What is Ziggy Marley's Net Worth?
Ziggy Marley is a singer-songwriter, musician, and voice actor who has a net worth of $20 million. The son of reggae legend Bob Marley, he led the family band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers until 2002, and then began a successful career as a solo artist on his own record label, Tuff Gong Worldwide. Beyond music, he is heavily involved in philanthropy, and in 2007 founded the charity foundation U.R.G.E. to help children in disadvantaged areas around the world.
Early Life
Ziggy Marley was born as David Marley on October 17, 1968 in Kingston, Jamaica as the eldest son of reggae legend Bob Marley and his wife Rita Marley, a fellow singer-songwriter. His siblings are Stephen, Julian, Ky-mani, Robert Jr., Rohan, Damian, Sharon, Cedella, Karen, Stephanie, and Serita. Marley grew up in both Kingston, Jamaica and Wilmington, Delaware, attending elementary school for a few years in the latter city. Surrounded by music as a child, he took guitar and drum lessons from his father and sat in on his father's recording sessions. With some of his classmates, Marley formed a singing group called the Seven Do Bees. He also played with his brother Stephen at some of their father's bigger concerts in the late 1970s.
Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers
In 1979, Marley and his siblings Stephen, Sharon, and Cedella founded the reggae band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, named after the British weekly music magazine Melody Maker. They went on to make their recording debut with the song "Children Playing in the Streets," which was written for them by their father. Royalties from the single went to the United Nations. The Melody Makers released their debut album, "Play the Game Right," in 1985. That was followed by "Hey World!" in 1986. The group's commercial breakthrough came in 1988 with the album "Conscious Party," which launched the popular songs "Tumblin' Down" and "Tomorrow People" and won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Recording. The Melody Makers won a second consecutive Grammy for Best Reggae Recording for the album "One Bright Day." Further nominations came in the 1990s for "Jahmekya," "Joy and Blues," and "Free Like We Want 2 B," followed by a Grammy win in 1997 for "Fallen is Babylon." Closing out the decade, the Melody Makers released "Spirit of Music," their final studio album before their disbanding in 2002.
Solo Career
After the disbanding of the Melody Makers, Marley embarked on a solo career. His first solo album, "Dragonfly," came out in 2003; it launched the popular tracks "True to Myself" and "Rainbow in the Sky." In 2006, Marley founded his own independent record label, Tuff Gong Worldwide, through which he would release all of his subsequent albums. That year, he released "Love is My Religion," which won him his fourth career Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. Marley won another Grammy, this time for Best Musical Album for Children, for his 2009 album "Family Time." That album features various family members and friends, including Rita, Cedella, and Judah Marley, and Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, and Elizabeth Mitchell.
Marley released his fourth solo album, "Wild and Free," in 2011; it earned him yet another Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album. For his 2013 live album "Ziggy Marley in Concert," he won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album. Marley collected two more Grammys in 2014 and 2016 for "Fly Rasta" and his self-titled album, respectively. In 2018, he received his 15th career Grammy nomination for his album "Rebellion Rises," which came out to rave reviews from critics. Two years later, Marley released "More Family Time," a follow-up to his 2009 children's album "Family Time." The album features myriad appearances by special guest artists, including Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow, and Busta Rhymes.
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Other Musical Contributions
Among his many other musical contributions, Marley performed the theme song to the children's animated television show "Arthur." He also wrote and performed the original song "I Love You Too" for the children's animated show "3rd & Bird," for which he won a Daytime Emmy Award. Elsewhere, Marley has collaborated with such artists as Donna Summer, Beatriz Luengo, Jack Johnson, Cody Simpson, Carlos Santana, Looner, and Maluma.
Voice Acting
Marley has done quite a bit of voice acting over the years. He has lent his voice to such animated films as "Shark Tale" and "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," and to such television series as "My Gym Partner's a Monkey" and "Wonder Pets!" Marley also sang on the animated special "The Runaway Bunny," based on the eponymous children's book.
Philanthropy and Advocacy
As a philanthropist, Marley founded the charitable foundation U.R.G.E., or Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment, in 2007. The organization operates worldwide to improve health, education, and community environments for children in disadvantaged areas. U.R.G.E. takes action by fundraising, collecting and donating items, and providing assistance and resources. It also works to raise awareness through partnerships with artists, brands, and other charities.
In other philanthropic endeavors, Marley has supported such organizations as Little Kids Rock, Rotary International, the Heart of Los Angeles, and the International Iguana Foundation. He has advocated for such causes as HIV/AIDS awareness, healthy living, combating homelessness, and fostering peace between Israeli and Palestinian communities.
Personal Life
Marley is married to Orly Agai, an Israeli of Iranian-Jewish descent who formerly served as the vice president of William Morris Agency. Together, they have a daughter named Judah and three sons named Gideon, Abraham, and Isaiah. Marley also has three children from a previous relationship: son Bambaata and daughters Justice and Zuri.
Real Estate
In 2004 Ziggy paid $3.1 million for a home in Beverly Hills. He rents this house out today for $20 – $25,000 per month. Today this home is worth $5-7 million.
In June 2021 he paid $5.5 million for a home in Toluca Lake, a neighborhood in Los Angeles.
He also owns homes in Jamaica and the Bahamas.
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