Bob and Rita Marley -Time Tunnel

Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley died on May 11, 1981, of cancer. He is widely credited as the pioneer for Reggae music. Through his reggae music, Bob Marley is also credited with preaching one love and peace. He also lived it in his personal love life, especially after he became more widely famous in the late sixties and early seventies.


Bob Marley married Alpharita Constantia Anderson, better known as Rita Marley on February 10, 1966. The couple had three children together, and Bob also adopted Rita’s three children from other relationships, both before and after they were married. So Rita has six children, while Bob Marley had thirteen including his adopted children.

Bob Marley and his family - 1972

Some of Bob Marley's Children

Sharon, 1964 - biological daughter of Rita Marley, was adopted by Bob Marley when the two married.
Cedella, 1967 - to Rita
David "Ziggy", 1968 - to Rita
Stephen, 1972 - to Rita
Robert "Robbie", 1972 - to Pat Williams
Rohan, 1972 - to Janet Hunt
Karen, 1973 - to Janet Bowen
Stephanie, 1974 - daughter of Rita and a man with whom Rita had an affair, was also adopted by Bob Marley
Julian, 1975 - to Lucy Pounder
Ky-Mani, 1976 - to Anita Belnavis
Damian, 1978 - to Cindy Breakspeare

Rita Marley with most of the children at Bob Marley's Funeral

Interesting enough, most of the children are into music and up to four or five of them have worked together in music groups and on other projects. Together, they also manage the estate with Rita Marley without much problems.
The Marley family portrait from the 1970s.

Sharon Marley, born November 23, 1964. She is the biological daughter of Rita Marley, and was adopted by Bob Marley when the two married.

Cedella Marley, born August 23, 1967, is Bob and Rita’s oldest child together and also Bob Marley’s oldest biological child. She was part of the group Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers and is currently the CEO of Tuff Gong International.

David “Ziggy” Marley, born October 17, 1968, is Bob’s oldest son and the front man of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. Ziggy is also a Grammy award winner.

Stephen Marley, born April 20, 1972, is Bob and Rita’s last child together and also a member of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers.

Robbie Marley, born May 16, 1972, was Bob’s first of many children not mothered by Rita.

Rohan Marley, born May 19, 1972 to Janet Hunt. Rohan is rumored to be married to Hip Hop icon Lauryn Hill, who he have five children with.

Karen Marley, born 1973 in England to Janet Bowen.

Stephanie Marley, born in 1974. She is Rita’s child that is fathered by a man name Ital. However, Bob adapted her as his own.

Julian Marley, born June 4, 1975 in England to Lucy Pounder. He is a singer, songwriter and producer with three albums under his belt.

Ky-Mani Marley, February 26, 1976 to Anita Belnavis, a Caribbean table tennis champion. He is an actor/musician, well known for his role in the film Shottas.

Damian Marley, born July 21, to 1976 Miss World Cindy Breakspeare. Damian, who is one of the most successful dancehall artistes of all time, is nicknamed “Jr. Gong” after his father. He have three Grammys under his belt.

Makeda Jahnesta Marley, born May 30, 1981 in Miami, to Yvette Crichton. She is Bob’s youngest child.

Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley died on May 11, 1981, of cancer. He is widely credited as the pioneer for Reggae music.