Superstar Rihanna has splashed out $22million on a beachside home on the Caribbean island of Barbados – after renting the same property last year.
The 25-year-old singer has bought a home at the luxurious One Sandy Lane resort on the island where she was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 and raised.
Rihanna always returns to her native Barbados for Christmas and last year revealed she rented the same five-bed condo and planned on her mother Monica Braithwaite and younger brother Rajad joining her.
She ended up staying at another villa on the island – but still remained a fan of One Sandy Lane.
The star, said to be worth $90 million, purchased the 10,000-square-foot pad just down the beach from the famous, five-star Sandy Lane Hotel.
It had been on the market for $21.8 million.
‘Rihanna bought the house after renting it for her family last year’
There are only eight, 10,000 sq ft apartments within the opulent complex that is just a walk on to the beach, each featuring five en-suite bedrooms that boast their own private terraces and dressing rooms.
Rihanna already has links with Michael Tabor, the owner of the complex, after being paid $2million to perform at a party hosted by his son Ashley Tabor, the British boss of Global Radio.
Michael amassed a fortune from bookmaking, horsebreeding and property, and helped bankroll the $1billion double purchase of GCap Media and Chrysalis Radio that created Global’s broadcasting empire.
Sources said that Rihanna now plans to spend more time in Barbados. Last year, the singer surprised her mother with a five-bedroom home in Barbados earlier this year – but they will all stay together at Rihanna’s new home for the holidays.
Ocean views: The properties at One Sandy Lane oversee the Caribbean and come with 24-hour security
Luxurious: Rihanna and her family will stay at One Sandy Lane in Barbados
One Sandy Lane boasts that it is run like a boutique hotel. Even when nobody is staying there, a private staff of 34, including gardeners and security staff, keeps everything shipshape.
The security system works on biometrics, which mean residents can pass between different areas in the building without carrying anything as old-fashioned as a key, but non-residents will be instantly detected.
While private elevators and underground parking come as standard, perfect for Rihanna.
There are only eight, 10,000 sq ft apartments within the opulent One Sandy Lane x that is just a walk on to the beach, each featuring five en-suite bedrooms that boast their own private terraces and dressing rooms
It is all a far cry from Rihanna’s 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood on the island. In 2007, she was open about her upbringing – and made it clear that a chance meeting aged just 15 with producer Evan Rogers allowed her to fulfill her destiny.
The eldest of three 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, Rihanna and her brothers, Rorrey and Rajad, watched helplessly as their father, Ronald Fenty, spiralled into addiction.
She told the Mirorr that at his lowest, Ronald was reduced to scoring drugs on street corners and leaving drug paraphernalia around the house, adding: ‘Even as a toddler, I learned that my mum and dad would argue when there was foil paper in the ashtray.’
The situation was so dire the family barely had enough money to eat as Ronald desperately sought out his next fix.
During this time, the singer took care of her brothers while mum Monica – now divorced from her Ronald – worked round-the-clock in accountancy to keep the family.
Rihanna – real name Robyn Fenty – said at the time her father was now drug free, adding: ‘It’s fair to say I had a few humps and bumps along the way while growing up.
‘But I think every 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 growing up goes through some sort of upheaval and perhaps mine was a bit worse.
‘At the end of the day, I don’t think about it any more and it doesn’t make me angry.’
Rihanna now mixes with the cream of the music industry and titans of industry when she goes home.
In 2010, she was pictured frolicking with friends on the beach, and enjoyed lunch with Universal music chief, Lucian Grainge, as well as Topshop boss Sir Philip Green and Simon Cowell.
She then gave Oprah Winfrey a tour of the island during her interview in August 2012 and the TV star also stayed at One Sandy Lane.
A source told Page Six Rihanna has also recently toured Manhattan properties and plans on making the city her new home in November.
