Tiana’s father, James, died while serving in World War I.
James was a loving and hardworking man 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 heavily influenced by her father’s dream and his teachings. Unfortunately, James never got to see Tiana realize their shared dream, 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. The loss of her father is a poignant part of Tiana’s backstory, shaping her character and her determination to succeed.