How Bob Marley's Family Is Maintaining His Reported $500M Legacy — And Building Their Own - AfroTech (2024)

Though Bob Marley’s life was cut too short too soon, the Marley family is still maintaining his legacy.

Regardless of your opinion on Bob Marley’s music while he was alive, the fact is, no Jamaican artist has done more to bring reggae music into the mainstream than Robert Nesta Marley. His contributions to both rock music and reggae music were so profound that, according to Forbes Magazine, the Marley family estate generated an estimated $23 millionin 2018 off of official Bob Marley licensed materialsalone. In 2020, Bob Marley was the eighth-highest paiddead celebrity, according to Forbes. And according to Cheatsheet, the Marley empire is said to be worth more than $500 million altogether.

“There are millions of dollars worth of unauthorized products using Marley’s likeness. Between the authorized and unauthorized licensing fees, there is reportedly $500 million of revenue annually,” according to the outlet. As Rolling Stone reported in 2015, the Marleys successfully sued a merchandising company that used the Rasta Man’s likeness without permission.

This move by the estate set a precedent for other musicians’ estates, who often suffer a financial loss when companies sell unauthorized likenesses of the artist.

“This case presents a question that is familiar in our circuit. When does the use of a celebrity’s likeness or persona in connection with a product constitute false endorsem*nt that is actionable under the Lanham Act,” 9th Circuit Judge N. Randy Smithwrote,citing a 1946 law aimed at protecting against trademark infringement and false advertising.

But don’t think Bob Marley’s kids are merely sitting around counting their father’s coins. Each of the Marley children is quite successful in their own right — and, as their children grow up and enter the industry, they’re carrying on the family name, too.

Let’s take a look at how the Marley family keeps the Spirit of Jah alive. Bless up!

Editorial note: The net worths listed in this piece are a speculative estimate drawn from a number of online sources.

Cedella Marley

How Bob Marley's Family Is Maintaining His Reported $500M Legacy — And Building Their Own - AfroTech (1)

Net Worth: $3 Million

Cedella Marley, the eldest of Bob and Rita Marley’s children, has an estimated net worth of $3 million. She is the acting director of the Bob Marley Foundation, which works with disadvantaged children in Jamaica. In 2014, she became a benefactor of the Jamaican women’s national football team, after she found out that they lost their funding.

David "Ziggy" Marley

How Bob Marley's Family Is Maintaining His Reported $500M Legacy — And Building Their Own - AfroTech (2)

Net Worth: $10 Million

David Nesta Marley, who is best known by his nickname Ziggy Marley, was the first of Bob Marley’s children to continue his musical legacy. He first appeared on his father’s 1979 album, “Children Playing in the Streets,” before striking out on his own with Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. He’s won several Grammy awards and has collaborated with the likes of Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, and Jack Johnson. Ziggy Marley has six children — including the reggae/rap artist Daniel Bambaata Marley. According to Celebrity Net Worth, he has a net worth of $10 million.

Stephen Marley

How Bob Marley's Family Is Maintaining His Reported $500M Legacy — And Building Their Own - AfroTech (3)

Net Worth: $20 Million

Like his older brother, Stephen Marley made a name for himself in music. He’s part of the Melody Makers, and has also done some production work with his younger brothers, Damian and Julian Marley. According to Celebrity Net Worth, he has an estimated net worth of $20 million.

Robert "Robbie" Marley

How Bob Marley's Family Is Maintaining His Reported $500M Legacy — And Building Their Own - AfroTech (4)

Net Worth: Unknown

Little is known about Robert “Robbie” Marley. According to his Instagram page, he has an interest in graphic arts, and goes by “Ninjology” on Instagram.

Rohan Marley

How Bob Marley's Family Is Maintaining His Reported $500M Legacy — And Building Their Own - AfroTech (5)

Net Worth: $20 Million

Though he’s perhaps best known for his long-time relationship with Ms. Lauryn Hill that produced five children — including rising superstar Selah Marley — Rohan Marley is an entrepreneur and a former football player. He’s also the only Marley male offspring who didn’t go into the music industry and is best known for his work with The Marley Coffee Company. According to Celebrity Net Worth, he has an estimated net worth of $20 million.

Karen Marley

How Bob Marley's Family Is Maintaining His Reported $500M Legacy — And Building Their Own - AfroTech (6)

Net Worth: Unknown

Little is known about Karen Marley. What we do know is she is a semi-successful fashion designer who frequently shares her work on Instagram.

Stephanie Marley

How Bob Marley's Family Is Maintaining His Reported $500M Legacy — And Building Their Own - AfroTech (7)

Net Worth: Unknown

Little is known about Stephanie Marley, who Bob adopted as his own, and even gave her his last name.

Happy EARTHDAY sister Stephanie Marley! pic.twitter.com/3nyWfbs8X4

— Bob Marley (@bobmarley) August 17, 2014

Julian Marley

How Bob Marley's Family Is Maintaining His Reported $500M Legacy — And Building Their Own - AfroTech (8)

Net Worth: $2 Million

Julian Marley has an estimated net worth of $2 million. Born in the United Kingdom, Julian — like many of his brothers — is a reggae singer who frequently collaborates with his brothers.

Ky-Mani Marley

How Bob Marley's Family Is Maintaining His Reported $500M Legacy — And Building Their Own - AfroTech (9)

Net Worth: $5 Million

Like the other Marley boys, Ky-Mani Marley has a career as a reggae singer. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Ky-Mani Marley has an estimated net worth of $5 million.

Damian Marley

How Bob Marley's Family Is Maintaining His Reported $500M Legacy — And Building Their Own - AfroTech (10)

Net Worth: $20 Million

Known as “Jr. Gong,” Damian Marley has had the most mainstream success as of late with his hit album and single, “Welcome to Jamrock.”

Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley has a net worth of $20 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

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Bernadette Giacomazzo is the SEO Manager at Blavity, Inc. She is also a NYC-based editor, writer, photographer, and publicist with a career spanning more than two decades in the entertainment industry. Her work has been featured in People, Teen Vogue, BET, HipHopDX, XXL Magazine, The Source, Vibe, The Los Angeles Times, and more. Giacomazzo is also the author of The Uprising Series and is the CEO of G-Force Marketing & Publicity, which has been featured in The Hollywood Reporter and has obtained film, television, radio, and print placements for blue-chip clients all over the world. She will release "In Living Color: A Cultural History" on Rowman & Littlefield Press in February 2023, and "The Golden Girls: A Cultural History" on Rowman & Littlefield Press in August 2023.

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How Bob Marley's Family Is Maintaining His Reported $500M Legacy — And Building Their Own - AfroTech (2024)

FAQs

How did Bob Marley contribute to the development of Jamaica? ›

Apart from spreading contagious music, Marley was also spreading love and compassion for the economically disadvantaged and those suffering from racial and political violence. Apart from his activism, Marley was also an unofficial ambassador for Jamaica.

How much is Bob Marley's family worth? ›

In 2020, Bob Marley was the eighth-highest paid dead celebrity, according to Forbes. And according to Cheatsheet, the Marley empire is said to be worth more than $500 million altogether.

What was Bob Marley last words before he died? ›

What were bob marley's last words? Marley, who is believed to have had 11 children, had one final message for his son, who is also a musician. The reggae legend's poignant last words were: "Money can't buy life." His body was then flown home to Jamaica, where Marley was given a State funeral on May 21, 1981.

What were the highlights of Bob Marley's life? ›

Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley helped introduce reggae music to the world and remains one of the genre's most beloved artists, having sold more than 75 million records. In 1963, Marley and his friends formed The Wailing Wailers, which eventually became Bob Marley & The Wailers.

How is Bob Marley remembered? ›

One of the 20th century's most charismatic and challenging performers, Bob Marley's renown now transcends the role of reggae luminary: he is regarded as a cultural icon who implored his people to know their history “coming from the root of King David, through the line of Solomon,” as he sang on “Blackman Redemption”; ...

Why was Bob Marley so inspirational? ›

Depicted in his powerful lyrics, and actions throughout his life, Bob Marley had a genuine concern for all people who were at risk and vulnerable no matter their race, age or religion. His example has motivated his family to continue his legacy not just through his music, but through his actions.

Which one of Bob Marley kids is the richest? ›

Who Is The Richest of Bob Marley's Many Children? 1 Damian Marley - $20 million. 2 Stephanie Marley - $20 million. 3 Robert Marley - $20 million.

How much money was Bob Marley worth when he died? ›

Though his estate was worth an estimated $30 million at the time he passed away, Bob Marley did not create a will, believing that such a document showed an inappropriate concern with earthly matters. He died at the age of 36, May 11th, 1981.

Who did Bob Marley leave his money to? ›

So, when he died, his estate had to follow the intestate (fancy lawyer word for didn't have a Will) laws of his homeland of Jamaica. These laws gave 10% of his assets to his wife, along with a 45% life estate. His eleven kids then were left the remaining 45% of the estate to divide equally.

Did Bob Marley know he was dying? ›

Sadly, Marley's final days indicate that he knew every little thing was not gonna be alright. He knew he was dying. In 1981, Marley was in Europe, where he had been receiving alternative therapies for his melanoma for months.

Could Bob Marley survive? ›

The five-year survival rate for Black people with melanoma is 71 percent. Most deaths from ALM occur when it is diagnosed late, after it has begun to spread. If Marley's cancer had been treated early, it could have possibly been cured. However he refused the recommended treatment, surgical removal of his toe.

Who was Bob Marley's true love? ›

Bob Marley married Alfarita Constantia "Rita" Anderson in Kingston, Jamaica, on 10 February 1966. Marley had many children: three were born to his wife Rita, and two additional children were adopted from Rita's previous relationships as his own, and they have the Marley name.

How old would Bob Marley be now? ›

After seeking alternative treatments around the world, Marley died on May 11, 1981, in Miami. On his 79th birthday in 2024, his son, Ziggy Marley — who was 12 years old at the time of Marley's death — penned a sweet letter to the reggae singer for PEOPLE.

What religion was Bob Marley? ›

The Rastafari faith is rooted in the Caribbean island in the 1930s. Its message was spread across the world in the 1970s by Marley — the faith's most famous exponent. For decades, Rastafari have been prosecuted for their ritualistic use of marijuana.

Who inspired Bob Marley? ›

Robert Nesta Marley was born in the impoverished city of Trenchtown, Jamaica in 1945 to a middle-aged white father and teenage black mother. He began playing music professionally at the age of sixteen, influenced by early American vocalists such as Sam Cooke and the Drifters.

How did Bob Marley contribute to Rastafarianism? ›

Bob Marley's lyrics contributed to the spread of Jamaican culture and Rastafarianism because the messages in these songs display the areas of class and Marley's life in the Jamaica ghetto, Trenchtown. The nation's capital city, Kingston and its largest ghetto, Trenchtown, was home to Marley for many years.

Who did Bob Marley influence? ›

While many also come from his native Jamaica, others come from all over the world. Buju Banton, Wyclef Jean, Rihanna, Sublime, and The Police are just a few of the star names who have clearly taken inspiration from the reggae legend.

How did Bob Marley influence American culture? ›

His music affected pop culture, his moral and religious beliefs affected his audience, and his appreciation of marijuana has also affected many Americans, at least the ones who participate in smoking marijuana. Experimented with ska, rock steady, rock, and jazz within his music, Bob Marley affected pop culture.

How did Rastafarianism influence Bob Marley? ›

The influence of Rastafarianism was apparent in the Wailers music. Marley and the band wrote about how Africans have been suppressed by the oppression (downpression of the white race. This influence can be scene in lyrics of two of Marley's songs, Buffalo Soldier and Could You Be Loved.

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