Ariana Grande announces the death of her ‘Nonna’ Marjorie Grande at 99 in heartbreaking post

The ‘Wicked’ star frequently posted about her grandmother on social media

Ariana Grande has announced the death of her grandmother, Marjorie Grande. She was 99.

On Tuesday, the 31-year-old singer reshared a statement posted by her mother, Joan Grande, about Marjorie’s death. Ariana frequently posted about her grandmother, whom she affectionately called “Nonna,” on social media and even took her to see her movie, Wicked, in November.

“We are devastated to share that the beloved matriarch of our family has passed away,” the statement signed by Ariana and her family reads.

“Marjorie (Nonna) Grande passed away peacefully in her home and was surrounded by family and loved ones for every moment of her last few weeks. We thank you for your love, support, and for respecting our privacy as we grieve and celebrate her beautiful, extraordinary life.”

Ariana shared a close bond with her grandmother. In 2014, Marjorie accompanied the singer as her date to the VMAs, where they wore coordinating black-and-white outfits and shared hugs on the red carpet. Marjorie has since joined the pop star for numerous events, including the 2015 American Music Awards and the 2016 Time 100 Gala.

Ariana Grande said her grandmother ‘was surrounded by family and loved ones’ at the time of her death (@frankiegrande / @arianagrane / Instagram)

When Marjorie went to see her granddaughter play Glinda in Wicked at a Cinemark 20 in Boca Raton, Florida, Ariana made sure to join her.

“Flew to Boca for a day to watch with Nonna at the movie theater I grew up going to every weekend,” the “Side to Side” singer wrote on her Instagram Stories in November alongside photos of the outing.

“Thrilled to report that when the sugar glider had her drum solo Nonna exclaimed loudly, ‘Oh I LOVE that,’” Ariana added.

Ariana’s brother, Frankie Grande, also paid tribute to his grandmother on Instagram with a lengthy tribute. He shared a series of throwback photos of himself and Majorie and reflected on the “countless lessons” he learned from her.

“You taught me how to love without conditions, how to dominate a three-card poker table, how to never ever take a bad picture, how to light up a dinner party just by being in the room, how to give the warmest, safest hugs, how to stand in my truth unapologetically, how to not give a single f*** bout what anyone thinks, and most importantly, how to show up for family in a way so deep, so unwavering, that I promise you: I will carry that torch fiercely in your absence. No question. No option,” he wrote. “You always called me the apple of your eye, Nonna and you have always been mine. A best friend. My safe place.”

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Frankie continued: “I honestly don’t know how this world turns without you in it, but I do know this: I know you so well, I will never have to wonder what you’d say or think in any situation. Your voice, your love, your spirit is forever part of me. So in that way, we’ll never be apart.”

In March 2024, Majorie broke a Billboard Hot 100 record, after appearing at the end of Ariana’s song “ordinary things,” from her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine. She became the “senior-most artist ever to have appeared on the Hot 100,” according to Billboard.

Ariana later celebrated her grandmother’s milestone on Instagram, writing: “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 Hot 100. We love and thank you.”

Marjorie offered timeless wisdom in the track, as she reflected on her relationship with her late husband, Frank. “Never go to bed without kissing goodnight,” she said. “That’s the worst thing to do. Don’t ever 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.”