Rita Marley (born Alpharita Constantia Anderson on July 25, 1946) is a Jamaican singer, musician, and philanthropist best known as the wife of Bob Marley and a member of the vocal group The I-Threes, which provided harmonies for Bob Marley & The Wailers.
Her Early Life & Music Career
Rita grew up in Kingston, Jamaica, and started her music career in the 1960s as part of The Soulettes, a girl group mentored by Coxsone Dodd, a pioneer of Jamaican music. She later joined The I-Threes, alongside Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt, forming the legendary backing group for Bob Marley.
Her Role in Bob Marley’s Life & Legacy
Rita married Bob Marley in 1966, and they remained together until his passing in 1981. She played a crucial role in his career, both as a backing vocalist and as someone who kept his legacy alive after his death. She helped raise many of Bob’s children, including some from his other relationships, and became an advocate for Rastafarianism and Pan-Africanism.
Philanthropy & Later Life
Rita Marley dedicated much of her life to charity, founding the Rita Marley Foundation, which supports education and healthcare in Jamaica and Africa. She also moved to Ghana in the 1990s, where she was granted honorary citizenship.
Today, Rita Marley is celebrated not only for her contributions to reggae music but also for her work in preserving Bob Marley’s legacy and promoting African heritage.
No Woman No Cry: My Life with Bob Marley
A revealing memoir of Jamaican reggae singer Bob Marley, from the woman who knew him better than anyone-his wife.
Rita Marley met Bob Marley in a recording studio in Trench Town, Jamaica when she was eighteen. A year later, they were married. The two of them set the world on fire. But life with Bob was not easy.
