s growing family. He expressed excitement and joy over her pregnancies, hoping to be involved with his grandchildren and share in their lives. This hopeful note added another layer to an already complex father-daughter relationship.
The public reaction to Ronald’s passing has been mixed, reflecting the duality of his legacy. Many sympathize with Rihanna and her family, offering heartfelt condolences. Others acknowledge Ronald’s troubled past but maintain that it is possible to grieve someone’s death while still feeling pain or anger over their actions. This nuanced response highlights the complicated nature of familial relationships and forgiveness.
Ronald Fenty’s passing closes a chapter marked by both love and struggle—a story woven with hardship, reconciliation, and the enduring ties of family. As Rihanna navigates her grief, fans continue to rally behind her, sending strength and support during this profound moment of loss.
