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 is a famous Cuban-Jamaican reggae singer. She was married to the legendary reggae musician Bob Marley. Rita was also a key member of the vocal group called the I Threes. This group sang backup for Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Rita Marley was born on July 25, 1946, in Santiago de Cuba. Her parents were Leroy Anderson and Cynthia 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. This was after her parents separated. She grew up in an area of Kingston called Trenchtown.
Starting Her Music Career
Rita was one of the first members of a group called the Soulettes. Her cousin Constantine Walker and Marlene Gifford were also in the group. The Soulettes recorded several songs, including "Time for Everything" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!".
Rita also sang a duet with Bunny Wailer called "Bless You". This song was released years later on an album.
Joining The Wailers
After recording music for Studio One, Rita received coaching from Bob Marley. She married Bob in February 1966. Soon after, Bob moved to Wilmington, Delaware, for a few months to work.
During this time, Rita's cousin, Constantine "Vision" Walker, filled in for Bob in The Wailers. Rita Marley also sang harmonies with the group.
The Wailers' Independent Label
When Bob returned to Jamaica in late 1966, he, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh started their own music label. It was called Wail 'n' Soul'm. They released several songs by Bob Marley and the Wailers.
In 1968, Bunny Wailer was unable to perform with the group for a few months. Rita then joined The Wailers, taking his place. During this time, The Wailers met American singer Johnny Nash.
Johnny Nash's manager, Danny Sims, signed Tosh, Rita, and Bob Marley to contracts. This gave them a chance to record in Kingston for the JAD label.
Recording with The Wailers
The 1968 recording sessions included Tosh and the Marleys. Rita Marley sang on many rocksteady and soul songs. Most of these songs were not released right away.
New versions of "Bend Down Low" and "Mellow Mood" were released as a single in the U.S. The song was credited to "Bob, Rita and Peter."
The original recordings from 1968 were later released on the Freedom Time album in 2003. One song, "Play Play Play," features Rita Marley singing the main part. Bob and Peter Marley sang harmonies. Another song sung by Rita, "Lonely Girl," and a duet with Bob, "Milk Shake and Potato Chips," were released in 2003.
The I Threes and International Fame
After their second child, Ziggy Marley, was born in 1968, Bob went back to Delaware in 1969. He worked at a Chrysler factory. Rita did not record with Bob again until 1974.
In 1974, Bob formed the I Three harmony vocal group. This group included Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt. They replaced Peter and Bunny, who had left the band in 1973.
With the I Three, Bob Marley & the Wailers recorded the album Natty Dread in 1974. They became famous worldwide with the song "No Woman No Cry." Their 1976 album, Rastaman Vibration, featured the song "Roots, Rock, Reggae."
A Difficult Time
On December 3, 1976, just two days before the Smile Jamaica Concert, Rita, Bob, and their manager Don Taylor were injured. This happened during an attack at the Marley home. Rita was shot in the head but survived. Don Taylor was seriously injured in the leg. Bob was also injured in his chest and arm. Despite their injuries, Bob still performed at the major concert in Kingston, with Rita by his side.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1981, Rita Marley bought Federal Records recording studio. This was the first record pressing plant in Jamaica. The company then moved to a new location.
Today, Tuff Gong studio is one of the largest studios in the Caribbean. It has a huge space for live recordings. Artists, musicians, and producers from all over the world visit the studio.
In 1986, Rita Marley decided to turn Bob Marley's home into the Bob Marley Museum. She is the founder and leader of the Robert Marley Foundation. She also leads the Bob Marley Trust and the Bob Marley Group of Companies.
Helping Others Through Her Foundation
In 2000, Rita started the Rita Marley Foundation. This organization helps fight poverty and hunger in developing countries. It focuses on helping older people and young people.
The foundation has given many scholarships to music students in Ghana. It also hosts the yearly Africa Unite concerts. These concerts help spread awareness about issues affecting Africa. They also work to find lasting solutions. Rita has adopted 35 children in Ethiopia. She has also helped over 200 children at the Konkonuru Methodist School in Ghana.
Awards and Recognition
Rita Marley has received many awards for her work.
- In 1996, the Jamaican government gave her the Order of Distinction. This was for her contributions to Jamaican music and culture.
- In 2010, she received the Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award.
- On August 3, 2013, she became an honorary citizen of Ghana. She had lived there for many years.
- In November 2015, the University of the West Indies gave her an honorary Doctor of Letters degree.
- In 2017, she received her second honorary Doctorate degree from University of Fort Hare in South Africa.
- In September 2016, Marley had a stroke. She has kept a low public profile since then. However, she made a public appearance on March 9, 2019. She joined her fellow I Three members, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt, to accept the Iconic Award. This award was given by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association.
- In 2019, the Jamaican Government honored Marley with its fourth-highest national honor, the Order of Jamaica (OJ).
- In October 2022, Rita received the Jamaican Consulate General's Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also honored by the South Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center.
- On March 22, 2024, she was honored by the International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA). This was for her extensive charity work.
- On July 1, 2024, Rita received the Winnie Mandela Humanitarian Award. This happened during the International Reggae Day celebrations in Florida.
Tuff Gong Records celebrates Rita’s birthday every year with a concert. The 2025 concert, called Rhythms of Rita, was held on July 25, 2025.
Rita has six children. Three are with Bob, and three are from other relationships. Bob adopted Rita's two other children as his own. They all have the Marley name. Rita's children are:
- Sharon Marley, born November 23, 1964 (adopted by Bob)
- Cedella Marley, born August 23, 1967
- "Ziggy Marley" (David Nesta Marley), born October 17, 1968
- Stephen Marley, born April 20, 1972
- Stephanie Marley, born August 17, 1974 (adopted by Bob)
- Serita Stewart, born August 11, 1985 (born after Bob's passing)
Discography
- 1966: Pied Piper, Rio
- 1967: "Pied Piper" (single, on Club Ska '67), Mango
- 1980: Rita Marley – Trident
- 1981: Who Feels It Knows It, Shanachie Records
- 1982: "Harambe (Working Together for Freedom)", Shanachie Records
- 1986: "Beginning", I-Three, EMI / TUFF GONG
- 1988: We Must Carry On, Shanachie Records
- 1990: Beauty of God's, Shanachie Records
- 1990: Good Girls Culture, Shanachie Records
- 1990: One Draw, Shanachie Records
- 2003: Sings Bob Marley...and Friends, Shanachie Records
- 2004: Play Play, Universal Music
- 2005: Sunshine After Rain
- 2006: Gifted Fourteen Carnation
Appearances on Other Albums
- 1966: The Soulettes – Time for Everything (Jamaica All Stars compilation album), Studio One
- 1968: The Wailers – Pay Play Play and Rhapsody (released on the Freedom Time album in 2003), JAD
- 1983: John Denver – "World Game" (with The Wailers and Marcia Griffiths), It's About Time, RCA
- 1996: Khaled – "Ouelli El Darek" (with the I Three), Sahra, Wrasse Records
Collaborations with Other Artists
- 1995: Rita Marley / Ignacio Scola / Gregorio Paniagua: Spectacles for tribuffalos, Tabata Musica y Letra
- 2006: Fergie / Rita Marley & The I-3's: "Mary Jane Shoes" – The Dutchess
Books About Rita Marley
- No Woman, No Cry: My Life with Bob Marley (2004) by Rita Marley and Hettie Jones
- Harambe for the Holidays: Vibrant Holiday Cooking with Rita Marley (2014) by Cedella Marley and Rita Marley
See also
In Spanish: Rita Marley para niños
