Lady Gaga is facing a heartbreaking personal loss. Singer’s grandmother, Angelina Calderone Germanotta, has died just days before her 95th birthday. The beloved matriarch of the Germanotta family passed away on October 12, and a funeral was held on October 17 in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, as reported by TMZ.
A Legacy That Lives Through Gaga
Angelina was the mother of Lady Gaga’s father, Joe Germanotta, and shared a deep bond with her granddaughter. Gaga’s full name, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, honors her grandmother as a lasting tribute, reflecting the singer’s love for her family and pride in her Italian heritage.
Born into a proud Italian-American family, Angelina represented the traditions and values that helped shape Lady Gaga’s life and career. She and her late husband, Joe Germanotta Sr., raised their son Joe Germanotta, who later married Cynthia Germanotta—now president of the Born This Way Foundation, which Gaga co-founded to support youth mental health and kindness.
The Germanotta family has deep roots in New York, where Gaga grew up surrounded by her grandmother’s warmth, faith, and old-world influence. The pop icon has often spoken about how her family’s love and values keep her grounded despite global fame, crediting their resilience and faith as guiding forces behind her creativity, philanthropy, and sense of identity.
Throughout her career, Gaga often spoke about her admiration for her grandmother. In 2017, just before her Super Bowl halftime show, Gaga shared a sweet moment with Angelina over FaceTime, as per a report in US Weekly. “Grandma Ronnie, hi!” she said in an Instagram Story, to which Angelina lovingly replied, “Oh, honey. You look so beautiful.” Gaga beamed, responding, “Thank you!”
The exchange captured the deep bond between them, one filled with warmth, affection, and mutual admiration.
A Woman of Strength & Compassion
Angelina’s strength and empathy also touched the public during a difficult time in 2021 when Gaga’s two French bulldogs were kidnapped in Los Angeles. Speaking to the New York Daily News, she showed compassion for the injured dog walker and her family’s ordeal.
“It’s a cruel world we’re living in,” Angelina said. “I’m praying this young man recovers, and I hope the dogs are found safe and in good health. The family is devastated. It’s very, very sad that we’re living in a world where this can happen.”
A Life of Love & Family
Known for her warmth, strength, and unwavering grace, Angelina Calderone Germanotta was the heart of the family. Her legacy continues through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, including Lady Gaga, who has often said that her family’s love and traditions keep her grounded.
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