Rosemary Elikolani is best known as the mother of global superstar Nicole Scherzinger, but her own story is one of remarkable strength and sacrifice. Born in Honolulu with Hawaiian and Ukrainian roots, she became a teenage mother and later faced financial hardship, health battles, and the challenges of raising a famous daughter. Despite two open heart surgeries and a quiet life away from the spotlight, Rosemary remains a powerful influence in Nicole’s life. This article explores her biography, family, heritage, and lasting legacy.
Rosemary Elikolani Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Rosemary Elikolani |
| Born | October 12, 1960 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 65 years old |
| Birthplace | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA |
| Heritage | Native Hawaiian (father) and Ukrainian (mother) |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouses | Alfonso Valiente (ex-partner), Gary Scherzinger (husband) |
| Children | Nicole Scherzinger (daughter), Keala Scherzinger (daughter) |
| Known For | Being the mother of singer Nicole Scherzinger |
| Health | Underwent two open heart surgeries (second in December 2020) |
| Religion | Devout Catholic |
| Residence | Private, believed to be in the USA |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $500,000 |
| Occupation | Homemaker and mother (professional details private) |
Who Is Rosemary Elikolani?
Rosemary Elikolani is best known as the mother of Nicole Scherzinger, the famous singer, songwriter, and actress who rose to global fame as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls.
She is a private person who has mostly stayed out of the spotlight, but her role in shaping her daughter’s life and career has made her a person of great interest to fans around the world. Rosemary’s journey from a teenage mother in Hawaii to the proud matriarch of a globally recognized family is a story of strength, sacrifice, and love.
Rosemary Elikolani’s Early Life and Background
Rosemary Elikolani was born on October 12, 1960, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
She grew up in a religious family, and her father served as a pastor in a local church. Rosemary was only 17 years old when she welcomed her first daughter, Nicole, into the world. At that time, she was living in Honolulu with her partner, Alfonso Valiente, who was of Filipino descent.
Hawaiian Heritage and Family Roots
Rosemary Elikolani comes from a rich and diverse cultural background that includes both Hawaiian and Ukrainian heritage.
Her father was Native Hawaiian, while her mother was of Ukrainian descent. This unique mix of cultures has been a source of pride for her daughter Nicole, who frequently shares pictures of her mother, aunties, and grandmother on social media and speaks warmly of her roots. Nicole has often expressed her appreciation for coming from a long line of compassionate, strong, and warrior women.
Rosemary Elikolani’s Health: The Open Heart Surgeries
Rosemary Elikolani has faced serious health challenges, including two open heart surgeries.
Her second open heart surgery took place just two weeks before Christmas in 2020. Nicole Scherzinger shared the emotional news on Instagram, describing the experience as a “hard and scary road” and calling her mother a “miracle”. Nicole also expressed that the greatest Christmas gift was simply being with her mother that day. These health struggles have brought the mother and daughter even closer together.
Rosemary Elikolani’s Marriage to Alfonso Valiente
Rosemary Elikolani’s first relationship was with Alfonso Valiente, a man of Filipino descent who is Nicole Scherzinger’s biological father.
The couple welcomed their daughter Nicole on June 29, 1978, when Rosemary was still a teenager. However, the relationship did not last, and Alfonso left the family when Nicole was only two years old. This left Rosemary to raise Nicole as a single mother, a challenge she faced with remarkable resilience and determination.
Rosemary Elikolani and Gary Scherzinger
Rosemary Elikolani later found love with Gary Scherzinger, a German-American man who became a loving father figure to Nicole.
Gary and Rosemary began dating and soon moved together to Louisville, Kentucky. Gary legally adopted Nicole, and she took his surname, becoming Nicole Scherzinger. Together, Rosemary and Gary built a stable family life for their daughters, even though they continued to face financial struggles for some time.
Rosemary Elikolani’s Children
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger is Rosemary Elikolani’s first daughter and the child who brought her into the public eye. Born on June 29, 1978, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Nicole grew up to become one of the most recognized singers in the world as the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls. Nicole has often credited her mother’s influence and sacrifice for her success, saying that “the better part of me is my mother”.
Keala Scherzinger
Keala Scherzinger is Rosemary Elikolani’s second daughter and Nicole’s younger half-sister. Keala is the biological daughter of Gary Scherzinger and shares a close bond with Nicole, though she has chosen to stay out of the limelight. Nicole occasionally shares photos with her sister on social media, showing their strong family connection.
Rosemary Elikolani’s Move From Hawaii to Kentucky
Rosemary Elikolani moved from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Louisville, Kentucky, when Nicole was around six years old.
She made this move with her two daughters, Nicole and Keala, and her husband Gary Scherzinger, in search of a more stable life for their family. The transition was not easy, as the family continued to face financial hardships in Kentucky, with the children sometimes wearing second-hand clothes and being bullied at school. Despite these challenges, the move to Kentucky proved to be a turning point for the family, as it was there that Nicole discovered her passion for music and performing arts.
How Rosemary Elikolani Influenced Nicole Scherzinger’s Life and Career?
Rosemary Elikolani has been the single most important influence on Nicole Scherzinger’s life and career, providing love, support, and guidance through every stage of her journey.
Nicole has publicly credited her mother’s influence as a key factor in her success, alongside the powerful voice of Whitney Houston. As a devout Catholic, Rosemary raised Nicole with strong religious values, and Nicole would pray before every performance and appearance. Rosemary also remained a grounding force in Nicole’s life, even scolding her for wearing revealing outfits on stage and monitoring her photos online.
Rosemary Elikolani’s estimated net worth
Rosemary Elikolani’s estimated net worth is around $500,000, a figure that reflects her connection to her famous daughter rather than her own professional earnings, as she has largely kept her career and financial details out of the public eye.
While her daughter Nicole Scherzinger has achieved global fame and significant wealth as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, Rosemary herself has lived a relatively private life, and the exact sources of her income remain undisclosed. This estimated figure is widely cited across celebrity biography sites, though it is important to note that it is not officially confirmed by Rosemary or her family.
What Does Rosemary Elikolani Do for a Living?
Rosemary Elikolani has primarily dedicated her life to being a mother and homemaker, and information about any professional career she may have had is not publicly available.
Unlike her famous daughter, Rosemary has chosen to live a private life away from the entertainment industry. Her estimated net worth is around $500,000, which reflects her connection to her successful daughter rather than her own professional earnings.
Conclusion: Rosemary Elikolani’s Legacy
Rosemary Elikolani’s legacy is one of resilience, sacrifice, and unconditional love, and her story is a powerful reminder that behind every successful person is often a strong and devoted parent.
From her humble beginnings as a teenage mother in Hawaii to her role as the matriarch of a family that has achieved global recognition, Rosemary has shown what it means to put family first. Her journey through financial hardship, health challenges, and personal struggles has only made her stronger, and her influence on Nicole Scherzinger’s life and career cannot be overstated. Rosemary Elikolani may not be a celebrity herself, but her legacy lives on through her daughter’s success and the values of faith, family, and perseverance that she instilled in her children.
Rosemary Elikolani FAQ
How Old Is Rosemary Elikolani?
Rosemary Elikolani’s exact date of birth is not publicly verified, so her precise age is unclear. Some celebrity-biography websites estimate that she is in her 60s, but reliable biographical sources do not provide a confirmed birth date.
Who Is Rosemary Elikolani’s Husband?
Rosemary Elikolani was previously in a relationship with Alfonso Valiente and later married Gary Scherzinger. Gary became Nicole Scherzinger’s stepfather and adopted Nicole after marrying Rosemary.
Who Are Rosemary Elikolani’s Children?
Rosemary Elikolani has two daughters, Nicole Scherzinger and Keala Scherzinger. Nicole is her daughter with Alfonso Valiente, while Keala is her daughter with Gary Scherzinger.
Who Is Rosemary Elikolani’s Daughter Nicole Scherzinger?
Nicole Scherzinger is an American singer, actress, songwriter, and television personality who became internationally known as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls. She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on June 29, 1978, to Rosemary Elikolani and Alfonso Valiente.
What Is Rosemary Elikolani’s Ethnicity?
Rosemary Elikolani is widely described as having Native Hawaiian and Ukrainian ancestry, with some sources also mentioning Russian roots. Her daughter Nicole has publicly discussed her Hawaiian and Ukrainian family heritage.
Where Was Rosemary Elikolani Born?
Rosemary Elikolani is reported to have been born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her daughter Nicole was also born in Honolulu, and the family later moved to Louisville, Kentucky, when Nicole was six years old.
