Early Life
Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados. Rihanna's childhood was affected by her father's alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction. She attended Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School and Combermere School. Rihanna's health began to improve after her parents divorced when she was 14.
Rise to Success
In 2003, Rihanna formed a music trio with two classmates. Rihanna's demo was sent to rapper Jay-Z, who was the president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings. After Rihanna signed with Def Jam, Jay-Z and his team spent three months completing her debut studio album. Her debut studio album, Music of the Sun, was released on August 29, 2005.
Key Business Strategies
Rihanna's financial success stems from her business ventures, particularly Fenty Beauty, a partnership with LVMH. The brand launched in 2017 and has been a major contributor to her net worth. She also owns a stake in the lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty. Rihanna's partnerships with Puma and Dior further expanded her business portfolio.
Philanthropy
In 2006, Rihanna founded the Believe Foundation to help terminally ill children. In 2012, she launched the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) to support education, health, and emergency response in vulnerable communities. The foundation's work includes climate resilience programs and providing scholarships.