Chart Topper Bruno Mars’ Mother Dies at Age 55

Bernadette Hernandez, mother of Grammy Award-winning Bruno Mars, has passed away at the young age of 55. 

Bernadette is understood to have suffered a brain aneurysm, according to a publicist for Mars' label, Atlantic Records, who spoke to The Associated Press. She died in Honolulu at Queens Medical Center on Saturday, after initially taking ill on Friday night.

Bruno, front left, and his mother Bernadette, centre, during Mars' childhood

Singer Mars, who was born Peter Gene Hernandez, is one of pop’s most successful current acts, with multiple number one hits including ‘Grenade’ and ‘Just The Way You Are’. Earlier this year the 28-year-old told Rolling Stone that his childhood was a musical one, and that his mother always encouraged his dreams of stardom and success.