Who is singer, entrepreneur and actor Rihanna?
Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados, is a Barbadian singer, entrepreneur and actor. Performing under the name Rihanna, she became one of the best-selling music artists of her generation, known for pop, R&B, dancehall and reggae-influenced music. Her achievements include nine Grammy Awards, numerous Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, and the creation of major beauty and lingerie businesses including Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty.
Background/biography
Rihanna grew up in Bridgetown, Barbados, the daughter of Monica Braithwaite, an accountant, and Ronald Fenty, who worked in warehouse supervision. She attended Combermere School, where she took part in music and formed a girl group with classmates.
Her early career began after American music producer Evan Rogers visited Barbados and heard her perform. Rihanna recorded demo material with Rogers and traveled to the United States, where she auditioned for Def Jam Recordings. She signed with the label in 2005 and released her debut single, “Pon de Replay,” later that year.
Music, screen and business career
- Music of the Sun (2005), her debut studio album, featuring “Pon de Replay.”
- A Girl Like Me (2006), featuring the hit single “SOS.”
- Good Girl Gone Bad (2007), featuring “Umbrella,” “Don’t Stop the Music” and “Disturbia.”
- Loud (2010), featuring “Only Girl (In the World),” “What’s My Name?” and “S&M.”
- ANTI (2016), featuring “Work,” “Needed Me,” “Love on the Brain” and “Kiss It Better.”
- Film roles in Battleship (2012), Home (2015), Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017), and Ocean’s 8 (2018).
- Fenty Beauty, launched in 2017 with a broad range of foundation shades.
- Savage X Fenty, a lingerie brand launched in 2018.
Rihanna’s 2007 single “Umbrella,” featuring Jay-Z, marked a major international breakthrough and helped establish her as a global pop star. Over the following years, she recorded chart-leading singles as both a lead artist and collaborator, including “Rude Boy,” “We Found Love,” “Diamonds” and “Work.”
Alongside music, Rihanna expanded into acting and business. Fenty Beauty drew attention for emphasizing shade inclusivity in its initial product range, while Savage X Fenty became known for fashion presentations featuring models with varied body types and backgrounds. In 2019, she also launched the Fenty fashion house with LVMH; the ready-to-wear operation was later paused.
From Barbados to national hero
Rihanna has remained closely associated with Barbados throughout her international career. In 2018, the country appointed her as an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, with responsibilities connected to education, tourism and investment promotion. In 2021, Barbados named her a National Hero during the ceremony in which the country became a republic.
In 2023, Rihanna headlined the Super Bowl LVII halftime show in Arizona. The performance was widely discussed because she revealed that she was expecting her second child during the set.
Net worth
Forbes has estimated Rihanna’s net worth at around $1.4 billion in recent years, though such valuations can change with business performance and private-company estimates. Her wealth has been reported to come primarily from her stake in Fenty Beauty, as well as Savage X Fenty, music recordings and publishing, touring, acting work, endorsements and other commercial partnerships.
Did you know?
- Rihanna’s first name, Robyn, is her legal first name; “Rihanna” is her middle name.
- She became the first Barbadian to receive a Grammy Award when she won for “Umbrella” in 2008.
- Her cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty launched with 40 foundation shades in 2017, an approach widely noted within the beauty industry.
- She was named an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for Barbados in 2018.
- Rihanna performed at the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show, her first major live performance in several years.
