She is not just the country's official ambassador for culture and youth since 2018, also the singer remains the country’s most famous citizen and indeed advocate
In her investiture ceremony, the country’s prime minister Mia Mottley addressed her as "“ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty: may you continue to shine like a diamond”
Rihanna has never softened her Bajan accent, and her music, while tapping into pop, R&B and dance music, has remained rich with her Caribbean heritage.
Rihanna started her career with Pon de Replay in 2005, a track that used a bass-heavy dancehall beat and insistent handclaps.
It is the first time in more than 20 years that Barbados has bestowed a national hero honor: The last person to receive the title was former cricket player Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers.
Rihanna joins a list of other national heroes of Barbados who include public figures and politicians like Barbados' first prime minister Errol Barrowand slave revolt leader Bussa.
She was also designated as one of the richest female entertainers by Forbes this year. Estimated her net worth at $1.7 billion, with most of it coming from her cosmetic brand Fenty Beauty.