Why did Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley break up? Timeline of their relationship revisited

Lauryn Hill is one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time. Her relationships are also linked to people from the music industry. According to Hello magazine, Lauryn met her long-time partner, Rohan Marley, in 1996.

They had five children together and separated in 2011. The reason for their separation wasn't revealed. Rohan Marley spoke to the Voice in 2012 about why his relationship ended with Lauryn.

According to Marley, Hill reportedly got involved with someone from Bible studies and didn't "agree" with what he said. Rohan added that he didn't want a "third person" in their relationship, explaining:

“Like my father (Bob Marley) said, ‘I’d rather live on the house top than live in a house of confusion.’ That was it. I believe that when I’m with a woman, it should be me and her."

After a point, Marley and Hill grew apart but have continued to co-parent their children.

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Timeline of Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley's relationship

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A timeline of Lauryn Hill and Marley's relationship shows that they experienced various ups and downs in their relationship.

1996: Lauryn meets Marley

At the start of her career, she shared a complicated relationship with Wyclef Jean, her bandmate from the Fugees. After their relationship came to an end, Hill met famous musician Bob Marley's son, Rohan Marley.

1997-2001: Welcome children together

While Marley and Lauryn Hill didn't get married, she has referenced Marley as her "husband".

In 1997, they welcomed their first child, Zion Marley. Lauryn also released To Zion as a tribute to her first-born. They welcomed two more children, Selah Louise Marley and Joshua Omaru Marley, in 1998 and 2001, respectively.

Early 2000s–2011: On and Off Relationship and breakup

Although they had two more children, John and Sarah Marley, they experienced difficulties in their relationship. Although they were taking care of their children together, they spent increasingly less time together.

2012: Rohan Marley talks about his relationship

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He said that there are a lot of speculations and "stories" about their relationship, telling Voice Magazine:

“One story that came out was that I got her assistant pregnant – false. "

He said that many believed that Lauryn Hill had stopped producing music because of him. He clarified that after Lauryn's involvement with the "Bible studies guy", he didn't want to be the third-party, explaining:

“Nobody knows the ins and outs of another person’s relationship, so I don’t want any third party in my relationship. Ultimately, we grew apart because of our different interpretations of how life should be.”

Marley got engaged to Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana but has continued to co-parent his children with Lauryn Hill, telling the Voice:

“I could never have ill-feeling towards her. She’s the mother of my children. There’s no animosity, but I’ve moved on. I’m with someone else now, and I’m very happy.”

2024: Rohan Marley praises ex-partner Lauryn

In an episode of Drink Champs, Rohan Marley praised his ex-partner Lauryn Hill.

"When I was young, I always made it my point to never interfere with Ms. Hill’s music. I take a backseat to her music because she’s super great."

He also spoke about how Lauryn Hill has shaped their son, Joshua (YG Marley)'s, music career, explaining:

“It’s so beautiful to see her create her art and teach Joshua the way, and bring him on stage to open for her … to give him away and give him a spotlight, and that has guided him and helped him to orchestrate his music."

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While Rohan Marley has spoken about his relationship with Lauryn Hill, Hill has never publicly revealed the reason for their separation. However, Marley and Hill have continued to co-parent their children. Over the years, they also have spoken positively about each other.