All About Lauryn Hill’s Son Zion Marley (2024)

All About Lauryn Hill’s Son Zion Marley (1)

Lauryn Hill and her son, Zion David Marley, are celebrating the 25th anniversary of her first and only solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which was released the year after he was born. Zion is Hill’s eldest child, whom she shares with her former longtime partner Rohan Marley.

Zion is a father of two and one of his mom’s biggest supporters. In fact, he even called her 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill the “best album ever.”

Most recently, he and his two kids surprised Hill onstage after her performance of the song he inspired. Zion has a lot of love for his mom, and posted a sweet throwback in November 2022.

“I know it was hard for you but we here!” he captioned the since-deleted Instagram post, which showed a photo of Hill in a pool with her hands on his shoulders.

Zion’s dad Rohan also spoke fondly of that time in their lives while honoring the 25th anniversary of her album.

“One of the most amazing times of my life,” he wrote alongside a clip of Hill performing. “Blessed love to Her Majesty Mommy Zion.”

Here’s everything to know about Lauryn Hill’s son, Zion David Marley.

Zion was born in August 1997

Hill and Rohan welcomed Zion on Aug. 3, 1997. Hill's pregnancy came on the heels of her win at the 39th annual Grammy Awards, where her band, The Fugees, earned best rap album for The Score.

Speaking with the Los Angeles Timesa year after Zion's birth, the singer opened up about becoming a mother during the height of her career. Though she was "suddenly forced to go off the road" as she neared her due date, Hill shared she was ready for the next chapter of her life.

“Having Zion helped me realize what was really important,” Lauryn told theoutlet. “I had made a lot of decisions for other people more than myself ... A lot of people were against my having a child so early, and at that point in my career. ... It was one of the first things I did where I put my happiness first.”

In August 2020, Hill posted a collage of photos from Zion’s childhood to celebrate his 23rd birthday.

“I wish you healing, strength, compassion and most of all love, for yourself, and for others,” she shared in the post. “May God set a clear path before you, guide and protect you, and transform any adversity or hardship you’ve experienced into an absolute blessing—so that you may be a blessing to others! I LOVE you!!! Mommy.”

Hill and Rohan also welcomed four other children — including Joshua, John, Selah and Sara — during their relationship from 1996 to 2009.

Lauryn Hill's 6 Kids: All About Her Sons and Daughters

He’s from a famous family

There are music icons on both sides of Zion’s family, as Rohan is the son of Bob Marley and Janet Hunt. In fact, his late grandfather had two songs that mention “Zion.”

He wrote and recorded "Iron Lion Zion" in the 1970s, but it wasn’t released until September 1992. Bob and the Wailers also recorded and released the song “Zion Train” in 1980, just before the reggae legend’s death in 1981.

In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Rohan touched on what Bob taught him about creating a better world for the next generation.

"You don't want to do things just for you ... My father did not do that," he said. "There's no limitations. When I stop, it should be greater than I. The ones that come after I should be greater than I."

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Hill dedicated a song to Zion in her 1998 album

All About Lauryn Hill’s Son Zion Marley (3)

Hill penned a single for her oldest child, titled “To Zion” in The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The song is about her pregnancy journey in tandem with her rise to fame in 1997, and it includes lyrics about her hopes for Zion’s future.

“I knew his life deserved a chance,” she sings. “But everybody told me to be smart / 'Look at your career' they said / 'Lauryn, baby use your head' / But instead I chose to use my heart / Now the joy of my world is in Zion.”

In 1998, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill earned Hill her first five Grammys as a solo artist, including album of the year, best new artist and best R&B album. The following year, she performed the song “To Zion” at the 41st Grammy Awards.

Since its release, Hill has spoken about what the work meant for her at the time and echoed words about making choices for herself.

"That song is about the revelation that my son was to me," she toldRock's Backpagesin 1999, perThe Guardian. "I had always made decisions for other people, making everybody else happy, and once I had him that was really the first decision that was unpopular for me."

Hill added, "It was the best decision that I could have ever made, because I'm the happiest and healthiest that I have ever been."

In October 2022, Zion shared a screenshot of several lyrics from the special song. “I pray I never let you down!” he captioned the since-deleted post. “My purpose is only getting clearer #THANKYOU.”

He has eight siblings

Zion is the first of five children Hill shares with Rohan. After their eldest, Hill and Rohan welcomed daughter Selah, on Nov. 12, 1998, who is now a model and an aspiring singer.

A few years later, their son Joshua arrived on Dec. 5, 2001, and he is also an artist who has performed with Hill. Not too long after, Hill and Rohan expanded their family with son John, who was born on June 28, 2003. Though he's done some modeling work, he has kept his focus on academics.

The couple's youngest child, Sara, was welcomed on Jan. 2, 2008, and she currently runs track and plays basketball in high school. Hill also gave birth to her son Micah in 2011, but the name of his father is not publicly known.

Outside of his immediate family, Zion is a little brother to his father’s two children with Geraldine Khawly. His brother Nicolas “Nico” Rohan Marley is a former NFL linebacker and his sister Eden operates a non-profit called The Garden of Eden Foundation.

Zion has two children

All About Lauryn Hill’s Son Zion Marley (4)

Zion is now a parent himself: He welcomed son Zephaniah Nesta and daughter Azariah Genesis with his longtime girlfriend Tania.

Hill became a grandmother for the first time when Zephaniah was born in 2017, and she has honored his special day on social media over the years.

“Happy 4th Birthday Zephaniah!! We love you very much!!” Hill shared on Instagram in 2021. “May you continue to grow in God’s grace and peace and always know and feel that you are loved!! Love, MiMi.”

Zion also shared in a 2021 Instagram post that his kids call Hill “MiMi.”

Zion and his kids surprised Hill onstage in 2022

All About Lauryn Hill’s Son Zion Marley (5)

After Hill performed her song “To Zion” at ONE MusicFest in Atlanta in October 2022, Zion and his kids shared a special moment with her when they made a surprise appearance.

Zion hugged his mom before returning to the backstage area, but then Hill told the crowd to welcome her son and grandchildren back onto the stage.

"This is my grandson Zephaniah. This is my granddaughter Azariah. This is my son, Zion," she told the audience.

Later on, Zion’s siblings John, Sara and Micah also joined their mom onstage.

All About Lauryn Hill’s Son Zion Marley (2024)

FAQs

Is Zion the son of Lauryn Hill? ›

Zion David Marley is the eldest son of singer Lauryn Hill and reggae artist Rohan Marley, born on August 3, 1997, in South Orange, New Jersey. He is 26 years old and is part of the famous Marley family, being the grandson of legendary reggae musician Bob Marley.

Who is Lauryn Hill's sixth child? ›

During that time, they had five children: Zion, born in 1997; Selah, born in 1998; Joshua, born in 2001; John, born in 2003; and Sara, born in 2008. Lauryn later welcomed her son Micah in 2011.

How many kids do Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley have? ›

Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley have five kids together.

The couple welcomed their firstborn, Zion Marley, in 1997, followed by the birth of their daughter, Selah Marley, in 1998.

Did Prince support Lauryn Hill's children? ›

But he was unable to discuss his humanitarian acts because of his faith.

Who are the sons of Zion? ›

Sons of Zion
GenresPacific reggae roots reggae hip hop pop
Years active2007–present
LabelsSony Music New Zealand
MembersSamuel Eriwata, Rio Panapa, Joel Latimer, Matt Sadgrove, Ross Nansen, Caleb Haapu
4 more rows

When did Lauryn Hill give birth to Zion? ›

Hill became pregnant in late 1996, and on August 3, 1997, Marley and Hill's first child, Zion David, was born.

How many baby fathers does Lauryn Hill have? ›

Hill is the mother of six children, five with Rohan Marley, former football player and son of music icon Bob Marley. The father of her sixth, Micah, is publicly unknown.

Who was Lauryn Hill's ex husband? ›

Rohan Marley
BornRohan Anthony Marley 19 May 1972 Kingston, Jamaica
Occupation(s)Chairman of Marley Coffee Chief Passion Officer of Gisges
SpousesGeraldine Khawly ​ ​ ( m. 1993; div. 1996)​ Barbara Fialho ​ ​ ( m. 2019; div. 2020)​
PartnersLauryn Hill (1996–2009) Isabeli Fontana (2011–2013)
18 more rows

How is Lauryn Hill's daughter related to Bob Marley? ›

Selah Louise Marley (born November 12, 1998) is an American model and singer. Marley is the daughter of singer-songwriter and rapper Lauryn Hill and former American football player Rohan Marley, as well as a granddaughter of late reggae musician Bob Marley.

Who is the most famous Marley kids? ›

Perhaps the best-known Marley after Bob, David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley was born to Bob and Rita in Kingston on Oct. 17, 1968. Ziggy began playing music at a young age and sat in on Bob Marley and the Wailers' recording sessions starting when he was just 10 years old.

What is Lauryn Hill's ethnicity? ›

Pras was born in Jersey, but his parents were from Haiti, while Lauryn was born in New Jersey of American parents. The guys call her "Haitian by association". The daughter of an English teacher mother and computer consultant father, Hill grew up on the edge of suburbia, right on the border of Newark.

What is Rohan Marley doing now? ›

Once again pivoting, Rohan decided to hang up his cleats and start his latest journey as a businessman. His entrepreneurial resume includes the brand Tuff Gong Clothing, Marley Coffee, RoMarley Beach House, and now a cannabis company, Lion Order.

Is Zion Lauryn Hill's kid? ›

Zion is Hill's eldest child, whom she shares with her former longtime partner Rohan Marley. Zion is a father of two and one of his mom's biggest supporters. In fact, he even called her 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill the “best album ever.”

Did Lauryn Hill have a baby with Bob Marley son? ›

Zion, born on August 3, 1997, is Lauryn's first son with her ex Rohan, 51, son of Bob Marley and Janet Hunt. In 1998, she told the Los Angeles Times that having Zion "helped me realize what was really important," and explained: "I had made a lot of decisions for other people more than myself – which women tend to do.

Who raised Lauryn Hill? ›

Lauryn Hill was born May 26th in East Orange, New Jersey. She was raised by her mother and father, Valarie and Mal Hill. In an interview with the American Academy of achievement, she explained that there was always a record turning in her house. Hill was a self-described over-achiever throughout her childhood.

Who is Lauryn Hill's last child's father? ›

Lauryn shares Zion, 24, Selah, 22, Joshua, 19, John, 18, and Sara, 13, with Rohan Marley, a former football player and the son of iconic reggae artist Bob Marley. Lauryn is also mom to Micah, 10, but her youngest son's father is not public knowledge.

Who was Lauryn Hill's daughter? ›

Early life and career. Marley was born to American singer Lauryn Hill and Jamaican entrepreneur Rohan Marley, who never legally married but had a long-term partnership for 15 years. She is the granddaughter of reggae icon Bob Marley. The name Selah is Hebrew, meaning "meditational pause".

Is Zion a Marley? ›

He occupies a significant position in a culturally influential family, being the grandson of the legendary reggae musician Bob Marley. Through his family lineage, Zion connects to a profound musical heritage and cultural history that is cherished worldwide.

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