Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley posted on Instagram on Saturday that Rihanna’s father Ronald Fenty passed away, praising him as a “son of Barbadian soil, whose life story reflected the resilience and spirt of our nation.”

Fenty, 70, died in Los Angeles after battling an illness, according to TMZ. The outlet reported that Rihanna’s brother, Rajad Fenty, was seen going into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Wednesday, and Rihanna may have been with him.

 

Mottley made the announcement on Instagram, praising Fenty’s role in raising Rihanna, whom he described as a “beloved national hero,” and extended condolences to her and her family.

“While he may be known for playing a significant role in shaping the woman our National Hero Rihanna has become, the truth is that his journey here on earth has touched many more lives,” Mottley wrote.

“Ronald was a father, a friend, a neighbour, and a proud Barbadian. Indeed, his path, like so many in our community, was not without struggle, but it was also one marked by love, growth, and a deep connection to the people and place that shaped him,” the prime minister continued.

Rihanna father Ronald Fenty Barbados Ronald Fenty attends the Wayke Up fundraiser at Sofitel Hotel on December 14, 2014 in West Hollywood, California. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
“To Rihanna, her mother Monica, her brothers Rorrey, Rajad and Jamie, sisters Kandy and Samantha, and all members of the Fenty family, I offer my deepest sympathies. I equally extend my condolences to Ronald’s friends and loved ones, both here in Barbados and abroad,” he added.

“In this time of mourning, we stand united with the Fenty family, offering our prayers and support. May his spirit rest in eternal peace, and may all who loved him find comfort in that love and the memories they were blessed to have shared.”

Rihanna and her father at times were not close, and she even sued him in 2019 when she accused him of attempting to make a profit off her trademarked name “Fenty,” as part of her brand Fenty Beauty. She ultimately filed to have the suit dismissed in September, 2021, according to US Weekly.

Despite their turbulent past, however, Fenty and his daughter remained in contact and stayed in each other’s lives.

Fenty had three children with his ex-wife Monica Braithwaite: Rihanna, Rajad and Rorrey. The couple split in 2002.

Update 5/31/25, 10:56 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and context.