Ariana Grande is grappling with the profound sorrow of losing one of her dearest family members. The heartfelt vocalist behind "Eternal Sunshine" has suffered the loss of her maternal grandmother, Marjorie "Nonna" Grande, who peacefully passed away in her Florida residence, as confirmed by Ariana's mother, Joan Grande, through social media channels. Marjorie, affectionately known as Nonna, was 99 years old.
"It is with shattered hearts that we share the news of our beloved family matriarch's passing," read the poignant statement, which Ariana reposted on her Instagram Story on June 17th. "Marjorie (Nonna) Grande breathed her last in the comfort of her home, embraced by her family and cherished ones throughout the final weeks of her life." The statement, issued on behalf of the family that also includes Ariana's 42-year-old brother, Frankie Grande, concluded with heartfelt gratitude: "We are deeply thankful for your love, support, and respect for our privacy as we navigate through this period of mourning while celebrating her extraordinary and beautiful life."
Throughout her luminous career, Ariana has often spoken with warmth and admiration about her unbreakable bond with her grandmother, whom even her fans affectionately refer to by her Italian nickname, "Nonna." More recently, she expressed immense joy at being able to take her grandmother to watch 'Wicked' in their hometown of Boca Raton, Florida. During an appearance on 'The Drew Barrymore Show' in December, Ariana emotionally recounted, "It was surreal to sit beside her in the movie theater where I spent my childhood years. Holding her hand... oh, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it."
Beyond being Ariana's biggest cheerleader in her acting endeavors, her Nonna was also her steadfast supporter in her musical journey, quite literally being featured on several of the Grammy Award-winner's tracks. These include "Bloodline" from 'Thank U, Next' and "Ordinary Things" from 'Eternal Sunshine,' which marked a historic milestone by earning the 99-year-old a spot on the Billboard Hot 100. In an April 2024 Instagram post celebrating this remarkable achievement, Ariana effused, "Celebrating the one and only, the most beautiful Nonna, who has made history as the oldest person ever to appear on the @billboard Hot 100. We cherish you and are eternally grateful."
From Ariana's very first stage performance as the lead in 'Annie' at a local theater in 2002, her Nonna has been her steadfast admirer. Recalling those early days in an interview with 'Today' in 2014, Nonna shared, "I knew, Ariana had it in her. She auditioned and became the star, Annie herself."
