Have you ever wondered who helped Nicole Scherzinger become the star she is today? Nicole didn’t grow up with fame, money, or luxury. She was raised by a strong and loving mother named Rosemary Elikolani, who gave everything she had to raise her daughter.
This article shares the real story of Rosemary Elikolani, Nicole Scherzinger’s mother. It’s a story about hard times, courage, and deep love. We’ll look at her early life, her struggles as a young mom, and how she helped Nicole chase her dreams. It’s a story full of heart — and one you won’t forget.
Rosemary Elikolani Quick Bio
| Full Name | Rosemary Elikolani Frederick |
| Known As | Nicole Scherzinger’s mother |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Hawaiian and Ukrainian |
| Birthplace | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Parents | Father was a pastor |
| First Husband | Alfonso Valiente |
| Second Husband | Gary Scherzinger |
| Children | Nicole Scherzinger, Keala Scherzinger |
| Job (Past) | Bank clerk |
| Health | Two open-heart surgeries in 2020 |
| Net Worth (Est.) | Around $500,000 |
| Life Today | Private, peaceful, close to family |
Who Is Rosemary Elikolani?
Rosemary Elikolani is best known as the mother of singer and actress Nicole Scherzinger. But there’s so much more to her than that. She is a woman who went through many hard times in life but always stayed strong for her daughters.
She didn’t grow up with fame or comfort. She worked regular jobs and faced serious challenges. But she never gave up. Her love, faith, and sacrifices helped her daughter go from a small-town girl to a world-famous star.
Nicole often says that her mom is her “everything.” And when you learn more about Rosemary’s life, you’ll understand why.
Rosemary Elikolani’s Early Life and Background
Rosemary was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and has a rich mix of Hawaiian and Ukrainian roots. Some sources even mention Russian heritage. This cultural blend gave her a strong sense of identity and family pride.
But her childhood was not easy. She grew up in a home where love and safety weren’t always there. Her parents were not kind to her, and she often felt alone. She also faced racism because of her mixed background.
Even with all this pain, Rosemary found strength in her faith. She went to Catholic school and followed the values she learned there — values like kindness, prayer, and staying strong in hard times.
Becoming a Mother at Just 17
One of the most powerful parts of Rosemary’s story is that she became a mother when she was still a teenager. She gave birth to Nicole Scherzinger at just 17 or 18 years old. She was living in Hawaii with her partner Alfonso Valiente, who was in the U.S. Army.
But things were very hard. Rosemary was still growing up herself, and now she had to raise a baby. She had almost no money, no support, and no idea what the future would bring. Still, she held on — for her daughter.
Can you imagine being a teenager with a baby, no money, and no help? That was Rosemary’s life. But she never gave up. She worked as much as she could and did everything to keep Nicole safe and loved.
Nicole Scherzinger’s Childhood with Her Mother
Nicole grew up in a very simple home. They didn’t have new clothes or nice things. Most of the time, she wore second-hand clothes, and there wasn’t enough money for extras. But there was always love.
Rosemary worked hard just to keep things going. She sometimes had more than one job. Life was about survival, not comfort. But she always made Nicole feel like she mattered.
Nicole later said that those years taught her to be thankful. Even though she became a global star, she never forgot where she came from — and that’s because of how her mom raised her.
Rosemary Elikolani’s First Marriage and Painful Divorce
Rosemary’s first partner, Alfonso Valiente, was Nicole’s father. But the relationship didn’t last. When Nicole was just two years old, Alfonso left the family.
This was one of the hardest moments in Rosemary’s life. She was now a single mother, completely on her own. No help. No husband. Just her and her little girl.
But instead of falling apart, Rosemary grew stronger. She worked harder, prayed more, and focused on giving Nicole the best life she could. Nicole has said many times that her mom’s strength during this time is something she’ll never forget.
Moving to Kentucky and Starting Over
After some time in Hawaii, Rosemary met a man named Gary Scherzinger, a German-American man who served in the U.S. Army. They got married and decided to start a new life together.
Rosemary moved with Nicole to Louisville, Kentucky, a place that was very different from Hawaii. Later, she had another daughter named Keala. Gary adopted Nicole and gave her the last name we all know today — Scherzinger.
Life in Kentucky was still hard. The family didn’t have much money. But there was love, and there was support. Rosemary and Gary did their best to build a safe and peaceful home.
Second Marriage and Raising Two Daughters
With Gary, Rosemary had a chance to give her daughters more stability. Nicole now had a father figure, and both girls had a family that tried to stick together — even if they didn’t have much money.
Rosemary raised both Nicole and Keala with strong values. She made sure they knew right from wrong. She also made sure they understood the value of hard work and the importance of being kind.
Even though Rosemary and Gary later divorced, they both stayed close to their daughters. They did what they could to stay supportive, and that made a big difference in the girls’ lives.
How Nicole Scherzinger’s Mother Helped Her Follow Her Dreams
From a very young age, Nicole loved music. She dreamed of singing on stage. But music lessons and CDs cost money — and Rosemary didn’t have extra money. So she got creative.
She borrowed CDs from friends so Nicole could listen and practice. Nicole especially loved Miss Saigon and wanted to sing like Whitney Houston. Rosemary noticed Nicole’s passion and encouraged it.
Later, she helped Nicole join a youth performing arts school. Even when it was hard to pay for things, she found a way. She even quit her job to fully support Nicole’s dreams. That kind of sacrifice is something Nicole has never forgotten.
Faith, Culture, and Family Values
One of the most important parts of Rosemary Elikolani’s life is her strong faith. She was raised in a Catholic home. Her father was a pastor, and this had a big impact on how she raised her daughters.
She taught Nicole and Keala to pray, stay humble, and trust God in every situation. Nicole still talks about how she prays before every show or big moment — a habit she learned from her mom.
Rosemary also made sure her girls knew and respected their Hawaiian and Ukrainian roots. Even though they lived far from Hawaii, they never forgot where they came from. Rosemary kept their culture alive through stories, food, and family traditions.
Nicole’s Sweet Tributes to Her Mom
Nicole Scherzinger often shows how much she loves her mom. On Mother’s Day, birthdays, or just random days, she writes sweet messages about Rosemary Elikolani on social media.
One time, Nicole shared a photo of them and wrote: “Other than our Heavenly Father, you know you are my absolute everything.”
Nicole also posts old family pictures, showing her mom, her grandma, and her aunties. She often says she comes from a line of “warrior women.” Fans love these photos and always comment on how much Nicole looks like her mom. Many say, “You’re your mom’s twin!”
These moments remind us that even though Nicole is famous, she stays deeply connected to her family — especially her mom.
Rosemary Elikolani’s Health Battles and Surgeries
In 2020, Rosemary went through one of the hardest times in her life. She had to have open-heart surgery — twice. It happened just a few weeks before Christmas, and it was a scary time for everyone in the family.
Nicole shared this with her fans and asked them to pray for her mom. She said she was “blessed” when the surgery went well. That Christmas, they were able to celebrate together — something Nicole called a miracle.
Even after going through such serious health issues, Rosemary stayed positive. She smiled, laughed, and enjoyed every moment with her family. Her strength showed again, just like it always has.
Where Is Nicole Scherzinger’s Mother Today?
Today, Rosemary Elikolani lives a quiet and private life. She no longer works and spends most of her time with her family. She sometimes appears at special events with Nicole or shows up in the audience during performances.
She once worked as a bank clerk, and even though her life wasn’t full of riches, she built something more valuable — a strong and loving family. Her estimated net worth is around $500,000, but her true wealth is in the love she gave and the respect she earned.
She doesn’t like the spotlight, and she doesn’t want fame. But to those who know her story, she’s a hero in her own way — someone who stayed strong, kind, and faithful no matter what.
Final Thoughts
The life of Rosemary Elikolani, Nicole Scherzinger’s mother, is a true story of love, strength, and sacrifice. She didn’t grow up with ease. She faced pain, poverty, and heartbreak. But she always stayed strong for her daughters.
She raised Nicole with care, faith, and belief — even when they had nothing. And because of that, Nicole grew into a woman who never forgot where she came from.
Behind Nicole’s fame is a quiet, powerful force: her mom. And now, the world knows more about Rosemary Elikolani — not just as Nicole Scherzinger’s mother, but as a woman whose brave journey changed everything.
(FAQs)
What is Rosemary Elikolani’s nationality?
She is American. She was born in the United States and grew up in Hawaii.
What is Rosemary Elikolani’s ethnicity?
Rosemary has Hawaiian and Ukrainian background. Her family roots are from two different cultures.
Who are Rosemary Elikolani’s parents?
Her dad was a pastor, but her childhood was not happy. She grew up in a home that was not kind or loving.
Who was Rosemary Elikolani’s husband?
Her first husband was Alfonso Valiente, Nicole’s father, but he left when Nicole was 2 years old. She later married Gary Scherzinger, who helped raise Nicole.
Where does Rosemary Elikolani live now?
She lives a quiet life, close to her family. After having two heart surgeries, she is now resting and staying healthy.
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