Rita Marley

Alfarita Constantia “Rita” Marley (born 25 July 1946) is a Jamaican reggae singer and the widow of Bob Marley. Raised in Trenchtown, Kingston, she grew up surrounded by music and became a founding member of The Soulettes, an early vocal group that helped shape Jamaica’s rocksteady sound. Rita later married Bob Marley in 1966 and played a central role in his musical journey, both as a partner and performer, eventually becoming one of the most influential women in reggae history. Rita Marley gained international fame as a member of The I Threes, alongside Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt, serving as the backing vocalists for Bob Marley and the Wailers. The group contributed to landmark albums such as Natty Dread and Rastaman Vibration, helping bring reggae to a global audience. Despite surviving a violent attack on the Marley home in 1976, Rita continued performing and supporting Bob’s career until his death in 1981, after which she focused on preserving his legacy. In later years, Rita Marley became a major cultural and humanitarian figure. She established the Bob Marley Museum, managed Tuff Gong Studios, and founded several charitable organizations, including the Rita Marley Foundation, which supports education, poverty alleviation, and youth development in Africa and the Caribbean. Honored with numerous national and international awards, including the Order of Jamaica and multiple lifetime achievement honors, Rita Marley remains a symbol of reggae heritage, resilience, and global philanthropy.