Net Worth Ranker
What Is Ziggy Marley Net Worth?
Ziggy Marley, a multifaceted artist renowned as a singer-songwriter, musician, and voice actor, has accumulated a net worth of $20 million. This financial standing reflects his diverse career, which includes leading the family band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers until 2002 and subsequently establishing a successful solo career under his own record label, Tuff Gong Worldwide. Beyond his musical achievements, Marley is deeply involved in philanthropy, demonstrated by his founding of the U.R.G.E. charity foundation in 2007, aimed at supporting children in disadvantaged communities globally. His real estate portfolio includes properties in Beverly Hills, Toluca Lake (Los Angeles), Jamaica, and the Bahamas, adding to his overall wealth.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born David Marley on October 17, 1968, in Kingston, Jamaica, Ziggy Marley is the eldest son of reggae legend Bob Marley and Rita Marley. Growing up between Kingston and Wilmington, Delaware, Ziggy attended elementary school in Wilmington. Surrounded by music from a young age, he received guitar and drum lessons from his father and often participated in his recording sessions. As a child, Marley formed the singing group the Seven Do Bees with his classmates. Before establishing Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers he occasionally performed with his brother Stephen at their father’s larger concerts in the late 1970s. In 1979, Ziggy Marley and his siblings Stephen, Sharon, and Cedella established Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. Their debut recording, “Children Playing in the Streets,” was penned by their father, Bob Marley. The song’s royalties were donated to the United Nations.
Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers: 1985-2002
The Melody Makers released their debut album, “Play the Game Right,” in 1985, followed by “Hey World!” in 1986. Their commercial breakthrough occurred in 1988 with the album “Conscious Party,” which featured the popular songs “Tumblin’ Down” and “Tomorrow People.” This album earned them the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Recording. The Melody Makers continued their success with “One Bright Day,” winning their second consecutive Grammy for Best Reggae Recording. Further nominations followed in the 1990s for albums such as “Jahmekya,” “Joy and Blues,” and “Free Like We Want 2 B.” The group won another Grammy in 1997 for “Fallen is Babylon.” “Spirit of Music,” released in the late 1990s, was their final studio album before disbanding in 2002.
Solo Career: 2003-Present
Following the disbandment of the Melody Makers, Ziggy Marley embarked on a solo career. His debut solo album, “Dragonfly,” was released in 2003, featuring tracks such as “True to Myself” and “Rainbow in the Sky.” In 2006, Marley founded his own independent record label, Tuff Gong Worldwide. Under this label, he released “Love is My Religion” in 2006, which won him a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. In 2009, he won another Grammy, this time for Best Musical Album for Children, for “Family Time,” which featured collaborations with family members and artists such as Paul Simon and Willie Nelson. Marley’s fourth solo album, “Wild and Free,” was released in 2011 and nominated for Best Reggae Album at the Grammy Awards. In 2013, his live album “Ziggy Marley in Concert” won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album. He continued his Grammy success with wins in 2014 and 2016 for “Fly Rasta” and his self-titled album, respectively. In 2018, his album “Rebellion Rises” received his 15th career Grammy nomination. In 2020, Marley released “More Family Time,” a follow-up to his 2009 children’s album, featuring artists such as Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow, and Busta Rhymes. These musical endeavors contribute significantly to Ziggy Marley’s net worth.
Other Musical Contributions and Voice Acting Roles
Ziggy Marley has made a variety of musical contributions beyond his solo work and time with the Melody Makers. Notably, he performed the theme song for the children’s animated television show “Arthur,” enhancing his profile among younger audiences. He also wrote and performed “I Love You Too” for the animated show “3rd & Bird,” for which he won a Daytime Emmy Award. Marley has collaborated with artists such as Donna Summer, Beatriz Luengo, Jack Johnson, Cody Simpson, Carlos Santana, Looner, and Maluma. In voice acting, Marley has contributed to animated films like “Shark Tale” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” as well as television series such as “My Gym Partner’s a Monkey” and “Wonder Pets!” He also sang on the animated special “The Runaway Bunny.” Marley’s diverse activities in music and voice acting showcase his creativity and add to his financial well-being.
Philanthropy and Advocacy: U.R.G.E. Foundation
Ziggy Marley is actively involved in philanthropy. In 2007, he founded the U.R.G.E. (Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment) charitable foundation, which operates globally to improve health, education, and community environments for children in disadvantaged areas. U.R.G.E. raises funds, collects and donates items, and provides assistance and resources. The foundation also partners with artists, brands, and other charities to raise awareness. Marley supports organizations like Little Kids Rock, Rotary International, the Heart of Los Angeles, and the International Iguana Foundation. He advocates for causes such as HIV/AIDS awareness, healthy living, combating homelessness, and fostering peace between Israeli and Palestinian communities. These efforts reflect Marley’s commitment to using his resources to make a positive impact on the world.
Real Estate Holdings and Investments
Ziggy Marley’s investment portfolio includes substantial real estate holdings. In 2004, he purchased a home in Beverly Hills for $3.1 million, which he currently rents out for approximately $20,000 to $25,000 per month. The estimated current value of this property ranges from $5 million to $7 million. In June 2021, Marley acquired a property in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, for $5.5 million. He also owns homes in Jamaica and the Bahamas. These real estate investments contribute significantly to Ziggy Marley’s net worth, providing both rental income and long-term asset appreciation. The monthly rental income from the Beverly Hills property alone adds between $240,000 and $300,000 annually to his income stream.
Personal Life and Family
Ziggy Marley is married to Orly Agai, an Israeli of Iranian-Jewish descent who formerly worked as the vice president of the 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. Details about his personal expenditures, such as specific cars or personal aircraft, are not publicly available, and therefore, cannot be included in this overview of his net worth.
