Ronald Fenty, the father of pop and R&B superstar Rihanna, has reportedly died at the age of 70, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to TMZ on Saturday (May 31).

Fenty was reported to have been hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles due to an illness prior to his death, however, a cause has not yet been confirmed. On Wednesday (May 28), Rihanna's brother, Rajad, was photographed in a car arriving at the hospital and the singer was also reported to be in the vehicle, though not visible in the photo.

Rihanna, 37, and Ronald had an estranged relationship for an extended period of time before eventually reconciling, with her father previously telling TMZ that he was excited about his daughter and rapper A$AP Rocky expecting their second of three children together in February 2023 following her Super Bowl Halftime Show pregnancy reveal. Ronald and his ex-wife Monica Braithwaite shared Rihanna, Rajad and another son, Rorrey, before splitting up in 2002.

Rihanna has consistently been one of music's biggest names since the 2000s, having made her American debut with the single 'Pon de Replay' in 2005, which was eventually followed by the iconic singles 'SOS' in 2006 and 'Umbrella (with Jay-Z)' in 2007.

Mel Taylor