Ariana Grande’s grandmother, Marjorie “Nonna” Grande, has died.
Ariana, 31, reposted mom Joan Grande’s tribute to the family matriarch via her Instagram Story on Tuesday, June 17, sharing a throwback photo of Nonna smiling as she looked off into the distance.
“We are devastated to share that the beloved matriarch of our family has passed away,” the statement read. “Marjorie (Nonna) Grande passed peacefully in her home and was surrounded by her family and loved ones for every moment of her last few weeks.”
The message continued, “We thank you for your love, support and for respecting our privacy as we grieve and celebrate her beautiful, extraordinary life.” The statement was signed, “Love, The Grandes.”
Nonna has been by Ariana’s side for several of her life’s greatest achievements and has made appearances on the singer’s discography. Nonna was featured on Ariana’s Eternal Sunshine album, lending her voice to the outro of the song “Ordinary Things.” In the track, Nonna reminisces about her late husband, Frank.
“And when he’d come home, and I’d see him / When he first gets off that train / It was like God almighty arrived / It was like seeing daylight,” Nonna says in the lyrics. “I mean, I could’ve packed up and left a million times, you know? / It’s not that we never fought, you can overcome that, you know? / It very easy, and as I told her.”
Before the hit comes to a close, Nonna gives listeners relationship advice. She says, “Never go to bed without kissin’ goodnight / That’s the worst thing to do, don’t ever, ever do that / And if you can’t, and if you don’t feel comfortable doing it / You’re in the wrong place, get out.”
In April 2024, Nonna became the oldest person to have ever appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“Celebrating the one and only, most beautiful Nonna who has now made history for being the senior most person to ever appear on the @billboard Hot100. We love and thank you,” Ariana captioned an Instagram photo of Nonna smiling while holding up the award.
Nonna also appeared on “Daydreamin’” from 2013’s Yours Truly and “Bloodline” from 2019’s Thank U, Next.
“She was very excited to be on the album and she was very moved by it,” Ariana said of her Nonna during a March 2024 appearance on The Zach Sang Show. “And she loved that she was there. And she told many stories about all the different times she’s been on my albums.”
