The music world knows her as a global icon. A powerhouse performer, business mogul, and trendsetter who built an empire with her voice, vision, and fearlessness. But beyond the lights, cameras, and roaring fans, she’s also a daughter — and this week, that part of her identity took center stage.

Sources close to the family have quietly confirmed a personal loss that has shaken her inner circle. Though no official statement has yet been made by the superstar herself, those closest to her have flown in to be by her side, surrounding her with privacy and support during an especially delicate moment.

Reports began surfacing from her home country’s media late Thursday, followed by whispers in Los Angeles, where the news first broke. The details point to a deeply emotional chapter — one that takes us not to the red carpet, but behind it.

It has since been confirmed that Ronald Fenty, father of international sensation Rihanna, has passed away at the age of 70 following an illness.

Ronald has battled addiction to crack cocaine in the past and has long been a heavy drinker.

Rihanna told Oprah that as a child she witnessed her father physically abuse her mother, once breaking her nose.

Then in 2008 Ronald was sent home from her North American tour following his drunken behavior on her tour bus.

Ronald has said that Rihanna then froze him out for two years before they reconciled.

In 2013 the singer quietly put Ronald through a $58,000 Malibu rehab program to save him from jail after he was arrested during a visit to California.

But in in 2014 Ronald was thrown out of her Diamond Ball after embarrassing his daughter by getting drunk and falling over on the red carpet.

He left California without seeing his daughter on that trip, although the two later reconciled once more.