Rihanna's Early Relationships Before Fame
Rihanna's first widely reported relationship was with Jamaican footballer Sheldon Bateau in 2006, shortly after she signed with Def Jam Recordings. She later dated Barbadian singer Shontelle in 2007, a connection that remained private until mutual friends confirmed it. Both relationships occurred while she was building her debut album Music of the Sun and establishing her early brand identity in the Caribbean music market Forbes career timeline.
Her next high-profile relationship began in 2007 with singer Chris Brown, which became a defining chapter in her personal life. Their on-again, off-again dynamic lasted until 2009, when Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault following a widely publicized incident. The relationship generated extensive media coverage and influenced public perception of her private life for years Billboard timeline.
Rihanna's Major Relationships and Engagements
After her split from Chris Brown, Rihanna dated Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel from 2010 to 2014. The relationship was notable because Jameel was the Saudi distributor for Toyota in the Middle East and a member of a prominent business family. She later dated American rapper Matt Kemp in 2015 and then Hassan Jameel again briefly in 2016 before entering a long-term partnership with Hassan Jameel's close associate, Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel Forbes relationships.
Rihanna began dating American rapper ASAP Rocky in 2020, and the couple became engaged in 2022. Their relationship marked a shift toward greater privacy, with both partners focusing on their respective businesses, including Rihanna's Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty brands. The engagement was confirmed by multiple outlets, and the couple welcomed their first child together in 2023 SEC filings for Fenty parent company.
Rihanna's Business Empire and Relationship Timeline
Rihanna's net worth reached an estimated $1.4 billion by 2023, largely driven by her cosmetics company Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty lingerie line. Her relationship history often overlapped with key milestones in her business ventures, including the 2017 launch of Fenty Beauty, which disrupted the cosmetics industry with its inclusive shade range. The financial success of these brands has made her one of the wealthiest female musicians in the world Forbes business breakdown.
Throughout her career, Rihanna has maintained a pattern of keeping her romantic relationships relatively private until they become public knowledge through social media or official confirmations. Her dating history includes athletes, musicians, and business figures from multiple countries, reflecting her global influence. Each relationship has coincided with different phases of her career, from her early music releases to her expansion into fashion and beauty Bloomberg profile.