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Damian Marley Has 13 Siblings from His Father's and Mother's Sides

Damian Marley is the youngest son and child of the legendary reggae singer Bob Marley. Even though he is his father's last boy, Damian Marley has over a dozen older and younger siblings from both parents.

Before his father's death on May 11, 1981, the latter fathered 12 children. The musician had adopted some children while he had others with different women, including his wife, Alfarita Constantia "Rita" Marley née Anderson.

Damian Marley, whose birth date is July 21, 1978, was his father's last son. He was born from an affair between the reggae singer and the 1976 Miss World, Cindy Breakspeare.

Damian's parents were never married, as his father never divorced his wife. He took after his father, started his musical career as a teenager, and became a DJ, singer, and rapper.

Today, he is a Grammy Award-winning reggae artist who has collaborated with several musicians, including Bobby Brown, Nas, Sean Paul, some of his siblings, and more.

Damian, Ziggy, Stephen, Ky-Mani, and Julian Marley onstage at the "Roots, Rock, Reggae Tour 2004" on August 8, 2004, in Vienna | Source: Getty Images

Sharon Marley

Sharon was born on November 23, 1964, to Bob's wife from another relationship. The reggae legend adopted Sharon after his wedding to her mother.

She ventured into music when she was 12, toured with Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, and became a singer, dancer, and curator.

She is the founder of the Total Care Learning Center, did public relations for her brothers at the Ghetto Youth United Recording Label, was a United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace, and is a mother of four.

Cedella Marley

She is the first child of Bob and Rita and was born on August 23, 1967. Cedella was named after her paternal grandmother and walked in her father's footsteps as a singer. As a teenager, she joined her brother's group, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers.

She was with the group for two decades and won three Grammy Awards. Her creativity extended into fashion as she became a designer. In addition, she is an inspiring and accomplished children's book author, philanthropist, and visionary entrepreneur.

She became the CEO of her father's record label, Tuff Gong International, in 1993 and is the director of The Bob Marley Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization.

Ziggy Marley

He is the eldest son of his parents, Bob and Rita, and was born David Nesta Marley on October 17, 1968. He earned the nickname Ziggy from his father and was the lead vocalist of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers until 2002 when they disbanded.

The eight-time Grammy Award winner started his solo career in 2003. One year later, he added acting to his resume and is known for movies like "Shark Tale," "Into the Blue," "50 First Dates," which also starred Adam Sandler, and more.

He is married with seven children and is also the author of several children's books, a cookbook, and a comic book. In addition, he is a philanthropist and created a photo book to honor his father.

Stephen Marley

Stephen is Bob and Rita's second son, born on April 20, 1972. Like his siblings, he started his musical career at a young age and was a part of Ziggy's band.

He is also a songwriter and producer. He started a solo career and released his first album, "Mind Control," in 2007. He has won the Grammy Awards eight times, is a philanthropist, and is one of the co-founders of the Ghetto Youths Foundation.

In 2017, he debuted an annual music festival, Kaya Fest. The festival, which featured notable reggae and hip-hop legends such as Wyclef Jean, Pit Bull, and Busta Rhymes, plans to continue in 2023.

Robert Marley

Fondly called Robbie, he was born out of wedlock on May 16, 1972, from a relationship between his father and Pat Williams. Unlike his siblings, he prefers to live a private life.

However, when his brothers went to Africa in 2011, he joined them on the trip as they filmed "Marley Africa Roadtrip." He also appeared in another documentary, "Marley," in 2012.

Robbie Marley at the Los Angeles premiere of "Marley" on April 17, 2012, in Hollywood | Source: Getty Images

Rohan Marley

He was born to his father and Janet Hunt on May 19, 1972, and is an actor, writer, and producer. He has acted in movies and series like "Three Thug Mice" and "Jack Stall Dead."

Rohan is the writer and producer of "Rohan Marley - Tuff Gong Pilot." and also executive produced "A Taste of Marley." The father of eight has two children from his three-year marriage to Geraldine Khawly.

After his first marriage ended in 1996, he and Lauryn Hill welcomed five children between 1997 and 2008. Their children include Zion David Marley, Selah Louise, Joshua Omaru, John Nesta Marley, and Sarah.

Unlike his older siblings, Rohan was also a sportsman as he played professional football for the Canadian Football League's Ottawa Rough Riders and was a linebacker for the Hurricanes at the University of Miami.

He is the founder of Marley Coffee, and in 2019, he married for the second time. He married Brazilian fashion model and actress Barbara Fialho, and they welcomed their first child that same year.

Rohan Marley and Lauryn Hill after the hit musical "Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark" on Broadway on June 28, 2011, in New York | Source: Getty Images

Karen Marley

She was born to Bob and Janet Bowen in 1973 in London. However, she was raised in Jamaica and developed a passion for art and culture as a child.

Karen owned a successful home décor boutique in Jamaica and a high-end consignment boutique in Los Angeles. She is now a global creative consultant dedicated to healthy, happy, and peaceful living.

She is in the fashion industry and has released several collections for her online boutique through her label called By Karen Marley.

Stephanie Marley

She was born to Bob and Rita on August 17, 1974, and lives a relatively private life. In 2013, she started the B'uniqk Modelling Talent Agency with the purpose of training hopefuls for a future in the spotlight.

Her agency has worked with ProSieben TV, a German TV station, produced an actor for Nick Cannon's "King of the Dancehall," produced models for ads for Jamaica Producers, CB Chicken, and more.

Stephanie Marley, Rita Marley, and Robert Marley at the event where Bob Marley was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 6, 2001, in Los Angeles | Source: Getty Images

Julian Marley

He was born on June 4, 1975, and his mother is Lucy Pounder. Julian followed in his father's footsteps as a musician and songwriter. He is also a producer and humanitarian.

The Grammy-nominated artist who once performed in Isreal released his first album, "Lion In The Morning," in 1996. He has since released other albums, including "A Time & Place," "Awake," and "As I Am."

Ky-Mani Marley

He was born on February 26, 1976, to Jamaican table tennis champion Anita Belnavis. Ky-Mani is a musician, producer, and actor. He released his debut album, "Like Father Like Son," in 1996 and has released other albums like "Maestro," "The Journey," "Many More Roads," and more.

In 2007, he produced the series, "Living the Life of Marley," and has acted in "King of the Dancehall," "One Love," "Eenie Meenie Miney Moe," "A Rose Between Thorns," and more.

Makeda Jahnesta

Makeda was born to Yvette Crichton on May 30, 1981, almost three weeks after her father died. She is a mother of one and lives a relatively low-profile life.

However, she made the news in the late 2000s after the police arrested her in 2008, and she later pled guilty to growing marijuana. A Chester County judge sentenced her to seven years on probation as she chose not to serve a shorter prison term.

Christian Tavares-Finson

After Damian's father's death, his mother married senator Tom Tavares-Finson and had two more children. Christian is his younger brother, who became an attorney.

In 2017, Christian was appointed honorary consul of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Jamaica. His father, who had become the senate president in Jamaica, attended the event alongside other leading officials.

Leah Tavares-Finson

She is Damian's youngest sister from his mother's marriage. There is very little information about her except that she dated and had a child with Christopher 'Dog Paw' Linton, whom she called her "protector."

They were together for over 17 years. Unfortunately, Christopher was killed on October 11, 2021, in an alleged shootout by the police 11 days after turning 35.

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