Bob Marley was a visionary, a cultural icon, and a man whose words often carried a deeper meaning. Long before he became the global king of reggae, he dabbled in palm reading as a child in St. Ann, Jamaica, predicting the futures of those around him. But in a chilling twist, he once seemed to predict his own.
At just 24 years old, while sitting in a bar with friends, Marley casually said, “I know I’m going to die at 36.” No one took it seriously at the time, but years later, those words became eerily true.
In 1981, at exactly 36 years old, Marley passed away from acral lentiginous melanoma—a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer. The disease appeared in an unusual spot: under his big toenail, an area no one would have suspected.
Though his life was tragically short, his legacy endures through his music, his children, and the woman who stood by his side—his wife, Rita Marley. After his death, Rita became the keeper of his empire, managing Tuff Gong Studios and his estate, ensuring that his influence remained as strong as ever.
Here’s a closer look at Bob and Rita Marley’s marriage, their life together, and the children they raised.
Who Is Bob Marley’s Wife, Rita Marley?
Rita is a reggae icon in her own right. Born Alfarita “Rita” Constantia Anderson in Santiago, Cuba, she later moved to Kingston, Jamaica, where she would carve out her own path in music.
Her career took off in the early 1970s as a member of The I-Threes, a groundbreaking female reggae trio alongside Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths. Together, they became the soulful backup vocalists for Bob Marley and the Wailers, adding depth and harmony to some of the most legendary reggae songs ever recorded. Their influence stretched beyond just Bob’s music, as The I-Threes became one of the most celebrated female groups in Jamaican history.
As a solo artist, Rita also found success, releasing multiple albums, including Who Feels It Knows It, Harambe, Spectacle For Tribuffalos, and the Grammy-nominated We Must Carry On.
Bob and Rita Marley Married in 1966
Rita’s passion for music started early, singing in church before joining The Soulettes as a teenager. It was in the 1960s, while recording with the group at Studio One, that she met Bob Marley. At the time, Bob was part of The Wailing Wailers and often took on the role of mentor, guiding The Soulettes through their recordings.
Their connection was immediate, but Bob was shy about expressing his feelings directly. Instead of approaching Rita himself, he relied on mutual friends to deliver his messages. “He was sending his letters through his friends, not by himself… to say that he liked me and wanted to come over and talk,” she later shared with Rolling Stone.
By February 1966, the two were married. But just months after their wedding, Bob left Jamaica for Wilmington, Delaware, taking a temporary job at the DuPont Hotel to help secure their future.
They Had Three Kids
Rita’s family grew beyond just her marriage to Bob. She is a mother of six, three of whom she had with Bob, while the others became part of the Marley household in different ways.
Before meeting Bob, Rita had a daughter, Sharon, born in 1964. When they married, Bob embraced Sharon as his own, legally adopting her. Together, the couple welcomed three more children—Cedella in 1967, David (better known as Ziggy) in 1968, and Stephen in 1972.
In 1974, Rita had another daughter, Stephanie, who Bob later adopted and raised as part of the family. Several years after Bob’s passing, Rita had her youngest daughter, Serita Stewart, in 1985.
Music was never just a career in the Marley household—it was a way of life. In 1979, Sharon, Cedella, Ziggy, and Stephen formed Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, a group that carried on the sound and spirit of their father’s reggae legacy.
Her Efforts to Preserve Bob’s Legacy and Her Philanthropic Work
After Marley’s passing in 1981, Rita made it her mission to preserve his legacy for future generations. In 1986, she converted his former home in Kingston, Jamaica, into the Bob Marley Museum, turning it into a cultural landmark visited by fans from around the world. The space also became the headquarters of Tuff Gong Studios, ensuring that Bob’s musical influence remained at the core of reggae.
She also established the Bob Marley Foundation, an organization focused on upholding the values Bob stood for—spirituality, social change, and cultural preservation. But her efforts didn’t stop there.
In 2014, she founded The Rita Marley Foundation, which works to combat poverty and uplift women in Jamaica and Ghana.
Where Does Rita Live Now?
At 78, Rita has stepped back from the spotlight, settling into a quieter life in Miami, where she remains close to her family. Surrounded by her grandchildren—who affectionately call her Nana Rita—she enjoys the warmth of family life while continuing to honor Bob’s legacy in her own way.
Even in retirement, Rita still feels deeply connected to her late husband’s work. “I still feel like I’m working with him. I feel I’m still his partner,” she once shared.
