Marley, Rita (1946–)

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Marley, Rita (1946–)

Cubanborn reggae singer. Born Alpherita Constantia Anderson, July 25, 1946, in Santiago, Cuba; grew up in Kingston, Jamaica; m. Bob Marley (reggae singer), 1966 (died May 11, 1981); children: Stephen Marley, Cedella Marley (b. 1967), David "Ziggy" Marley (b. 1968) and Stephanie Marley (Bob Marley fathered 7 other children out of wedlock).

Performed as lead singer for a group called the Soulettes (1964); had several solo hits in Jamaica; with Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt, was part of trio, IThrees, that backed Bob Marley; moved to Ghana, where she set up a foundation to help children orphaned by AIDS; her own children comprise Ziggy Marlowe & the Melody Makers.

See also memoir No Woman No Cry (2004).

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Marley, Rita (1946–)

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