Robyn Rihanna Fenty, an award-winning Barbadian-American singer and entrepreneur, was designated Barbados’ national hero during the island’s republican festivities.
Rihanna was honored as part of the festivities commemorating Barbados’ transition to a republic.
Sandra Mason, the country’s president-elect, is due to take over as head of state after the government declared last year that it would cut relations with the monarchy.
Rihanna displays that she is more than a musician and business entrepreneur by performing acts of benevolence and charity to improve the standard of living of her people.
Rihanna was honoured as a National Hero in Bridgetown, Barbados, during the inauguration ceremony for president-elect Sandra Mason.
‘On behalf of a grateful nation, but an even prouder people, we, therefore, present to you, the designee, for a national hero of Barbados, Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty, may you continue to shine like a diamond,’ said the country’s prime minister, Mia Mottley.
“May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honour to your country through your works and actions,” Mottley finished.
Rihanna was born in Barbados in 1988 and nurtured in Bridgetown until she was discovered as a teenager by American record producer Evan Rogers and moved to the United States to pursue a career.
The singer was appointed as a Barbadian cultural ambassador in 2008.
In 2018, Rihanna was named Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for her native nation, a post that includes promoting education, tourism, and investment.
When the Barbados government announced plans last year to “fully leave” their “colonial past behind” by becoming a republic in 2021, fans joked that Rihanna should take over as head of state in place of Queen Elizabeth II.