Pop singer Rihanna Fenty’s father, Ronald Fenty, died this week following a brief illness, according to a radio station based in his native Barbados.
Fenty died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. The date of his death was not disclosed.
Rihanna and her younger brother, Rajad Fenty, were seen arriving at Cedars-Sinai on Wednesday, May 28.
Rihanna’s fans expressed their condolences and support for the pop star on social media on Saturday.
One X user wrote: “Rihanna’s father, Ronald Fenty, passed away. Sending love and prayers to Rihanna and her family.”
Rihanna – who is expecting her third child with rapper A$AP Rocky – had a strained relationship with her father over the years. Fenty cheated on Rihanna’s mother, Monica Braithwaite (2nd from right). He was also described as “violent” to members of his family.
Then, in 2009, after singer Chris Brown assaulted Rihanna, her father spoke publicly about the situation without discussing it with her first.
“You grow up with your father, you know him, you are a part of him, for goodness’ sakes!” Rihanna said at the time. “And then he does something so bizarre that I can’t begin to wrap my mind around it.”
Father and daughter had set aside their differences and had grown closer. In a 2012 interview with Oprah, Rihanna said she had repaired her relationship with her father.
Fenty shared three children – Rihanna, Rajad and Rorrey – with his ex-wife, Monica Braithwaite. The couple divorced in 2002. He also had three children, Samantha, Kandy, and Jamie, from previous relationships.
