Rita Marley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rita Marley
OJ OD
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Marley in 2011
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| Born |
Alfarita Constantia Anderson
25 July 1946 Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
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| Years active | 1966–2016 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 6, including Sharon, Cedella, Ziggy & Stephen |
| Relatives | Skip Marley (grandson) Jo Mersa Marley (grandson) Bambaata Marley (grandson) Donisha Prendergast (granddaughter) |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genres | Reggae |
| Instruments | Vocals |
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Alfarita Constantia "Rita" Marley (OJ OD, born July 25, 1946) is a talented singer, songwriter, and businesswoman. She was born in Cuba and grew up in Jamaica. Rita is best known as the wife of the famous reggae musician Bob Marley. She was also a key member of the I Threes, a vocal group that sang backup for Bob Marley and the Wailers.
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Early Life
Rita Marley was born in Santiago de Cuba. Her parents were Leroy Anderson and Cynthia "Beda" Jarrett. When she was just three months old, her family moved to Kingston, Jamaica.
In her book, No Woman No Cry: My Life with Bob Marley, Rita shared that her Aunt Viola raised her after her parents separated. She grew up in a part of Kingston called Trenchtown.
Music Career
Rita Marley started her music journey as a founding member of a group called the Soulettes. She sang alongside her cousin, Constantine Walker, and Marlene Gifford. The Soulettes recorded several songs, including "Time for Everything" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!".
After recording with Studio One, Rita met and was coached by Bob Marley. They got married in February 1966. Soon after, Bob moved to Delaware, USA, for a few months to work. During this time, Rita continued to sing, sometimes with her cousin Constantine Walker, who filled in for Bob in The Wailers.
Singing with The Wailers
When Bob returned to Jamaica in 1966, he, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh started their own music label called Wail 'n' Soul'm. They released several songs by Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Later, The Wailers met an American singer named Johnny Nash. In 1968, Johnny Nash's manager signed Bob, Rita, and Peter to new music contracts. Rita Marley sang on many of these recordings. She even sang the lead vocals on a song called "Play Play Play."
The I Threes
In 1974, Rita's husband, Bob Marley, formed a new harmony vocal group called the I Three. This group included Rita, Marcia Griffiths, and Judy Mowatt. They became the new backup singers for Bob Marley and the Wailers.
With the I Threes, Bob Marley & the Wailers recorded famous albums like Natty Dread in 1974, which included the hit song "No Woman No Cry." They also released Rastaman Vibration in 1976.
On December 3, 1976, just two days before a big concert called the Smile Jamaica Concert, Rita, Bob, and their manager were hurt in an attack at their home. Rita was shot in the head but bravely recovered. Despite their injuries, Bob and Rita still performed at the concert in Kingston.
Later Years and Achievements
After Bob Marley passed away in 1981, Rita continued to work in music. She bought Federal Records, a recording studio and pressing plant in Jamaica. This studio, now known as Tuff Gong, is one of the biggest in the Caribbean.
In 1986, Rita Marley turned Bob Marley's former home into the Bob Marley Museum. She is also the founder and leader of the Robert Marley Foundation, the Bob Marley Trust, and the Bob Marley Group of Companies.
In 2000, Rita started the Rita Marley Foundation. This organization helps fight poverty and hunger in developing countries, especially for older people and young people. It has given scholarships to music students in Ghana and helped many children in schools there. The foundation also hosts annual Africa Unite concerts to raise awareness about issues affecting Africa.
Rita Marley has received many honors for her contributions:
- In 1996, the Jamaican government gave her the Order of Distinction for her work in Jamaican music and culture.
- In 2010, she received the Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award.
- In 2013, she became an honorary citizen of Ghana, where she has lived for many years.
- She has also received honorary degrees from the University of the West Indies (2015) and the University of Fort Hare in South Africa (2017).
- In 2019, she received Jamaica's fourth-highest national honor, the Order of Jamaica (OJ).
- In 2024, she was honored by the International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA) and received the Winnie Mandela Humanitarian Award for her charity work.
Rita Marley has six children. Three of them were with Bob Marley, and three were from other relationships. Bob adopted Rita's two older children, giving them the Marley name. Her children are:
- Sharon Marley, born in 1964 (adopted by Bob Marley)
- Cedella Marley, born in 1967
- "Ziggy Marley" (David Nesta Marley), born in 1968
- Stephen Marley, born in 1972
- Stephanie Marley, born in 1974 (adopted by Bob Marley)
- Serita Stewart, born in 1985
Discography
- 1980: Rita Marley
- 1981: Who Feels It Knows It
- 1982: "Harambe (Working Together for Freedom)"
- 1988: We Must Carry On
- 1990: One Draw
- 2003: Sings Bob Marley...and Friends
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