Rihanna's dad Ronald Fenty dies aged 70 after 'battling short illness'

Pop icon is mourning the loss of her father, Ronald Fenty, who has passed away at 70, it has been reported. TMZ broke the news that Ronald succumbed to his illness while in .

Back in Barbados, where Rihanna hails from, reports have surfaced via Starcom Network News, confirming that relatives are gathering in California to pay tribute. On the eve of his passing, it's understood that Rihanna's sibling Rajad Fenty visited Ronald at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Unconfirmed reports by TMZ suggest that Rihanna may have been present too, although she wasn't spotted.

Rihanna's bumpy journey with her father was marred by his addiction issues, yet they had seemingly made peace. Reflecting on their tumultuous bond, Rihanna disclosed to Vogue in 2011 how complicated their relationship was, as quoted by Billboard.

In her words: "That's the only word I can think of to describe it, because you grow up with your father, you know him, you are a part of him, for goodness' sakes!".

Her reflection didn't end there as she added: "And then he does something so bizarre that I can't begin to wrap my mind around it. You hear the horror stories about people going behind people's backs and doing strange things, but you always think, Not my family. My father would never do that to me."

The sensational Pon De Replay songstress is currently expecting her third baby with beau and hip-hop sensation A$AP Rocky. Her dad, Ronald, expressed his enthusiasm back in February 2023 to TMZ.

At the time, he said that he couldn't wait to be a grandad again to another baby from his superstar daughter and the renowned rapper, keen to be involved in the newest addition's upbringing.

Ronald has three children of his own with former spouse Monica Braithwaite - the illustrious Rihanna, alongside Rajad and Rorrey. However, the pair parted ways in 2002, coinciding with the start of Rihanna's meteoric rise to fame.