Bob Marley had a total of 11 children with seven different mums before he tragically passed away in 1981 at the age of 36 - here is everything you need to know about his kids
Bob Marley, who fathered eleven children before his untimely death, has left behind a lineage of fascinating lives and a huge fortune.
In honour of what would have been Bob Marley's 79th birthday, we're exploring where his offspring are now. The reggae legend passed away from cancer at the tender age of 36 in 1981, leaving an indelible legacy in music and within his large family.
The Jamaican singer officially recognised 11 children from seven different mothers, although his youngest daughter, born posthumously, is not formally acknowledged by his other children.
In order of age, Bob's children include: Sharon Marley Prendergast, Cedella Marley, David 'Ziggy' Marley, Stephen Marley, Robbie Marley, Rohan Marley, Karen Marley, Stephanie Marley, Julian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Damian Marley, and Makeda Jahnesta Marley. Here are some intriguing snippets from their lives...
Sharon Marley Prendergast
Sharon Marley Prendergast, Bob's eldest child, was born in 1964. She is the daughter of his wife Rita and was adopted by the musician when they married in 1996. Sharon was part of the reggae band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, which she joined alongside three of her younger siblings at Bob's behest after his passing.
The group achieved significant success in the genre and bagged three Grammy Awards.
David 'Ziggy' Marley
David 'Ziggy' Marley, the son of Bob and Rita, was born in 1968. He was the frontman of the Marley siblings' reggae band and also enjoyed a successful solo career. He has contributed to film soundtracks, including 50 First Dates and Shark's Tale, where he lent his voice to the character of Bernie the Jamaican jellyfish.
In recent years, Ziggy has turned his hand to writing children's books and released a single titled The Lucky One, featuring his brother Stephen.
Stephen Marley
Stephen Marley, born in 1972, was another member of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. His offspring are also musically gifted, but he has experienced significant loss. Stephen's son, musician Jo Mersa Marley, tragically died at the age of 31 on Dec 26, 2022.
According to South Florida radio station WZPP, he succumbed to an asthma attack in his car, leaving behind a wife and young daughter.
Karen Marley
Karen Marley, born in 1973, chose a different path from her father. She developed a passion for fashion and established her own label, By Karen Marley. Her "conscious" clothing line is produced in Los Angeles, California, using materials sourced globally.
She also has experience as an interior designer and once collaborated with her older sister Cedella's clothing company.
Ky-Mani Marley
Ky-Mani Marley, born in 1976, is the son of Bob and Jamaican table tennis champion Anita Belnavis. He has forged a successful music career and received a Grammy nomination for his album Many More Roads in 2001.
In November 2022, Ky-Mani found himself charged with driving on a suspended license for the second time in Florida. The 48-year-old star was stopped by the Pembroke Pines Police Department on November 3, as per court records obtained by DancehallMag.
Ky-Mani was first arrested and charged with a second-degree misdemeanor in 2009. He was slapped with a $308 (£255) fine for the offence in April 2014, according to court documents.
A second offense is considered a first-degree misdemeanor and could result in up to one year in prison or a fine of up to US$1,000 (£829).
Makeda Jahnesta Marley
Makeda Jahnesta Marley, the youngest daughter of the reggae icon and Yvette Chrichton, was born 19 days after his death in May 1981. On her LinkedIn profile, Makeda expresses her passion for creating opportunities for children and artists, having opened LivLuV BandBs, cafes, and artistic centres. However, she also pleaded guilty to cultivating marijuana in her Pennsylvania home in 2010.
She confessed to housing nearly a dozen large marijuana plants within her property. Makeda was initially arrested in 2008 when police responded to a domestic dispute call and discovered her removing plants from the basement.
Fortunately, she avoided jail time and was instead given seven years on probation.
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