Who Is Rosemary Elikolani? The Quiet Hero in Nicole Scherzinger’s Life

Have you ever wondered who raised the powerful voice behind the Pussycat Dolls?
Before fame, awards, and bright stage lights, Nicole Scherzinger grew up with something far more important — a strong and loving mother named Rosemary Elikolani.

Rosemary Elikolani is not famous in movies or music. She never chased attention. But her life story is full of strength, pain, faith, and sacrifice. She raised her children during very hard times. She faced money problems, heartbreak, and fear. Still, she never gave up.

In this article, we will learn who Rosemary Elikolani really is. We will talk about her early life, her background, and how she became a mother at a very young age. This is the story of a quiet hero whose love helped shape a global star.

Rosemary Elikolani Profile Summary

Who Is Rosemary Elikolani?

Rosemary Elikolani is best known as the mother of Nicole Scherzinger. But her story goes much deeper than that. She is a woman who stayed strong even when life felt unfair and heavy.

She worked simple jobs and lived a normal life. She did not grow up rich. She did not have easy support. But she had something powerful — love for her children. That love guided every choice she made.

When people see Nicole’s confidence and strength today, they are also seeing the values her mother passed down. Rosemary Elikolani taught her daughters how to stay humble, kind, and brave, even when life is hard.

Rosemary Elikolani’s Early Life

Rosemary Elikolani was born in the United States and grew up with a mixed background. She has Hawaiian and Ukrainian roots, which gave her a strong sense of culture and family pride.

Her childhood, however, was not easy. She grew up in a home where love and safety were missing. She faced neglect and emotional pain at a very young age. On top of that, she also dealt with racism because of her mixed background.

Even with all these struggles, Rosemary Elikolani did not lose her spirit. She went to a Catholic school, where faith became a big part of her life. Prayer, patience, and hope helped her survive those early years.

Rosemary Elikolani’s Family Roots

Family always meant everything to Rosemary Elikolani. Her background is full of strong women who believed in faith, care, and staying together.

Nicole often talks about her mother, grandmother, and aunties with pride. She calls them strong and brave women. This tells us how deep these family values run.

Rosemary passed this love for family down to her daughters. Even during hard times, she made sure her children knew where they came from and felt proud of it.

Becoming a Mother at a Young Age

One of the most powerful parts of Rosemary Elikolani’s story is that she became a mother at just 17 years old. Imagine being that young and suddenly responsible for a baby.

She was living in Honolulu, Hawaii, when she gave birth to Nicole. She had very little money and very little help. Life became serious very fast.

There were days when she struggled to afford food or clothes. Nicole grew up wearing second-hand clothes. Some days were scary. But Rosemary stayed strong. She kept moving forward, even when she felt tired and alone.

Rosemary Elikolani and Alfonso Valiente

Rosemary Elikolani was married young to Alfonso Valiente, a Filipino-American man who served in the U.S. Army. Their relationship did not last.

When Nicole was only two years old, Alfonso left. This moment changed everything. Rosemary suddenly became a single mother with no real support.

Instead of giving up, she stepped up. She worked harder and focused fully on protecting and raising her child. These early struggles shaped both Rosemary and Nicole in deep ways.

Life as a Single Mother

After the separation, Rosemary Elikolani raised Nicole mostly on her own. Life was very hard. Money was tight all the time.

They did not have luxury. They did not have comfort. But they had love. Rosemary made sure her daughter felt safe and cared for, even when she had nothing else to give.

This period of life taught Nicole humility and strength. It also showed how powerful a mother’s love can be, even in the darkest moments.

A Second Child and More Responsibility

Later, Rosemary Elikolani welcomed her second daughter, Keala. Now she had two children to care for.

Life did not suddenly get easier. In fact, it became harder. Two children meant more needs and more worry. Still, Rosemary stayed calm and focused.

She believed that love, discipline, and faith could carry her family through anything. That belief helped her survive another difficult chapter of life.

A Big Move for a Better Life

Rosemary Elikolani knew she needed a fresh start. So she made a brave choice. She left Hawaii and moved to Louisville, Kentucky, hoping for a better future.

This move was not easy. It meant leaving behind everything familiar. But Rosemary believed it was the right step for her children.

This decision would later play a big role in Nicole’s future. It marked the beginning of a new chapter — one that we will explore in the second half of the article.

Rosemary’s Marriage to Gary Scherzinger

After moving to Kentucky, Rosemary Elikolani met Gary Scherzinger, a kind man with a German-American background. He was also in the U.S. Army and brought support and structure into her life. They got married and began a new chapter together.

Gary became a father figure to both Nicole and Keala. He later adopted Nicole, giving her the last name we all know today — Scherzinger. Rosemary and Gary worked together to raise their daughters in a simple but loving home.

Even though money was still tight, Rosemary finally had someone to help share the responsibility. This marriage gave Nicole the stability she needed to grow and follow her dreams.

Life in Kentucky and More Struggles

Living in Kentucky wasn’t easy either. Rosemary and Gary both worked hard, but they didn’t earn much. Their daughters still wore second-hand clothes. The family often had to stretch every dollar just to get by.

Nicole was often bullied at school for how she looked and dressed. It was heartbreaking, but Rosemary stood by her. She told Nicole to believe in herself, stay kind, and never give up. Those words stayed with Nicole forever.

Even when the family couldn’t afford things like theater tickets or music lessons, Rosemary found other ways to help. She borrowed CDs and tapes from neighbors so Nicole could listen and practice singing at home.

Helping Nicole Chase Her Dreams

Nicole loved music from a young age. She wanted to be like Whitney Houston, and she loved musicals like Miss Saigon. Rosemary saw this passion and did everything she could to support it.

She helped Nicole get into a youth performing arts school, even when it wasn’t easy to afford supplies or travel. Later, Rosemary pushed Nicole to audition for talent shows like Popstars, where Nicole’s big break began.

Rosemary believed in Nicole before anyone else did. Her encouragement gave Nicole the confidence to try, to fail, and to keep going. Without that support, Nicole’s journey to becoming a star would have been much harder.

A Mother’s Love and Strong Values

Rosemary Elikolani raised her daughters with strong Catholic values. Her father was a pastor, and faith was a big part of their lives. They prayed together, stayed grounded, and always gave thanks for what they had — even if it wasn’t much.

Nicole has shared that before every performance, she still prays — a habit her mother taught her. Even after becoming famous, Rosemary reminded Nicole to stay humble and grateful.

There was a moment when Rosemary cried during one of Nicole’s concerts. She saw her daughter in a revealing outfit and felt emotional. It wasn’t anger — it was just a mix of pride and worry. Rosemary came from a conservative background, and seeing her daughter in the spotlight was overwhelming.

But it also showed how much she cared. She wasn’t judging Nicole — she just wanted her to stay true to herself.

Nicole’s Beautiful Tributes to Her Mom

Nicole has always spoken with love and respect about her mom. On Mother’s Day and birthdays, she shares sweet messages and old family photos on Instagram.

In one touching post, Nicole called her mom “my absolute everything.” Fans can see the love in every word, and it’s clear that Rosemary is more than just a mother — she is Nicole’s greatest source of strength.

Nicole also celebrates her mother’s cultural background. She often shares pictures of Rosemary, her aunties, and her grandmother, calling them “warrior women” who shaped her life.

These tributes show how strong their bond is — even after years of fame and travel, Nicole never forgets who helped her rise.

Health Scares and Open-Heart Surgeries

In 2020, Rosemary Elikolani went through a serious health crisis. Just before Christmas, she had to undergo two open-heart surgeries.

It was a scary time for the whole family. Nicole shared her fears online, asking fans to pray for her mother. She said she felt “blessed” when the surgeries were successful, and she was able to spend the holidays with her mom and sister.

That experience brought the family even closer. It reminded Nicole how fragile life can be — and how grateful she was to still have her mother with her.

Even after major surgery, Rosemary’s strength never faded. She continued to smile, love, and support her daughters.

Life Today: Quiet, Private, and Peaceful

Today, Rosemary Elikolani lives a very private life. She doesn’t enjoy being in the spotlight, and she rarely appears at public events. When she does show up — like on The X Factor — it’s only to support Nicole.

Before retiring, she worked as a bank clerk, living a simple and honest life. Now, she spends her time focusing on her health, her daughters, and peaceful days with her family.

Her estimated net worth is around $500,000, but her real wealth is the love and respect she built with her children.

Final Thoughts

Rosemary Elikolani may not be famous, but she is truly a hero in her own quiet way.

She became a mom at 17, raised two daughters with very little money, faced heartbreak, moved across the country, and still gave her kids hope, love, and strength. She never chased fame — she chased a better life for her family.

Every time we see Nicole Scherzinger on stage or hear her speak with confidence, we are also seeing the heart of the woman who raised her.

Rosemary’s story reminds us that real heroes don’t always wear fancy clothes or walk red carpets. Sometimes, they wear second-hand clothes, work long hours, and raise stars in silence.

That is who Rosemary Elikolani is — the quiet hero behind Nicole Scherzinger’s amazing life.

You may also read: Who Is Todd Van Sickle? The Private Life of Jennifer Nettles’ Ex-Husband