Fat Joe Grieves the Loss of His Mother Weeks After Father’s Death
Fat Joe is mourning another devastating loss.
Less than three months after his father’s death, the Bronx rapper has announced that his mother, Marie Del-Carmen Cartagena, has passed away at age 77.
“This a real one, rest in peace to the woman who brought me in this world,” Joe wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post on Saturday (May 3), paying tribute to the woman who shaped his life. “She didn’t have much but she gave us everything.”
According to the emcee, his mother was known for staying close to her roots and had a deep love for her community.
“She refused to move out the projects for many years even though I had money,” he continued. “She loved her community, she loved her people — Ms. Ruby the Terror Squad Queen.”
Joe also opened up about how proud his mother was of not only his achievements but also of his extended family, including longtime collaborators DJ Khaled, Remy Ma, and others. “She was sooooooo proud of us,” he added.
Her passing follows the February death of Joe’s father, Ernesto “Cuba” Cartagena, who died at 89 after being married to Marie for 60 years. Joe believes his mother died of a broken heart.
“My dad wanted her with him,” he wrote. “I have to give thanks to the father my God for letting me have her in my life this long.”
In his tribute, Joe extended love to the broader family—“to the Castro family, the Cartagena family, the Delgado family”—and wrote directly to his mother: “Mommy, till I see you again. You were my world, my heart, my everything. I’ll continue to make you proud.”
The post included a carousel of intimate family photos, including images of Marie in her younger years and sweet moments shared with loved ones.
