Who Is Bob Marley's Wife? All About Rita Marley

Bob Marley’s wife, Rita Marley, worked hard to honor his legacy.

The couple met in Jamaica in the mid-1960s when they were both aspiring young musicians. They got married in 1966, had three children and toured the world together, and Rita was one of Bob’s backing singers.

After Bob’s death in 1981 at the age of 36, Rita took over his empire, overseeing the management of his record label Tuff Gong Studios and his estate. She received frequent criticism in the early days of her leadership and faced many legal challenges over her control of Bob’s estate.

“[Rita] had to grow a very broad back in order to take on responsibilities for which she was not ready. And that made a lot of people angry when he passed, because they thought they they were second in command,” the couple’s daughter Cedella said of her mother in a 2021 profile of Rita. Rolling stone.

Despite the obstacles, Rita preserved and, under her management, the Marley empire expanded into a number of different business ventures.

“I never see myself as Bob Marley’s widow,” Rita once said in 2000, trans Rolling stone. “I still feel like I’m working with him. I feel like I’m still his partner.”

Now 77 years old, Rita retired and left the management to Cedella. She currently lives in Miami near her family, surrounded by grandchildren who call her Nana Rita.

Her latest project included joining Cedella and son Ziggy as producers on a biopic about Marley’s life and career, Bob Marley: One Lovewhich premiered in February 2024.

So who is Bob Marley’s wife? Here’s everything you need to know about Rita Marley.

She was born in Cuba

RJ Capak/WireImage

Alfarita “Rita” Constantia Anderson was born in Santiago, Cuba, but soon moved to Kingston, Jamaica.

Her parents separated when she was very young and she was mainly raised by her aunt.

He met his wife in a recording studio

Theo Wargo/WireImage

Growing up, Rita often sang in church, and as a teenager she joined the vocal group The Soulettes. While performing with The Soulettes, Rita was often coached by Bob Marley, who was a member of another group called the Wailing Wailers.

The two were immediately attracted to each other. “He sent his letters through his friends, not alone, through his friends, to say that he liked me and wanted to come and talk,” said Rita Rolling stone.

She is a musical legend in her own right

Ebet Roberts/Redferns

Rita has achieved huge success as a reggae artist, both with her group the I-Threes and as a solo artist. The I-Threes consisted of her, Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths and were formed in the early 70s. The trio provided backing vocals for Bob and his band on stage and on tour and are considered one of the most influential female groups in Jamaican music history.

She has produced several solo albums herself, incl Those who feel it know, Harambe, Spectacle for Tribuffalos and nominated for a Grammy We must continue. Her latest solo album, The sun after the rain, features songs produced by her son Stephen Marley.

He has six children

Michel Delsol/Getty

Rita has a total of six children, three of whom she shared with Bob. Her older daughter, Sharon Marley, from a previous relationship, was born in 1964 and was adopted by Bob after the wedding. Rita and Bob then had a daughter Cedella, a son David (also known as Ziggy) and a son Stephen, born in 1967, 1978 and 1972. Rita gave birth to Stephanie Marley in 1974 and was adopted by Bob. Serita Stewart was born in 1985, after Bob’s death.

Sharon, Cedella, Ziggy and Stephen followed in their parents’ footsteps and founded the reggae group Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers in 1979.

Rita also has several grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She is a philanthropist

Anwar Hussein/WireImage

In 2014, Rita founded The Rita Marley Foundation whose goal is to “alleviate poverty and advocate for the empowerment of women in Jamaica and Ghana.”

According to the organization’s website, the foundation is based on experiences Rita has had in her own life. “From the challenges of being a young, unwed mother to having ‘doors slammed in her face’ as a pioneering young black woman in business, Rita Marley has certainly faced her share of adversity,” the foundation’s website says. “That didn’t stop her from forging her own path as an internationally acclaimed entertainer and businesswoman — all while raising an incredible family.”

The organization provides education, health care, elder care and entrepreneurial empowerment for women and children in Ghana and Jamaica.

She guards her husband’s legacy

LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP/Getty

Shortly after Bob died of a rare form of skin cancer in 1981, Rita began working to preserve her husband’s legacy for the world. In 1986, Rita turned her home in Kingston, Jamaica into the Bob Marley Museum and home of Tuff Gong Studios.

Rita is also the founder and president of the Bob Marley Foundation whose goal is “to preserve the spiritual, cultural, social and musical ideals that guided and inspired Bob Marley throughout his life.”

According to Rolling stoneshe also expanded the Marley family empire into several merchandise lines, a record store, and even a line of “functional mushrooms.”

Ziggy calls Rita the “backbone” of their family

1999 Ziggy Marley and Rita Marley during the TNT Bob Marley All Star Tribute at James Bond Beach in Oracabeca Beach, Jamaica, Jamaica.

Kevin Mazur/Wireimage

While speaking with PEOPLE in February 2024, Ziggy described his mom as “the backbone of everything.”

“Without her, none of this would have happened. My father’s career would not be what it is,” he said. “They really complement each other that way. You need someone like that by your side. You can’t do it alone. You could never do it alone.”

A few months later, Ziggy called Rita “my strength” on Instagram.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education