My Life with Bob Marley! Rita's book release celebrates the star's 75th birthday!

The book "No Woman no Cry - My Life with Bob Marley" offers a revealing look at the life of the reggae star, written by his own wife, Rita Marley. Bob Marley would have turned 75 in February, and to celebrate the date, Editora Belas Letras launched a special pre-sale of the book. The work contains an unprecedented, revealing and unsettling look at the life of the great musician, written by the woman who knew him like no one else in the world, Rita Marley. You know when we say “my life would make a book”? This woman's life did. The work contains revealing, no-holds-barred memories from this incredible woman, who was married to one of the best-known and most loved musicians of all time.

THE STRENGTH OF RITA MARLEY

Born into a family of musicians, Rita knew she would be a singer from her first time on a stage. In pursuit of professional success, it did not take long before she met and fell in love with Bob Marley. Performing as his backing vocalist, the two married in 1966. Rita was by the star's side during his meteoric rise to fame and stayed with Bob until his death in 1981. Reggae royalty managed to portray Bob Marley in a humanistic way, with all his qualities and flaws, deconstructing the untouchable image of the artist. The sincere text and fluid language tell of every phase of the couple's life: financial hardships, betrayals, children outside the marriage, dishonest managers, a political attack, his departure from Jamaica, among other facts. Sometimes, if we had argued before the show and Bob wanted to apologize, he would take the opportunity when we played ’No Woman No Cry’ to come close to me onstage and hug me. Sometimes he kissed me or whispered ‘I love you’ in my ear.”, says the author. How many Black writers do you know? Among them, how many are women? One of the important aspects of this release is the fact that it was written by a Black woman, entrepreneur and activist. Rita Marley is an example of representation, inspiration and empowerment. As a devout Rastafarian, I did not use contraceptives and did not consider having an abortion. We believe these practices are meant to exterminate the Black race”, she emphasizes. Today, she lives in Ghana, West Africa, is a member of the I-Threes and manages the Bob Marley Foundation. The book "No Woman No Cry" was originally published in 2004. In it, Rita also talks about the medicinal use of marijuana, a controversial topic of the moment. For us, ganja is just a plant made by God, like any other herb in nature. Besides that, everyone knows its medicinal uses, especially in treating glaucoma and relieving pain.” Bob Marley's final moments of life were beside his wife, between promises and songs. Everyone said he had only a few months to live, because the cancer had already taken over his liver, his lungs and his brain, and kept spreading. His dreadlocks began to fall out completely.”

BUY YOUR COPY

When buying the book during the pre-sale, which runs until March 9, the reader receives an exclusive kit containing a personalized bookmark + Bob Marley poster + paper toy of the musician to assemble. The 304-page book costs R$ 69,90. Through the button below, access the online store and place your order.