Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician Bob Marley was widely known for his distinctive vocal and songwriting style. He was a Rastafarian icon and a global symbol of Jamaican music and culture and identity. Several people especially Rastafarians looked up to him and saw him as a father figure. Bob has several children of his own.
How Many Children Does Bob Marley Have?
Bob Marley born Robert Nesta Marley was blessed with 11 children (it has been rumored that Bob fathered more than the eleven children). He was married to his wife Alfarita Constantia Anderson also known as Rita Marley. Rita is a Cuban-born Jamaican singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. Bob and Rita got married on 10 February 1966.
They married in a beautiful ceremony that took place in Kingston, Jamaica. Some of Bob’s children were born out of wedlock and outside of Bob’s marriage to his wife Rita Marley. Some are Rita’s children who were adopted by Bob. Bob’s children are Sharon Marley, Cedella Marley, Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Robert “Robbie” Marley, Rohan Marley, Karen Marley, Stephanie Marley, Julian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, and Damian Marley.
Most of Bob’s children followed in his footsteps. He is said to be the father of Makeda Jahnesta. Makeda’s mother is Yvette Crichton.
Sharon Marley
Sharon Marley was born Sharon Marley Pendergast on 23 November 1964, in Kingston, Jamaica. She is the biological daughter of Rita Marley but was adopted by Bob Marley after Bob married Rita. She is a singer, dancer, and curator. She is known for her work with the group Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers along with her siblings.
The group disbanded in 2002. As a solo artist, she released her first single “Just One More Morning”, in August 2021 and released her second single “Butterflies in the Sky”, in 2022. She is the curator of the Bob Marley Museum. She is managing director of the Total Care Learning Centre (TCLC) on Lady Musgrave Road in Kingston, Jamaica.
Cedella Marley
Cedella Marley Minto was born on 23 August 1967, in Kingston, Jamaica. She is the daughter of Bob Marley and Rita Marley. She was part of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers alongside her siblings. She is the CEO of her father’s recording label, Tuff Gong International. She helps run her family’s charitable organization, 1Love.
ALSO, READ: Stephanie Marley: Everything You Need To Know About Bob Marley’s Daughter
Cedella dropped the song “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”, in 2010. It featured on the compilation album, The Disney Reggae Club. She has several clothing lines which are, “Catch a Fire”, “High Tide”, “Nice Time Deconstructed”, and “Nice Time Kids”. She released her book One Love, in 2011.
Ziggy Marley
Ziggy Marley was born David Nesta Marley on 17 October 1968, in Kingston, Jamaica to Bob Marley and Rita Marley. He is a reggae musician, singer-songwriter, music producer, and voice actor. He led the family band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. After the group disbanded in 2002, Ziggy focused on his solo career.
Ziggy Marley has released several solo studio albums on his own record company, Tuff Gong Worldwide. As a voice actor, he is known for his work in 3rd & Bird, Wonder Pets!, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. He founded the non-profit charity foundation The Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment (U.R.G.E.).
Stephen Marley
Stephen Robert Nesta Marley was born on April 20, 1972, in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. Bob Marley and Rita Marley are his parents. He is a musician and record producer. He is a recipient of eight Grammy awards: three as a solo artist, two as a producer of younger brother Damian Marley’s Halfway Tree and Welcome to Jamrock albums, and three as a member of Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers.
ALSO, READ: Bob Marley’s Parents: Norval Sinclair Marley And Cedella Booker
Most recently, in 2023, Stephen Marley released the single “Old Soul”. In August 2023, he announced his fourth studio album, also titled Old Soul, released in September 2023. “Me did haffi change up the years and kinda place my life in it,” Stephen says, “but really Omi give me the first inspiration.”
Robert Marley
Robert “Robbie” Marley was born on 16 May 1972, to Bob Marley and Pat Williams. Robbie has kept his life away from the spotlight. He prefers a private life and much is unknown about his life. He reportedly has interest in graphic arts and his family’s heritage.
Rohan Marley
Son of Bob Marley and Janet Hunt, Rohan Anthony Marley was born on 19 May 1972, in Kingston, Jamaica. He is an entrepreneur and ex-college football player. He serves as the Chairman of Marley Coffee and Chief Passion Officer of Gisges. He helps run his family’s charitable organization, 1Love, and the Tuff Gong Clothing Company. He appeared in the documentary film Motherland.
Karen Marley
Karen Marley was born on 26 February 1973, to Bob Marley and Janet Bowen. She has lived her life away from publicity. She is said to be a fashion designer. She has her own label known as “By Karen Marley”.
Stephanie Marley
Stephanie Marley was born on 17 August 1974. She is a product of an extramarital affair Rita had with Owen “Ital Tacky” Stewart, a former Jamaican soccer player. Stephanie was however adopted by Bob. She worked at B’Unik Modeling Talent Agency.
Julian Marley
Julian Ricardo Marley was born on 4 June 1975, in London, England. He is the son of Bob Marley and Lucy Pounder. He is a reggae musician, songwriter, producer, and humanitarian. His debut album, Lion in the Morning was released in 1996. The album features popular musicians such as Sharon Marley, Stephen Marley, Cedella Marley, Owen “Dreddie” Reid, Earl Chinna Smith, and Tyron Downie.
As a humanitarian, Julian Marley builds charitable missions and contributes to the Ghetto Youths Foundation in the spirit of his father. Julian is a devout Rastafarian. He uses his music to inspire his life and spirituality.
Ky-Mani Marley
Ky-Mani Marley was born on 26 February 1976, in Falmouth, Trelawny, Jamaica to Bob Marley and Jamaican table tennis champion Anita Belnavis. He is a singer, songwriter, and musician. He earned a Grammy nomination for his album Many More Roads, in 2001. He is known for his appearances in the films Shottas, One Love, Haven, Eenie Meenie Miney Moe, A Rose Between Thorns, and King of the Dancehall.
ALSO, READ: Norval Sinclair Marley: How Did Bob Marley’s Father Die?
Damian Marley
Damian Robert Nesta “Jr. Gong” Marley was born on 21 July 1978, in Kingston, Jamaica. His father is Bob Marley and his mother is Cindy Breakspeare, a Canadian-Jamaican jazz singer, musician, and beauty queen. Damian is a DJ, singer, lyricist, and rapper. His nickname “Junior Gong” is derived from his father’s nickname “Tuff Gong”.
Jr. Gong has described his music as “dancehall and reggae. I’ve noticed … people trying to separate the two of them” adding, “It’s Jamaican culture in general. I don’t try to classify or separate.” He is a four-time Grammy Award winner.
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