At the recent premiere of The Smurfs Movie, Rihanna opened up about the passing of her father, Ronald Fenty, and how his legacy continues to shape her approach to raising her children with partner A$AP Rocky.
Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, the global music star and entrepreneur reflected on the kind of grandfather Fenty would have been, and how his adventurous spirit has inspired her parenting philosophy.
“I’ve always wanted that and I’ve always dreamed about what type of grandfather he would be to them because of the favorite parts of my dad,” Rihanna shared. “I think it prepared me for having two boys. The adventurous side of me, the outside side of me, the daredevil. It’s how I want to raise them. I want them to be outside and be in nature. No tablet babies.”
When asked if her own childhood experiences inspired that parenting outlook, Rihanna replied:
“Oh, for sure. That was the funnest part of my life, running around outside, barefoot, free. You don’t get to do that anymore.”
Ronald Fenty’s Passing
Ronald Fenty passed away at 71 years old on May 30th at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His death certificate, obtained by TMZ, listed acute respiratory failure, pancreatic cancer, and aspiration pneumonia as the primary causes of death. He also reportedly suffered from acute renal failure and acute tubular necrosis.
Growing Family and New Chapter
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are currently expecting their third child. The Anti singer revealed her pregnancy at the 2025 Met Gala, showcasing her baby bump on the red carpet.
With her father’s memory close to heart, Rihanna appears more determined than ever to raise her children with a deep connection to the outdoors and a sense of freedom — values she holds dear from her own upbringing.
