Los Angeles: Ronald Fenty, the father of global music icon and business magnate Rihanna, has passed away at the age of 70 in Los Angeles after a brief illness. The exact date of his demise and the official cause of death have not been disclosed at this time.
Sources close to the family indicate that family members were by his side during his final days. Rihanna herself has yet to issue a public statement regarding her father’s passing, and her representatives have chosen to offer no comments on the matter.
Ronald Fenty shared three children with Rihanna’s mother, Monica Braithwaite: Rihanna, Rajad, and Rorrey. Their marriage concluded in divorce in 2002. Additionally, Mr. Fenty was also a father to three other children from prior relationships: Samantha, Kandy, and Jamie.
It was widely known that Rihanna’s relationship with her father was often complex and strained. A notable instance of this surfaced in 2009 when, following her assault by then-partner Chris Brown, Mr. Fenty gave interviews to the media without her explicit consent. Reflecting on this incident years later in an interview with Vogue, Rihanna described it as “really strange.” Despite attempts at reconciliation over the years, further friction emerged in 2019 when Rihanna initiated a lawsuit against him, alleging the unauthorised use of her name and brand. This legal action was subsequently dropped.
The news of Ronald Fenty’s death arrives as Rihanna is reportedly awaiting the arrival of her third child, adding a profound layer of personal sorrow during what is already a significant period in her life.
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