Rita Marley, OD, (born Alpharita Constantia Anderson; 25 July 1946) is a Jamaican singer and songwriter. She is the widow of reggae musician Bob Marley and was a member of the I Threes, the backing vocalists for Bob Marley and the Wailers. She has also had a solo career, releasing several albums.
Marley was born in Nine Miles, Saint Ann, Jamaica. She was the daughter of a farmer and a homemaker, and she grew up in a religious household. She began singing at an early age, and she joined the I Threes in 1969. She married Bob Marley in 1966, and they had four children together.
After Bob Marley's death in 1981, Rita Marley continued to perform with the I Threes. She also began a solo career, and she has released several albums. Her music has been praised for its spiritual and political themes.
In addition to her music career, Rita Marley is also a businesswoman and a philanthropist. She is the founder of the Bob Marley Foundation, which supports various charitable causes. She is also the owner of the Rita Marley Music label, and she has her own line of clothing and jewelry.
Rita Marley has been awarded several honors for her work. She was made an Officer of the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government in 2006. She was also inducted into the Reggae Hall of Fame in 2008.