“Elusive.”
That’s how Renata Ford was often described.
On Monday, the Ford family announced that the widow of former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford had died at the age of 55.
Premier Doug Ford, her brother-in-law, shared his condolences, including to his niece Stephanie and nephew Douglas, who lost their mother after already having lost their father in 2016.
The widow of arguably Toronto’s most well-known mayor, Rob Ford, Renata was by his side through Ford’s tumultuous ride to fame and infamy — from his mayoral victory in 2010, to his explosive crack cocaine scandal in 2013, to his cancer diagnosis in 2014. Throughout her husband’s political career, Renata maintained a quiet profile, drawing media attention only after her husband died.
She was, nonetheless, a recurring presence. Here are six snapshots of Renata Ford’s life in and around politics.
Marrying Rob Ford (2000)
In a white dress with a sweetheart neckline, on a sunny day in August 2000, Renata Brejniak was wed to Rob Ford at the All Saints Roman Catholic Church in Etobicoke.
The couple’s childhood homes were in the same neighbourhood, wrote former Star reporter Robyn Doolittle, in her book ”Crazy Town: The Rob Ford Story.”
The two dated for several years after Renata’s first husband filed for divorce in 1996, and Rob proposed shortly after.
Supporting Rob through scandal (2013)
Rob Ford has had his fair share of scandal, and Renata stuck by for it all.
In 2013, when a bombshell video caught Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine with people involved in the drug trade, questions started to be asked about the mayor’s substance abuse issues.
In an audio recording Doolittle was given access to listen to, the Star reported that Renata had confided to someone (who was secretly recording) about her worries that her husband’s substance abuse would “ruin” his life.
The man Renata had spoken to gave her advice about “methadone, withdrawal symptoms and clinics that will be discreet” to get Rob the help she thought he needed.
In another incident, Rob Ford made a lewd comment about his wife to reporters while responding to allegations of inappropriate workplace behaviour with a staffer.
To apologize, Rob brought Renata — who was mostly absent from his campaign trail and, again, stayed out of the spotlight — to stand beside him as he admitted to using “unforgivable language” and vowed to get help.
He asked for privacy for his wife and his family, before forcing Renata through a crowd of reporters to leave, despite a side-door exit that was free.
Suing her in-laws (2018)
In 2018, just months after her husband of 17 years passed away, Renata and her two children sued Doug Ford, alleging he deprived them of millions of dollars, including shares in the family business and a life insurance policy left behind to support Rob’s family.
The $16.5-million lawsuit came up as Doug Ford was close to becoming premier of Ontario. The matriarch of the Ford family, Diane — who died in 2020 — issued a statement calling Renata’s lawsuit “heartbreaking.”
It marked a rift in the family, as Doug maintained that his brother’s children would be well taken care of.
An investigation by the Star’s Kevin Donovan at the time detailed how Rob Ford’s estate file showed no indication of a payout to his widow or children, and that Renata Ford had taken out several mortgages on the family home in the two years since Rob Ford died.
Legal troubles (2018)
The year 2018 was a busy, public one in a private woman’s life.
In December 2016, Renata was charged with drunk driving after her car “rubbed up against” another vehicle. When she pulled over to a parking spot, people came by to help her out of her car and she sat down on the curb. Renata told witnesses that she needed a cigarette and asked them not to call the police before walking over to an LCBO parking lot.
She pleaded guilty to the charge in 2018, and the judge handed her a suspended sentence which included a two-year driving ban, a $1,100 fine, and 100 hours of community service that must be completed within 18 months. She was also told she must have an interlocking device installed on any vehicles she owns.
“She lived in a terrible chaotic world… being the spouse of an individual targeted by the media for many, many years,” Morris had told the judge.
Renata had faced two previous charges, in 1997 for refusing to provide a breath sample and in 2005 for impaired driving.
Her lawyer, Dennis Morris, said outside of court that since Renata had changed her ways, the sentence was fair.
Another Ford enters politics, formally (2019)
It was the 2019 federal election and a new Ford entered the political fray.
The Etobicoke North riding was held provincially by her brother-in-law, Doug Ford, when Renata joined the People’s Party of Canada spearheaded by Maxime Bernier in a bid to become MP in the same zone.
“I’m healthier, stronger, I have great support and I think a lot of people go through hard times and they come out,” Renata said at a scrum where she announced her candidacy.
Though her odds of winning were slim — Liberal incumbent Kristy Duncan won the election that year — she spent her campaign reminding potential voters of their fondness for Rob.
Among the last public appearances (2024)
After her political career was cut short by the loss, Renata faded out of public view again. One of her last public appearances was in 2024, when city council officially unveiled Rob Ford Stadium as a permanent tribute to the controversial mayor.
Renata was joined by her daughter and son, as well as brother-in-law Doug and Mayor Olivia Chow, for the unveiling.
She smiled as she held the plaque that read her late husband’s name and the address of his forever memorial in the city.
