Editorial Staff
The development and promotion of reggae music and Rastafari culture has been greatly influenced by Rita Marley, a renowned singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. The I Threes, the backup vocalists for Bob Marley and the Wailers, featured her in their lineup and she is the widow of the legendary Bob Marley. Besides recording her own albums, she has also collaborated with other artists, including Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer.
| Real Name/Full Name | Alfarita Constantia Marley |
| Date Of Birth | 25 July 1946 |
| Age | 78 years old |
| Birthplace | Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. |
| Nationality | Jamaican. |
| Religion | Christianity. |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Height | 5 feet 3 inch |
| Weight | 55 kg |
| Spouse | Bob Marley (m. 1966; d. 1981) |
| Children | Ziggy Marley, Cedella Marley, Stephen Marley, Serita Stewart, Sharon Marley, and Stephanie Marley. |
| Siblings | Donovan Anderson, and Wesley Anderson. |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, and Entrepreneur. |
| Net worth | $50 Million. |
Biography
On July 25th, 1946, Alpharita Constantia Rita Anderson was brought into this world by her parents, Leroy Anderson and Cynthia Jarrett. Santiago, Cuba was where she was born, but she later moved to Kingston, Jamaica. When she was just three months old, her parents, Leroy Anderson and Cynthia Jarrett, relocated to Kingston, Jamaica. She has a brother named Anderson and a brother named Wesley Anderson.
Greenwich Park Primary School and West Kingston Senior School were where she discovered her passion for music and singing. In addition to singing in the choir and learning about the Bible, she also attended Pentecostal Church.
Personal Life
When Bob Marley was a rising star in the Jamaican music scene in 1964, Rita Marley first encountered him. Her vocal group, the Soulettes, had him as their mentor and producer, and they quickly developed feelings for one another. In February 1966, they got married, and Bob left for the United States to visit his mother. Rita joined him subsequently, and they stayed in Delaware for a few months, with Bob working as a lab assistant and Rita working as a housekeeper.
After returning to Jamaica in 1967, they settled in a house in Kingston and started a family there. Rita and Bob had four children together: Cedella, Ziggy, Stephen, and Stephanie.
Sharon and Serita were the two children that she adopted from Bob’s previous relationships. Rita and Bob enjoyed a close and supportive relationship, but they faced some obstacles, including Bob’s infidelity, an attempted assassination in 1976, and a cancer diagnosis in 1977. Bob’s death at the age of 36 in 1981 was mourned by Rita.
Career
Rita Marley’s beginning in the industry was as a radio singer. At some point, she began collaborating with her cousin Constantine Walker and friend Marlene Gifford. During a performance for Bob Marley’s ‘Wailing Wailers’, they impressed him with their performance. Marley made arrangements for Rita’s group to audition with Clement Dodd, who was once the head of Studio One record label. The trio who became known as the ‘Soulettes’ were later mentored by Bob Marley. The trio’s releases feature numerous rocksteady songs, including ‘Time for Everything’, ‘Turn Turn Turn’, ‘One More Chance’, and ‘That Ain’t Right’.
Their role in Bob Marley and the Wailers involved providing harmony vocals until Marley’s demise in 1981. ‘No Woman, No Cry’, ‘Exodus’, and ‘One Love’ are among the songs they are known for. After Bob’s passing, Rita pursued her solo career by releasing several albums, such as Who Feels It Knows It, Harambe, We Must Carry On, and One Draw.
She promoted reggae music and Rastafarian culture by performing at concerts and festivals worldwide. The Grammy Award, Reggae Sunsplash Award, and the Jamaican Music Award were just a few of the awards and nominations she received for her music.
Her collaborations included artists like Sly and Robbie, Wyclef Jean, and Lauryn Hill. Rita Marley is a female reggae artist who has been highly influential and respected.
Filmography
- Rockers
- 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: Lioness of Reggae
- Discography
- Pied Piper
- Play Play
- The Best of Rita Marley: Caramelos
- Who Feels It Knows It
- Harambe
- We Must Carry On
- One Draw
- That’s the Way
- Beauty of God’s Plan
- Good Girls Cult
- Beginning
- Sunshine After Rain
Net Worth
It is estimated that Rita Marley has a net worth of $50 million, according to various sources. Through her music career, business ventures, and inheritance from Bob Marley, she has amassed her wealth. Bob Marley’s intellectual property rights and assets are managed and protected by the Bob Marley Foundation, Bob Marley Trust, and the Bob Marley Group of Companies, which she owns.
Social Media
| Social Media | Username | Followers/Subscribers |
| @officialritamarley | 275K | |
| @ritamarleyfoundation | 47K | |
| X(Twitter) | @nanaritamarley | 80K |
