Rihanna’s dad Ronald Fenty’s cause of death revealed as singer struggles with grief amid third pregnancy

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The cause of death of Rihanna's father Ronald Fenty has been revealed.

Fenty died on May 20; however, at that time, the cause of death and the exact date were not disclosed by officials.

Rihanna's father Ronald Fenty was dealing with health issues before death

The death certificate, as reported by TMZ, lists Fenty’s cause of death as acute respiratory failure, pancreatic cancer, and aspiration pneumonia.

The other contributing conditions included acute renal failure and acute tubular necrosis which involved extensive kidney damage.

Despite a complex relationship, Rihanna is reportedly having a hard time coping with the sudden death of her father. According to the Daily Mail, the singer, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, had been overwhelmed even before his death.

“Robyn has had a very difficult relationship with her father over the years but his death has hit her like a ton of bricks,” sources told the outlet.

“Being pregnant and dealing with ASAP's legal woes have been an emotional roller coaster for her the last few months, and to add to it all, her dad was getting sick, and it started to become too much,” the insider said.

They added, “As much as you realize that something like this is occurring, it is still completely heartbreaking and that is where she is right now.”

The source shared that Rihanna “has forgiven her father and, in death, they got back to a loving father and daughter relationship.”

“But, she is in pain, especially being a mother herself and there being a chance that her kids would have lost their dad to jail a few months back, she feels how important family is,” the insider explained.

“This is going to take a long time, and maybe even forever to get over. Sad time in her world right now,” they added.

Ronald Fenty once disappointed Rihanna after Chris Brown assault

Rihanna’s relationship with dad Fenty hit a public low back in 2009. At the time, she criticized her father for giving paid interviews following her assault by then-boyfriend Chris Brown.

“He kind of did something that was really upsetting. He turned his back on me and went to the media,” Rihanna had said.

“He got paid to talk about stuff—all these little interviews he was doing after the whole situation in February. I hadn't spoken to him and he was speaking as though we did. It was so disappointing to me,” she added.

In 2019, the singer filed a lawsuit against her father for allegedly using their last name for his company, Fenty Entertainment.

She accused him and his partner of falsely presenting themselves as her agents. The suit was withdrawn in 2021, with reports suggesting a private settlement.

Despite their complex relationship, Rihanna helped Ronald by providing him with a house, supporting him during the Covid-19 pandemic, and even helping him through rehabilitation for his addiction issues.

In essence, she and her father maintained a positive relationship despite significant disappointments.

Ronald Fenty was 'estatic' to learn about Rihanna's first pregnancy

In 2022, Ronald told Page Six he was “ecstatic” to learn his daughter was expecting her first child with A$AP Rocky.

“I’m so happy that I jumped for joy. I’m still so excited,” he said. “Rihanna always said that she wanted children, she loves kids. She always takes care of her cousins’ kids…she’s going to be a good mom,” he continued.

Speaking about A$AP Rocky, he added, “I like him,” recalling that he met the rapper when Rihanna brought him home in December 2020.

“I just got the news from her last night, and she sent me some photos,” he said. “I’m just over the moon. She’s beautiful inside and out.”

Rihanna is one of three children Ronald Fenty shared with his ex-wife Monica Braithwaite.

The two divorced in 2002. Along with Rihanna, they have two sons—Rajad and Rorrey. Ronald also fathered three other children — Kandy, Samantha, and Jamie — from previous relationships.