Alfarita “Rita” Marley, OJ, OD, is a reggae music icon, cultural ambassador, and humanitarian whose life’s work has uplifted Jamaica’s heritage on the world stage. Best known as a founding member of the I-Threes – the female trio who provided rich harmonies for Bob Marley & The Wailers – Rita Marley has had an illustrious musical career in her own right. Early on, the talented young Rita Anderson (as she was then known) helped shape the sound of reggae during its golden era, touring internationally and bringing Jamaica’s message of “One Love” to audiences far and wide. She emerged as a solo artist in the 1980s with a catalog of hits, including the memorable anthem “One Draw,” and earned acclaim for her soulful voice and songwriting. As the matriarch of the Marley family, she has safeguarded and expanded Bob Marley’s musical legacy, ensuring that reggae’s roots remain strong. Her influence has been pivotal in bringing Jamaican music and culture to global prominence – indeed, she has been hailed for “unparalleled contributions to Jamaican music, culture, and community development,” with a legacy that helped carry reggae and its spirit of philanthropy to every corner of the globe.
Beyond the recording studio and stage, Rita Marley has been a tireless advocate for cultural preservation and community empowerment. In 1986, she transformed Bob Marley’s former Kingston home into the Bob Marley Museum, creating a national treasure that educates and inspires future generations. She also founded and chairs several key institutions bearing the Marley name – including Tuff Gong International (one of Jamaica’s leading music studios and record labels) and the Bob Marley Foundation – to continue the work of nurturing Jamaican music and supporting those in need. In 2000, Marley established the Rita Marley Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to charitable initiatives in Jamaica, Africa, and beyond. The Foundation works toward the alleviation of poverty and the empowerment of communities, using tools such as educational scholarships, healthcare, and economic opportunities to uplift the vulnerable. Among its signature projects is the Rita Marley Girls’ Center in Trench Town, which provides a safe space, mentorship, life-skills training, and resources for young women in that community. This initiative reflects Marley’s deep commitment to helping women and youth overcome challenges and realize their potential – a mission consistent with her lifelong ethos of “One Love” and unity.
Rita Marley’s philanthropic reach extends across borders, reinforcing her role as a global ambassador of Jamaican culture. She has spent part of the past two decades in Ghana, forging enduring bonds between Africa and the Caribbean diaspora and even receiving honorary citizenship there in recognition of her charitable work. Her achievements have also been formally lauded in Jamaica: Marley has been conferred with the Order of Distinction and the Order of Jamaica, reflecting the nation’s gratitude for her contributions to music and humanitarian causes.
Through the institutions she founded, Marley’s influence continues to resonate; countless individuals in Jamaica and across the diaspora have benefited from her generosity, mentorship, and advocacy. In August 2025, Rita Marley will be honored at the Jamaica Independence Gala with a Lifetime Achievement Award, a fitting tribute to her monumental contributions to music, decades of philanthropic outreach, and enduring influence on the Jamaican community worldwide.