Bruno Mars’ mother, Bernadette Hernandez, has died from a reported brain aneurysm at the age of 55. A publicist for Bruno’s label, Atlantic Records, confirmed the cause of death and that his mother passed away at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Bernadette was born in the Philippines and immigrated to Hawaii where she worked as a hula dancer and singer. The family was musically-inclined and Bruno (who was born Peter Hernandez) has mentioned in interviews that he often impersonated Elvis Presley when he was two years old and performing in the family’s band.
His mother was highly supportive of her children’s musical ambitions–Bruno’s four sisters form the singing group, The Lylas, and his brother plays drums in his band.