Ever since Bob Marley‘s biopic “Bob Marley: One Love” was announced, his wife Rita Marley and her story have come into focus, almost five decades after his death.
The woman, who was frequently her husband’s muse and inspiration, continues to keep him alive through her philanthropic work, spreading the legacy of her late husband. Here’s everything you need to know about this wonderful woman, and how she has continued to honor her husband even after his death.
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Who Is Rita Marley?
Rita Marley was born Rita Constantia Anderson in Santiago but later moved to Jamaica. As a child, she was raised by her aunt as her parents divorced while she was young.
As a child, she often sang in church and joined The Soulettes, a singing group as a teenager.
It was here that she was coached by Bob Marley who was a part of another band called the Wailing Wailers. Her singing talents went on to give her massive success as a reggae artist, both as a solo artist and as a part of the group called I-Threes.
The trio also sang as backup singers for Bob Marley and went on to become one of the most influential female groups in Jamaica. Individually, Rita has produced a lot of albums, including the Grammy-nominated Must Carry On.
Apart from music, her interests also lie in philanthropy as she founded The Rita Marley Foundation, with an aim to “alleviate poverty and champion female empowerment in Jamaica and Ghana.”
The website of the foundation reads, “From the challenges of being a young, unwed mother to having the ‘door slammed in her face’ as a pioneering young black woman in business, Rita Marley has certainly faced her share of adversity. This did not stop her from forging her own path as an internationally acclaimed entertainer and businesswoman — all while raising an incredible family.”
Her philanthropy revolves around making education, healthcare and elderly care accessible for those who need it, along with providing entrepreneurial empowerment for women and children in Ghana and Jamaica.
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Bob Marley And Rita Marley
Rita and Bob’s love story is nothing short of a dreamy romance. While working as her coach, Bob shot his shoot by trying to win over Rita. Talking about how he tried to woo her, Rita said, “He was sending his letters through his friends, not by himself, through his friends, to say that he liked me and wanted to come over and talk.”
The pair were married for fifteen years and have three biological children, three of Rita’s children from previous marriage were later adopted by Bob. After his death, their children have continued his legacy in music by walking in his footsteps and exploring the world of music.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Rita said, “I never see myself as Bob Marley’s widow. I still feel I’m working with him. I feel I’m still his partner.”
True to his words, she has worked very hard to continue his musical empire and took over everything after his death. Rita converted his Kingston, Jamaica, house into the Tuff Gong Studios and the Bob Marley Museum in 1986, shortly after his death.
She also founded and is the chairperson of The Bob Marley Foundation. Its mission is to “preserve the spiritual, cultural, social and musical ideals that guided and inspired Bob Marley throughout his life.” As of now, she has co-produced Bob Marley: One Love, the upcoming film chronicling Marley’s life and career, with Cedella and her son Ziggy.
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