Lauryn Hill’s 6 Kids: All About Her Sons and Daughters

Lauryn Hill’s children have been by her side throughout her career.

The singer, who first rose to fame with The Fugees, wrote and recorded her debut solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill while she was pregnant with her first son, Zion.

Having a child at the height of her career was such a point of contention that Lauryn wrote a song for the album “To Zion” about her decision to become a mother against the advice of many in the music industry.

“That song is about the revelation that my son was to me,” she said Rock’s Backpages 1999, trans Guard. “I’ve always made decisions for other people, making everyone else happy, and when I had him, it was really the first decision that wasn’t popular with me… And it was the best decision I could have ever made, because I’m happiest alone and the healthiest I’ve ever been.”

From the mid-90s to the 2010s, the “Doo Wop (That Thing)” singer was in an on-and-off relationship with Bob Marley’s son, Rohan Marley. During that time, they had five children: Zion, born in 1997; Selah, born in 1998; Joshua, born in 2001; Ivan, born in 2003; and Sara, born in 2008. Lauryn later had a son, Micah, in 2011.

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Before Lauryn and Rohan got hitched, he was married to Geraldine Khawly from 1993 to 1996. They had a daughter, Eden Marley, in 1994 and a son, Nico Marley, in 1995. Lauryn is close to both of them, often posting photos of Nico and Eden on Instagram and writes sweet birthday tributes to them.

Although Lauryn has been performing around the world since the 1990s, she has never released a follow-up to her eight-time platinum album. “Everybody’s asking me, ‘What’s your next move?’ and right now I’m just focused on being a good mother,” Lauryn said. Rock’s Backpages 1999 “If I could do it right, I’d be really, really happy. If I could be half the parent that my parents are to me, I would be very happy.”

To mark Mother’s Day 2021, Lauryn posted two throwback photo galleries of her kids on Instagram. “Motherhood is without a doubt one of the most challenging, yet rewarding responsibilities in the world,” she captioned the post. “To use this moment to acknowledge everyone in a loving fight.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Lauryn Hill’s six children.

Zion Marley, 26

Zion David Marley at the Marley Natural Launch Party on February 6, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.

Owen Kolasinski/BFA/Shutterstock

Lauryn and Rohan welcomed Zion Marley on August 3, 1997. When Lauryn became pregnant with him, she was experiencing explosive fame and success with The Fugees.

“Having Zion has helped me realize what’s really important,” Lauryn told Los Angeles Times 1998. “I made a lot of decisions for other people more than for myself – which women tend to do. A lot of people were against me having a child so early, and at that point in my career. After success The result, I was suddenly forced to veer off the road, because I was seven or eight months pregnant. It was one of the first things I did where I put my happiness first.”

On her 1998 multi-platinum album Miseducation Lauryn Hill, the singer included the song “To Zion” about the decision to have her first son. “I knew his life deserved a chance,” she wrote in the lyrics. “But everybody told me to be smart / ‘Watch your career’ they said / ‘Lauryn baby use your head’ / But instead I decided to use my heart / Now the joy of my world is in Zion.”

During a 2022 concert in Atlanta, Lauryn was performing a famous song when Zion suddenly appeared on stage. After a short break backstage, he reappeared with his children, who he shares with longtime girlfriend Tania.

“This is my grandson Zephaniah. This is my granddaughter Azaria. This is my son, Zion,” she told the crowd. Later in the show, John, Sara and Micah joined Lauryn on stage.

Selah Marley, 25

Selah Marley is seen arriving at the Carolina Herrera fashion show during New York Fashion Week on February 12, 2024.

Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images

Lauryn and Rohan expanded their family with the addition of daughter Selah Marley on November 12, 1998. Despite The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill having won five Grammys, the singer decided not to record another album. Instead, she took a big step back from her career to focus on her family, which she raised mostly in New Jersey with her mother.

“She loves [suburban life]being with my children, watching them grow and instilling in them our teachings of righteousness,” Rohan told PEOPLE in 2008. During her childhood, he added, Selah was involved in gymnastics.

Selah started modeling in 2011, when she was in seventh grade, and since then she has modeled for Chanel, Calvin Klein and Beyoncé’s Ivy Park. She is also a singer who has released music on YouTube.

“Music is my greatest passion,” she said W Magazine in 2017. “What I love about music, even apart from making my own music, I really fall in love with other people’s music.”

Selah went on to talk about the influence of her mother’s songs on her work. “I guess because my mom had a studio in our house and I used to go there, and she was always making music and always doing something creative on tours, doing something. So that definitely inspired me a lot,” added the young singer.

In an interview with Flaunt Digital In 2017, Selah reflected on her family’s legacy and the pressures of coming from a background of great talent. “My family instilled greatness in me,” she said. “My heritage has also ensured that I’m always doing my best because I have such big shoes to fill… I think both sides of my family have worked very hard to free the minds of people around the world, and that’s why they have such a devoted following.”

In 2020, Lauryn posted a photo gallery on Instagram to celebrate Selah’s birthday. “22 years ago today, my beautiful daughter Selah was born, a vision of loveliness… bright, alert and absolutely precious,” she wrote alongside the photos. “We’ve had a busy journey, but I celebrate your life, your growth and your full recovery.”

Joshua Marley, 22

Rohan Marley and son Joshua Marley speak during the Primary Wave x Island Records Presented By Mastercard: One Love Hotel – Marley Brunch on January 24, 2020 in West Hollywood, California.

Jerritt Clark/Getty

Lauryn and Rohan welcomed their son Joshua Marley on December 5, 2001. Following in the footsteps of his musical family, Joshua is also an artist, releasing songs on SoundCloud and major streaming platforms.

In 2019, Lauryn posted a photo collage on Instagram to celebrate Joshua’s birthday.

“A beautiful and unique soul, sometimes misunderstood, you arrived at 18! It hasn’t been without struggle or complexity, but we will continue to fight for a safe space and I look forward to seeing you more and more each day,” the caring mom wrote in her caption. “Please take masculinity seriously, approach it with care, responsibility, character, dignity, humility and make room for laughter Don’t be afraid to ask for love and support when you need it. I love you immensely!”

Joshua added to his own family with the birth of a son, Caleb, in 2021. He later fathered twins, based on a June 2023 Instagram post.

In the fall of 2023, Lauryn and Joshua performed together on her tour, and in December, the pair posted a joint Instagram post to promote his latest single, Praise Jah in the moonlight.

John Marley, 21

Rohan Marley and John Nesta Marley.

Rohan Marley X

Lauryn and Rohan expanded their family again with the birth of John Nesta Marley on June 28, 2003.

In 2008, Rohan told PEOPLE that John was focused on academics. Now their youngest son often posts outfit photos on his Instagram. In 2019, he joined his siblings to model for the Rag & Bone campaign.

The following year, Lauryn posted John’s birthday photo collage on Instagram. “I often tell the story of how your smile was a reflection of love and a source of clarity for me during challenging days,” she wrote in the caption. “May you always connect with that source of love and don’t let fear or vanity stop you from being the greatest. I love you always!!”

Sarah Marley, 16

Sara Marley at a screening of Paramount’s “Bob Marley: One Love” in New York City on February 12, 2024.

Roy Rochlin/Getty

Lauryn and Rohan welcomed Sara Marley on January 2, 2008. For a long time after her birth, the couple had difficulty deciding on the right name for Sara. “We want a name that means ‘Glory of the Ark’; for now we’re calling her Baby Marley,” Rohan told PEOPLE in 2008 when she was 7 months old.

In January 2024, Sara celebrated her 16th birthday with a 1920s-themed party at Cipriani in New York.

After the party, Rohan posted photos from the event on Instagram. “My princess ‘we have so many beautiful memories at this time…” he captioned the post. “I love you @whoissaramarley. Thank you to Your beautiful Mother @mslaurynhill, no one does it better.”

For the event, Sara wore two couture dresses by designer Galija Lahav, but it’s not the first time she’s gone glamorous. Since she opened her Instagram account in 2021, she often posts photos of herself in chic looks.

According to one of her Instagram highlights, Sara is an athlete, running various races and playing basketball in high school.

Micah Hill, 12

Micah Hill and Derrick Rose.

Lauryn Hill on Instagram

Lauryn gave birth to a son, Micah Hill, on July 23, 2011. Just a week after giving birth for the sixth time, the singer held a concert at the Los Angeles Rising Festival.

After Micah’s birth, Lauryn released a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter) clarifying that Rohan was not the father of her newborn.

“Contrary to numerous reports, Mr. Marley did not leave me while I was pregnant with my child,” Lauryn wrote in the post, which has since been deleted. We have had long periods of separation over the years, but our five children continue to be a joy to both of us.”

Micah seems to be interested in basketball — to celebrate his birthday in July 2022, NBA player Derrick Rose took Micah and his friends to a basketball-themed party.

Lauryn took to Instagram to pay tribute to her youngest son in honor of his special day. “Happy Happy 11th birthday to my beloved and youngest son Micah!!” she wrote in the description. “May your huge heart and sense of kindness always be preserved. May you continue to pursue the things you love with great passion and inspiration… Love always, Mom.”

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Source: HIS Education