Tiana’s dad, James, died while serving in World War I.
James was a loving father and husband who had a significant impact on Tiana’s life. He instilled in her the importance of hard work and the value of a dream. In Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog,” Tiana’s motivation to open her own restaurant is a direct result of her father’s influence and their shared dream. Unfortunately, James never got to see this dream realized, as he passed away while Tiana was still young. His death is not shown on-screen but is implied to have happened during his military service, as the story is set in New Orleans in the 1920s, shortly after the end of World War I. Tiana keeps her father’s memory alive through her determination to achieve their dream, and his legacy plays a crucial role in her journey throughout the film.