Barbados Declares Rihanna A National Hero

Rihanna’s native country Barbados not only transitioned from a British Colony to a republic on November 30th but the singer/businesswoman has also been declared the 11th national hero. Rihanna is the second living person to be declared a national hero in Barbados. She flew home to accept the honor with the first living national hero, Sir Garfield Sobers, looking on. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley bestowed the honor upon the Savage/Fenty queen saying, “May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation by your works, by your actions.” Barbados has a population of 200,000 and was under British rule for over 400 years. The event also marks 55 years to the day that Barbados was declared independent although Queen Elizabeth remained ceremonial head of the country.