Rihanna has been a major advocate for those suffering from Coronavirus and recently turned to help out her own father, who was reportedly diagnosed with the disease.
“My daughter Robyn was checking in on me every day,” Rihanna’s 66-year-old father Ronald, who resides in Barbados, told The Sun. “I thought I was going to die to be honest. I have to say, I love you so much, Robyn. She did so much for me. I appreciate everything she has done.”
Through her Clara Lionel Foundation, the ANTI singer donated $5 million to organizations aimed at providing Coronavirus relief in the Caribbean and Africa. Furthermore, she purchased $700,000 worth of ventilators for those suffering from COVID-19 in Barbados, also sending one to her father after she learned of his diagnosis.
“I got a fever up inside of my nose. I had a fever across my lips. It was just a lot of fever,” Ronald told the outlet about his symptoms. “I feared the worst. I thought I was going to die, honestly.”
Thankfully, after spending two weeks in an isolation center, Ronald is now virus-free. Speaking with The Sun, he urged others to take COVID-19 seriously and continue social distancing efforts.
“I want everybody to stay home. This is a serious situation,” he continued. “More serious than people realize. Please stay home.”
Ronald marks one of the over 50 people who have been diagnosed with Coronavirus in Barbados. Three people in the country have reportedly died from the illness.
Beyond her Caribbean relief efforts, Rihanna has also sent funds and supplies to communities in need in the US. Last month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo thanked the singer for donating exposure-minimizing gear and personal protective equipment to New York, which has suffered more Coronavirus cases than any other state.
Teaming up with JAY-Z, RiRi also donated another $1 million to COVID-19 relief effort organizations like the Mayor’s Fund for L.A., Fund for Public Schools, American Civil Liberties Union and the New York Immigration Coalition. Her and JAY’s combined $2 million donation will reportedly go toward daycare services and resources for first responders’ children, school materials for children in homeless shelters, meal deliveries for homeless and elderly populations, financial support for undocumented workers, Coronavirus testing in New York and preparedness efforts in prisons.