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Rihanna’s relationship with her father, Ronald Fenty, was often challenging, marked by various ups and downs over the years. Their connection was influenced by numerous personal and public experiences.
Ronald Fenty died in Los Angeles at 70 after a brief illness, as reported by People on May 31, 2025. Reports indicate that Rihanna and her brother Rajad were with him during his last days, highlighting that despite their complicated past, a familial bond remained.
Rihanna has openly discussed her relationship challenges with her father, including family struggles, public statements, and legal issues, but they've also shared moments of peace and efforts to rebuild trust.
What caused strain in Rihanna's relationship with Ronald Fenty?
Ronald Fenty struggled with substance abuse, which impacted the family. Her parents divorced when she was 14, coinciding with Rihanna's decision to focus on her music career.
She once shared that his behavior made family life difficult. His addiction to alcohol and drugs affected the family. Rihanna also mentioned that he was physically abusive toward her mother.
Rihanna’s rise to fame brought increased attention to her family. However, even as she became a global star, her relationship with her father remained complicated. Emotional distance and old wounds made it difficult to maintain a stable connection.
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How did public events make things worse?
In 2009, Rihanna was assaulted by her then-boyfriend Chris Brown. The incident received extensive media coverage. Ronald Fenty provided interviews to the press about it, without her consent.
Rihanna subsequently expressed that this situation was distressing. In a 2011 interview with Vogue,
she said, “You grow up with your father, you know him, you are a part of him, for goodness’ sakes! And then he does something so bizarre that I can’t begin to wrap my mind around it.”
She felt both betrayed and confused by his behavior. Rather than safeguarding her, he openly discussed something deeply personal. This widened the rift between them.
This was not an isolated occurrence. Throughout the years, Ronald occasionally attracted media attention by sharing information, which heightened the tension and distrust.
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Did they ever reconcile?
Despite the issues, there were moments when Rihanna and her father attempted to mend their relationship. In a 2012 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Rihanna stated that their bond had been “repaired.” She explained her desire to forgive and move forward.
In 2019, Rihanna filed a lawsuit against her father, accusing him of using her brand name, “Fenty,” to operate a company called Fenty Entertainment without her consent. She also claimed he acted as her manager without being one.
The legal case heightened the tension in their relationship. However, in 2021, Rihanna withdrew the lawsuit began was scheduled to begin. This choice might have alleviated some of the tension between them.
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Their story shows that family relationships are complex. Despite pain and betrayal, people can still care for each other. Rihanna’s presence at her father's last moments highlights the challenging yet significant ties that families share.
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