Rita Marley was a renowned singer, songwriter and entrepreneur who made significant contributions to the development and promotion of reggae music and Rastafari culture.
She is the widow of the legendary Bob Marley and was a backing singer for Bob Marley and the Wailers (I Threes).
She also recorded several solo albums and collaborated with other artists such as Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer.
Rita Marley was a courageous, compassionate and creative woman whose music and humanitarian work inspired many people around the world.
contour
- Full name: Alfarita Constantia Marley
- Stage name: Rita Marley
- Date of birth: July 25, 1946
- Age: 77
- Gender: Female
- Birthplace: Santiago de Cuba
- Nationality: Jamaican
- Occupation: singer, songwriter, entrepreneur
- Height: 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm)
- Parents: Leroy Anderson and Cynthia Jarrett
- Siblings: Donovan Anderson and Wesley Anderson
- Spouse: Bob Marley (m. 1966; died 1981)
- Children: Sharon Marley (adopted), Cedella Marley, Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Stephanie Marley (adopted), Serita Stewart (adopted)
- Marital status: Widowed
- Net worth: $50 million (estimated)
Early life and education
Rita Marley, who will be 77 years old in 2023, was born on July 25, 1946 in Santiago de Cuba.
When she was three months old, her parents, Leroy Anderson and Cynthia Jarrett, moved to Kingston, Jamaica. She has two brothers, Anderson and Wesley Anderson.
Soon after, her parents divorced and she was raised by her devout Christian aunt Viola. Rita grew up in Trenchtown, a poor and violent neighborhood in Kingston, where she witnessed the struggles and hardships of the people.
She attended Greenwich Park Primary School and West Kingston High School, where she developed an interest in music and singing.
She also attended a Pentecostal church, where she sang in the choir and studied the Bible.
Personal life
In 1964, Rita Marley met Bob Marley, who was a rising star in Jamaican music.
He was Bob’s mentor and producer for his vocal group, the Soulettes, and the two quickly fell in love. In February 1966, shortly before Bob traveled to the United States to visit his mother, they married.
Rita later joined him, and they lived in Delaware for several months, where Bob worked as a lab assistant and Rita as a housekeeper.
In 1967, they returned to Jamaica and settled in a house in Kingston, where they started a family. Rita and Bob had four children: Cedra, Ziggy, Stephen and Stephanie.
She also adopted two of Bob’s children from a previous relationship: Sharon and Serita. Rita and Bob had a close and supportive relationship, but they also faced challenges, such as Bob’s infidelity, an assassination attempt in 1976, and a cancer diagnosis in 1977.
Rita remained by Bob’s side until his death in 1981 at the age of 36. Rita never remarried and dedicated her life to protecting and promoting Bob’s legacy and helping those in need.
Profession
Rita Marley began her career as a radio singer and later formed a vocal group called the Soulettes with her cousin Constantine Walker and friend Marlene Gifford.
They recorded some songs for the record label Studio One and performed at various venues and events. They also collaborated with other singers such as the Wailers, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer.
In 1966, Rita joined Marley’s band, The Wailers, as a backing singer. She also recorded several songs as a solo artist, such as “The Pied Piper” and “Play, play.” In 1974, she joined I Threes along with Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt.
They provided backing vocals for Bob Marley and the Wailers until his death in 1981. Some of their famous songs include No Woman, No Crying, Exodus and “one Love”.
After Bob’s death, Rita continued her solo career and released several albums, including “Who Feels It Knows It”, “Harambe”, “We Must Carry On” and “One Draw”.
She has also performed at concerts and festivals around the world, promoting reggae music and Rastafari culture. Her music has received several awards and nominations, such as the Grammy Award, the Reggae Sunsplash Award, and the Jamaica Music Award.
She has also worked with artists such as Sly and Robbie, Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill. Rita Marley is one of the most influential and respected female reggae artists of all time.
net worth
According to multiple sources, Rita Marley’s net worth is estimated to be $50 million.
She gained her wealth through her music career, business ventures, and inheritance from Bob Marley.
She owns the Bob Marley Foundation, the Bob Marley Trust, and the Bob Marley Group of Companies, which manage and protect Bob’s intellectual property and assets.
dispute
Rita Marley has always faced controversy and criticism, particularly regarding her relationship with Bob Marley and her role in his legacy.
Some of Bob’s children from other women accused Rita of excluding them from Bob’s inheritance and benefits.
They also claimed that Rita had forged Bob’s will and lied about his wishes. Rita denied the allegations and insisted that everything she did was in Bob’s best interest and in accordance with his instructions.
She has also been involved in legal battles with other parties over the rights and royalties to Bob’s music and image. Rita has defended her actions and said she has always tried to respect and protect Bob’s legacy and vision.
Social Media
- Instagram account: @ritamarley
- Twitter: @nanaritamarley
Filmography
- Rita Marley has appeared in the following documentaries:
- Rock musician
- Bob Marley and the Wailers: The Bob Marley Story
- Caribbean Nights: The Bob Marley Story
- Time will tell
- Rebel Music: The Bob Marley Story
- Rita Marley: Reggae Lion
- Discography
- The Pied Piper
- Play Play
- Rita Marley (Rita Marley)
- He who feels it knows it
- Harambe
- We must keep moving forward
- One draw
- This is the method
- The Beauty of God’s Plan
- Good girl worship
- start
- Sunshine after rain
