Ronald Fenty is famously known as Rihanna’s father, a world-popular singer. Although he does not feature much in the limelight, Ronald has played a significant part in the life of his daughter Rihanna. In this article, you will get to learn more about who he is, his background, his life with Rihanna, and some of the struggles they have experienced.
Quick Facts About Ronald Fenty
| Full Name | Ronald Fenty |
| Birthdate | August 16, 1954 |
| Occupation | Warehouse supervisor, street clothes seller, chef (in Canada) |
| Husband/Wife | Ex-wife: Monica Braithwaite |
| Education | N/A |
| Age | 70 years and 10 months old |
| Parents | Not known |
| Grandchildren | RZA, Riot, Crystal Fenty, Brandy Fenty |
| Children | Rihanna, Rorrey Fenty, Rajad Fenty, Samantha Fenty, Kandy Fenty, Jamie Fenty |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
Early Life and Background
Ronald Fenty was born on August 16, 1954. Ronald grew up in Barbados, which is a tiny island nation in the Caribbean. Ronald is of mixed ancestry. His ancestry is a mix of African, Irish, English, and Scottish.
Ronald had lots of different jobs before Rihanna became famous. He sold clothing on the street. He was also a warehouse supervisor. He even used to work as a chef in Canada.
Ronald was married to Monica Braithwaite in 1980. Monica was an Afro-Guyanese accountant. They had three children together, namely, Rihanna, Rorrey, and Rajad. Ronald also has three other children from his previous relationships: Samantha, Kandy, and Jamie.
Family Life and Challenges
Ronald and Monica’s marriage had its problems. By the time Rihanna was 14 years old, her parents divorced in 2002. One big reason was Ronald’s struggle with alcoholism and substance abuse. He also battled crack cocaine addiction. These problems made family life difficult. Rihanna has talked about the tough times she faced growing up. She saw domestic violence in the home, which affected her deeply.
Despite the above issues, Monica and Ronald maintained a cordial relationship after divorce. Ronald has attempted to maintain his relationship with his children, even during difficult moments.
Relationship with Rihanna
Rihanna’s relationship with her dad has been strained. She has indicated that childhood was difficult due to his addiction and the abuse she saw. However, Rihanna has over time tried to heal their relationship. She has stated that Ronald was a person who taught her a lot of things.
Rihanna wishes to end the pattern of hurt and suffering for her own children. She wishes to bring them up differently from the way she herself was brought up. Despite her father’s shortcomings, she appreciates the part he has played in her life.
Rihanna also expressed her affection by purchasing a new home for Ronald in Barbados in 2016. His previous home had turned into an attraction for tourists, so he needed a new beginning. Rihanna assisted him in 2020 when he became critically ill due to COVID-19 and sent him a ventilator. These gestures indicate that they care for one another even today.
Legal Disputes
In 2019, Ronald and Rihanna engaged in a court battle. Ronald launched a company by the name “Fenty Entertainment” in 2017. Rihanna stated that the company employed her brand and name without authorizing her to do so. She brought a lawsuit against Ronald for attempting to earn money by posing as her manager.
The lawsuit created some stress, but it was over in 2021 when Rihanna withdrew the case. They settled privately outside of court. They avoided further conflict and moved on.
Recent Life and Support
Ronald has remained fairly private. He does not appear publicly or in the media very often. He does, though, attend some family functions with Rihanna. They appear to have a supportive relationship these days.
Rihanna revealed in 2023 that she was pregnant with her second child during the Super Bowl. Ronald was delighted and shocked to hear the news. Rihanna’s boyfriend is rapper A$AP Rocky. Rihanna also has two sons, RZA and Riot.
READ ALSO: Rihanna Net worth, Age, Husband, Family, Facts & More
Summary
Ronald Fenty is a man with a complicated history. He has struggled with addiction and issues within his family. Still, he has been a father to Rihanna and her siblings. Their relationship has not been smooth, but love and forgiveness have been a major factor.
Rihanna admires her father for the good he has done and does not want to perpetuate bad cycles to the next generation. Ronald’s narrative reminds us that families are not ideal. But through effort and care, individuals can work through their issues.
