Blast From The Past - Bob and Rita Marley and Their Many Children

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.

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