Ariana Grande’s grandmother, Marjorie “Nonna” Grande, has died at the age of 99. Marjorie became a fan favorite after attending events with Ariana, and she participated in interviews, was featured in her music, and had viral moments over the years.
The family confirmed the news on June 17 in a heartfelt statement shared to Instagram. “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,” they wrote alongside a photo of her, which Ariana reposted on her Story. “We thank you for your love, support, and respecting our privacy as we grieve and celebrate her beautiful, extraordinary life.”
Ariana later shared a black and white photo of Marjorie on her wedding day with Frank Grande, who passed away on July 22, 2014. “Forever,” the “7 Rings” singer captioned the post.
Nonna always believed Ariana could be a star. She told Today in 2014 that she had her audition for the role of Annie in Florida. “I said, you know, Ariana could do that,” she said. “She became the star. She auditioned, and she became Annie.”
© GettyThe badass went viral for getting her first tattoo with Ariana when she was 93 in 2018. She chose to get “Ciccio” on her ring finger, which was her late husband’s nickname. Ariana documented it on her IG Story, and she was unfazed by the pain. “I feel fine,” Nonna told Ariana, “I’ve had a little more excitement than this.” “You don’t know what pain is,” she said later in the clip.
© @arianagrandeShe also became the oldest person to ever chart on the Billboard Hot 100 thanks to her audio note at the end of Eternal Sunshine. “Ordinary Things,” closes the album with life advice from the wise grandma who was talking to a friend: “And as I told her, 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.”
© Kevin Mazur/AMA2016It’s the kind of wisdom Ariana said she always recorded “just in case,” because you never know what Nonna might say. Nonna can also be heard on “Daydreamin’,” and “Bloodline” from Thank U, Next.
She also inspired Ariana’s artistic choices. The singer told Entertainment Tonight she was inspired by Nonna’s silver hair when filming her “Focus” video. “I actually was sitting opposite my Nonna, and I was like, ‘Nonna, I love your white hair. It’s so beautiful,'” she told ET in 2015.
© Kevin MazurNonna got to watch her grandmother skyrocket into one of the most famous women on the planet and was there to celebrate along the way. Recently, Ariana celebrated one of her biggest career moments with her Nona. “Flew to boca for a day to watch with Nonna at the movie theater I grew up going to every weekend, Cinemark 20 in Boca,” Ariana wrote in the caption of an IG story post in November 2024.
© GettyRest in peace.
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