Skip to content 
| Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... |
Bob Marley, one of the most iconic figures in the world of reggae music, left not only an indelible mark in the world of music but also a big, loving family. Bob Marley’s songs like “One Love” and “No Woman, No Cry” still inspire people around the world, but his legacy lives on through his children as well. You may be asking: How many children does Bob Marley have, including those with Rita Marley? Well, Bob Marley has 12 children—a mix of biological and adopted—each carrying his spirit in unique ways. Let’s dive into the lives of Bob Marley’s children and see how they’ve continued his legacy.
Table of Contents
A Brief Look at Bob Marley's Life
Born as Robert Nesta Marley, the musician and later a music icon and culture legend, Bob Marley came into this world on February 6, 1945, in the land of Nine Mile, Jamaica. Not only is he a musician, but a caring father as well, both to his children and extended family. Marley died in 1981 when he was 36 years old of melanoma, but the legacy lives on-not just in his music but his family as well.
How many kids does Bob Marley have? Bob Marley fathered 12 children with different women, including his wife, Rita Marley, thus underlining the fact of many children. Let’s find out who they are and what they’re up to today.
Bob Marley’s 12 Children: Their Lives and Legacies
1. Sharon Marley (Born November 23, 1964))
Sharon Marley is Bob Marley’s firstborn. Although she isn’t biologically Bob’s, he adopted her since she is the daughter of Rita Marley, his wife at the time. She is a talented artist, too. She was a part of the Grammy-winning band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers along with her siblings. Presently, she works as an organizer, activist, and curator of the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, Jamaica. Even back in 2024, she released her first EP, Steppah, solo.
2. Cedella Marley (Born August 23, 1967)
Cedella is Bob and Rita’s second child. She is indeed a multi-talented woman, being a musician, designer of clothes, and an author. Cedella was also among the members of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. At present, she manages Tuff Gong International, under which all the family-owned businesses are conducted, and designs clothes for her brand, Catch A Fire. She has written quite a few children’s books, such as Marley and the Family Band. She is also the CEO of the Bob Marley Foundation, so the legacy of her father is kept alive.
3. Ziggy Marley ( Born: October 17, 1968 )
Perhaps Ziggy Marley is Bob’s most well-known child. As is his father, Ziggy is an iconic musician and holds eight Grammys. He has created several other great albums that were commercially successful: Love Is a Religion and Fly Rasta. As an author, Ziggy advocates for the cause of education and health and compiled the photographic book called Bob Marley: Portrait of the Legend in memory of his dad.
4. Stephen Marley ( Born April 20 1972 )
Stephen Marley, known as “Ragga,” started music when he was seven years old. He is an eight-time Grammy winner and an extremely talented producer. He has made albums for his little brother Damian Marley. Stephen is also involved in philanthropic activities that include the Ghetto Youths Foundation that he founded with his brothers Damian and Julian Marley. Now, Stephen is touring around with Damian, taking his family’s music to the world.
5. Robbie Marley ( Born May 16, 1972 )
Robbie Marley is the youngest child of Bob and has a relatively quieter life compared to his brothers. Robbie is the son of Bob Marley and Pat Williams. He has a great passion for graphic arts. In 2011, he took an eye-opening journey with his brothers Ziggy and Rohan to Africa. The trip was documented in the film Marley Africa Roadtrip. Robbie also appeared in the documentary Marley, released in 2012, discussing how his father impacted his life.
6. Rohan Marley (Born May 19, 1972)
Rohan Marley is perhaps most famous for his entrepreneurial ventures, like his father Bob Marley and the Wailers. He founded the Marley Coffee brand and the Tuff Gong clothing line. A former football player, Rohan has five children with singer Lauryn Hill. Despite personal challenges, Rohan has always been vocal about growing as a father and a spiritual being. He is still involved in many charitable works of the Marley family, including 1Love, which is actually dedicated to Bob and Rita Marley.
7. Karen Marley (Februrary 26, 1973)
Among many of Bob Marley’s children with various women, Karen Marley is another fashion designer from Los Angeles and owner of an eco-friendly clothing line called By Karen Marley. Karen Marley avoids the limelight but still pays homage to her father by going about her creative work according to the values of Bob Marley and the Wailers.
8. Stephanie Marley (Born August 17, 1974)
Stephanie Marley is the youngest daughter of Bob and Rita. She has also been a model and is currently the managing director of the Rita Marley Foundation. Stephanie has always stressed the importance of giving and service that her parents inculcated in her. She also oversees part of the Bob Marley Museum.
9. Julian Marley (Born June 4, 1975)
Julian Marley is the son of Bob Marley and Lucy Pounder. He is a Rastafarian, a musician. He released several albums. Among the most notable ones are Lion In The Morning and Awake, which are highly influenced by Bob Marley and the Wailers. Julian believes in his father’s teachings and lives according to his own principles. He also works with his siblings on various music projects.
10. Ky-Mani Marley ( Born February 26, 1976 )
Ky-Mani Marley, born to Bob Marley and Anita Belnavis, is a Grammy-nominated musician and actor. His albums, like Many More Roads and Radio, showcase his unique style. Ky-Mani also honors his father’s legacy through his creative work, paralleling the efforts of his siblings from the Bob and Rita Marley family.
11. Damian Marley (Born July 21, 1978)
Damian Marley is famously known as “Jr. Gong,” as he is Bob Marley’s youngest son with Cindy Breakspeare. Damian has been a four-time Grammy winner and is regarded as the most successful reggae artist of his generation. The artist behind hits like Welcome to Jamrock and a host of other collaborating artists from different genres, the latest cover of George Harrison’s My Sweet Lord has been a testament to his versatility.
12. Makeda Jahnesta (Born May 30, 1981)
Makeda Jahnesta is Bob Marley’s youngest child born a few days after his death. Makeda kept a very private and focused life. Like her father, Bob and sister Rita, who are also Rastafarianists, Makeda engaged in the marijuana business.
Legacy of the Children of Bob Marley
Bob Marley’s legacy lives on in the 12 children he had. One of them was a carrier of the message of love, unity, and creativity in their unique ways, but Ziggy, Damian, and Stephen became Grammy Award-winning musicians while Rohan and Karen have made names for themselves in entrepreneurship in their respective fields.
Many of Bob Marley’s children also commit themselves to philanthropy. Several organizations, like the Bob Marley Foundation and the Ghetto Youths Foundation, are enhancing the educational, health, and environmental issues for the benefit of society. The Marley children continue working to make the world a better place by honoring their father’s dream.
Conclusion
The children of Bob Marley are more than just the offspring of a legendary musician. They are artists, entrepreneurs, and activists carrying forward the message that their father taught them: love and unity. So, how many kids does Bob Marley have? He has 12 children, and each of them plays a unique role in preserving his legacy. The Marley family makes sure that the music, businesses, and other good deeds help Bob Marley’s spirit shine brightly around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many kids does Bob Marley have?
Bob Marley had 12 children, including 11 biological children and one adopted daughter.
Who is the most famous child of Bob Marley?
Ziggy Marley and Damian Marley are probably the best known of the children of Bob, following successful music careers as part of the band Ziggy Marley.
Do any of Bob Marley's children sing?
Not all of them took up music. Many of Bob’s children, such as Ziggy, Stephen, and Julian, are musicians, while others, such as Karen and Rohan, took careers in fashion and entrepreneurship.
What is the Bob Marley Foundation?
The Bob Marley Foundation is a nonprofit organization that promotes education, health, and environmental sustainability. This was Bob Marley’s vision of a better world.
Want to learn more interesting stories? Check out our article on ‘What Happened to Barbara O’Neill?‘ and discover the surprising details about her life!
