Last updated on: July 25, 2025
Robert Maraj was the father of renowned rapper Nicki Minaj. He was born on May 16, 1956, in Trinidad and Tobago. His origins were mixed—his mother was Afro-Trinidadian while his father was Indo-Trinidadian. Individuals with such a mix are referred to as Dougla in Trinidad.
Robert relocated to the United States with his wife, Carol Maraj, to pursue a new life. They resided in Queens, New York. That is where Nicki grew up.
Quick Facts About Robert Maraj
| Full Name | Robert Maraj |
| Birthdate | May 16, 1956 |
| Occupation | Financial Executive and Gospel Singer |
| Husband/Wife | Carol Maraj |
| Died | 13 February 2021 |
| Age (at Death) | 64 years old |
| Parents | Not known |
| Grandchildren | Papa Bear |
| Children | Nicki Minaj, Ming Luanli (Daughters), Jelani Maraj, Micaiah Maraj (Sons) |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
His Life and Career
Robert was a financial executive. He was also a music enthusiast. He would sing at church at times as a gospel singer. He enjoyed music and brought enthusiasm into the house.
Nicki described her father as being fun and lively at times. She remembered him making the house lively. But things were not always joyful at home.
Struggles With Addiction
Robert struggled with alcohol and drugs. He smoked crack cocaine for decades. The addiction disrupted the family. Nicki has talked about it openly.
She said that her dad was occasionally violent when he got drunk. One time, he even tried to burn their house down while her mother was still there. Fortunately, her mother managed to escape.
These incidents left indelible marks on Nicki. She was often scared as a child. It was not simple living with them.
Family Life
Robert was wedded to Carol Maraj. They had a few children together:
Nicki Minaj (Onika Tanya Maraj)
Jelani Maraj (son)
Micaiah Maraj (son)
Ming Luanli (younger half-sister of Nicki)
Robert became a grandfather later. Nicki gave birth to a baby boy in 2020. She nicknames him Papa Bear.
Making Peace
Although times were difficult in the past, Robert improved later in life. He became sober and clean. He also became more active in church and tried to be a better person.
Nicki and Robert became closer once again. They communicated more and spent more time together. In fact, Nicki had spoken to her father only hours before he passed away. He was to fly out and see her in California to meet her son.
Nicki told that she misses those phone calls now. She said that she wished to call him all the time even now.
READ ALSO: Nicki Minaj Net worth, Age, Husband, Family, Facts & More
His Death
On February 12, 2021, Robert was walking down the street in Mineola, New York. A vehicle struck him and sped away. He was rushed to the hospital but died the following day. He was 64 years old.
The man who hit him, Charles Polevich, was later caught. He went to jail for one year. He was also fined and lost his driver’s license.
Nicki’s mother, Carol, filed a lawsuit against the driver. The whole family was deeply hurt by the loss.
A Song for Her Dad
Robert’s death was the inspiration behind Nicki’s music. She released an album in Pink Friday 2, where she composed a song titled “Are You Gone Already.” It is about her father and how much she misses him. It also reflects on her pain at that moment—she had recently given birth.
