Rita Marley Biography

Fast Facts

• Raised in the Kingston, Jamaica, ghetto known as Trench Town by her aunt after her parents separated when she was 5
• Won the "Lannaman's Children's Hour" talent show as a child with her rendition of Mario Lanza's "The Lord's Prayer
• " Wanted to become a nurse, but had to drop out of nursing school due to an unplanned pregnancy
• Became friendly with Bob Marley after her group, the Soulettes, was signed to the same label as the Wailers, Studio One
• The friendship eventually bloomed into love and they married in 1966
• Dealt with his infidelity for much of their 15-year marriage; and, in fact, helped raise many of the children born from those dalliances
• Joined the I-Threes, which also featured Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths, in 1974
• They provided backup vocals for the Wailers after Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer left the band
• Survived a 1976 assassination attempt on her husband by gunmen hoping to disrupt a unity concert in Jamaica at a time when political tensions were heated there
• They were both wounded, but still went on with the show
• Started the Bob Marley Foundation, which helps people and organizations in developing countries, after her husband's 1981 death from cancer