Rihanna Pregnancy Update: Forbes' Newest Billionaire Says She Appreciates Her Mother More

Rihanna has found a new appreciation for her mother, Monica Braithwaite, now that she's at the cusp of welcoming her first child with her boyfriend, A$AP Rocky.

In an Instagram tribute, the superstar singer posted a throwback photo of Braithwaite in a bridesmaid gown and herself as a little girl in celebration of her mother's birthday on Tuesday, April 5. Rihanna wrote in the caption that her pregnancy has "unlocked new levels of love and respect" for her mother.

The hitmaker credited her mom for being the "true MVP" of their family. Rihanna said that, if it were possible, she would love to honor Braithwaite with flowers every second.

Rihanna's Relationship with Monica Braithwaite

Rihanna was in her early teens when Braithwaite divorced her father, Ronald Fenty. She and her brothers, Rorrey and Rajad, lived with their mom because their dad was struggling with substance abuse, per Distractify.

After she turned 16 years old, the Grammy-winning singer moved to the U.S. from Barbados to pursue a singing career, but she was able to repair her relationship with Fenty. On the other hand, her mother continued to be the wind beneath her wings as Rihanna became a successful recording star around the globe.

Braithwaite has not publicly commented on her daughter's pregnancy, but since she has always been close to Rihanna, she's likely excited to become a grandmother. It's also not the first time Rihanna has publicly honored Braithwaite on her birthday. In 2019, Rihanna shared on her social media that her mother showed her that a woman's true beauty is all about "strength, love, forgiveness, sacrifice and hard work."

Rihanna Pregnancy Due Date

In late February 2022, Rihanna revealed that she was entering the last trimester of her pregnancy. Though she hasn't given the exact due date, speculations are that the pregnant singer could welcome her first baby in May.

A$AP Rocky gifted the mother of his child with a charm bracelet valued at over $50,000. The special bracelet had ten beautiful charms that represented something special in the couple's life.

Fans noticed that some of the charms have emeralds, the birthstone for those born in the month of May. This prompted speculations about the "Diamonds" singer's due date.

Rihanna Debuts on Forbes' Billionaires List

Meanwhile, as she begins a new chapter as a mother, Forbes has named Rihanna one of the newest billionaires to make it to their annual list. The singer's lucrative cosmetics and lingerie business, Fenty Beauty, has catapulted her to rank as the 1,729th of the wealthiest people in the world.

Fenty Beauty is Rihanna's joint venture with Louis Vuttion and has been cited as one of the fastest-growing cosmetics businesses in the past two years. Rihanna said that while it scares her to be placed on such a pedestal as a successful Black woman, she has worked hard to be where she is.