Marjorie Grande — affectionately known by Ariana and her family as “Nonna” — was the maternal grandmother of Ariana Grande. Her passing in June 2025 at the age of 99 was announced by Ariana’s mother on social media.
Her life spanned nearly a century. According to reporting, Marjorie was born around October 1925. Early in life she met her husband, Frank Grande, when she was just 11 years old. The two formed a lifelong bond, built a family, and together raised two daughters — one of whom, Joan Grande, is Ariana’s mother.
Marjorie’s long life and family — daughters, grandchildren (including Ariana and her brother Frankie Grande), and the memories created over decades — underscore her role as a matriarch of the Grande family.
But more than just a grandmother, Marjorie carved out a special position in Ariana’s life — one that went well beyond family ties and entered the public sphere, celebrated by fans and media alike.
A Lifelong Supporter: Marjorie’s Role in Ariana’s Career & Life
From the start of Ariana’s performing life, Marjorie was there. According to interviews and past reporting, it was Marjorie who recognized Ariana’s early talent — she was the one who encouraged Ariana to audition for a local theater production of Annie in Boca Raton, when Ariana was just a child. Marjorie’s faith in her granddaughter’s potential helped set the first stages of Ariana’s career in motion.
As Ariana’s fame grew, Nonna Grande remained a constant presence at her side — not just privately, but publicly. Over the years, she accompanied Ariana to high-profile events: award shows, galas, and important milestones.
Their bond — warm, public, and rooted in genuine affection — symbolized one of the more touching aspects of celebrity family life: despite Ariana’s enormous success, her grandmother stayed grounded and loved, sharing celebrations and memories.
In a world where fame often distances artists from their roots, Marjorie represented belonging, family, and enduring support — a role many fans admired and respected.
Marjorie’s Unexpected Musical Legacy
Perhaps the most surprising and poignant legacy of Marjorie Grande came in 2024, when she made music history. On Ariana’s seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, the closing track — ordinary things — features Marjorie’s voice in a heartfelt outro. In it, Nonna answers a question Ariana poses at the start of the album: “How can I tell if I’m in the right relationship?” Marjorie’s response: “Never go to bed without kissin’ goodnight… That’s the worst thing to do.”
When “ordinary things” charted — debuting at No. 55 on the Billboard Hot 100 — Marjorie became the oldest person ever to appear on that chart.
This unlikely feat — a near-centenarian grandmother appearing on a modern pop chart — resonated deeply with fans worldwide. It blended generational gaps, spotlighted family bonds, and underscored how intimate moments of love and wisdom can find a home even on mainstream pop platforms.
In a sense, Marjorie’s cameo in Ariana’s music transformed her from supporting family member to part of Ariana’s public, creative legacy — a legacy that will likely live on as long as Ariana’s music is listened to.
The Final Years and Passing: Farewell to Nonna Grande
In mid-June 2025, the Grande family shared sad news: Marjorie “Nonna” Grande passed away peacefully in her home, at 99 years old, surrounded by loved ones. The family’s official statement expressed devastation and gratitude for the support and privacy extended by fans and media during a time of grief.
Ariana, Frankie, and their extended family publicly memorialized her with photos and tributes. Ariana shared a touching black-and-white image of her grandparents’ wedding day, captioned simply, “Forever.”
The outpouring of condolences from the public was immense. Fans around the world recognized not only celebrities’ grief — but honored what Nonna Grande meant to many: a symbol of family, warmth, history, and intergenerational love.
For Ariana, the loss is deeply personal. As she continues her career — on stage, in music, and public life — the absence of her longtime supporter will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact. But in many ways, through memories, music, and shared stories, Nonna Grande’s presence endures.
Why Marjorie Grande’s Story Resonates: Beyond Celebrity
The story of Marjorie Grande isn’t just about a celebrity’s grandmother — it’s about heritage, family bonds, and how love transcends generations and fame.
Many of us experience grandmothers’ love as a quiet constant. For Ariana, Nonna was a living link to her roots, an early champion of her dreams, and a steady foundation even amid glitz, fame, and constant change. Her crossing into the public sphere — at award shows, in music tracks, in social media tributes — reminds us that behind the public image there are human relationships, deep care, and lived history.
Her musical feature on “ordinary things” — humble, simple, but so full of sincerity — reminds us that wisdom and love don’t have to come from youth, glamor, or trendiness. Sometimes they come from decades of living, loving, learning, and simply being present. That her voice could, at 98 or 99, reach charts and millions of fans, speaks to the power of intergenerational bonds.
And finally: in a world where celebrities are often curated, distant, and built for spectacle — Nonna Grande’s story feels grounded. It offers a heartfelt contrast: love, family, roots, vulnerability. It’s a testament to how even in the most public lives, what matters most can remain deeply personal.
In celebrating Marjorie Grande, we commemorate a woman — a grandmother, a matriarch, a part of a famous family — but also an everyday human being whose warmth, love, and influence touched not only her immediate family, but millions who heard her voice and learned her story.
