When Lauryn Hill released "To Zion" back in 1998, she wasn't just dropping a hit. She was drawing a line in the sand. People told her that having a baby at the peak of her Fugees fame would "ruin" her career. They were wrong. Today, the conversation around the icon usually shifts from her legendary voice to her private life, specifically the question that pops up in every trivia circle: how many kids does Lauryn Hill have?
Honestly, she's built a small empire.
Lauryn Hill has six children.
Five of them she shares with Rohan Marley, the son of reggae legend Bob Marley. The youngest, Micah, arrived later, and while the internet loves to speculate, Lauryn has kept the identity of his father under wraps. It’s kinda her thing—protecting that family peace while the world watches.
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Most of Lauryn’s children grew up in that blurry space between New Jersey normalcy and global superstardom. If you've ever wondered about the breakdown, it’s a mix of artists, models, and low-key creators.
- Zion David Marley (born 1997): The "Zion" from the song. He’s the eldest and arguably the most famous by proxy. Now in his late 20s, Zion is a father himself, making Lauryn a grandmother to Zephaniah and Azariah.
- Selah Marley (born 1998): She’s a force in the fashion world. You’ve probably seen her on runways for Chanel or Yeezy. She’s been very vocal about the complexities of her upbringing, which isn't always sunshine and roses.
- Joshua Omaru Marley (born 2001): Better known to the world now as YG Marley. If you haven't heard "Praise Jah In The Moonlight," you’re missing out. He’s successfully bridged the gap between his mother’s soul and his grandfather’s reggae, becoming a massive breakout star in 2024 and 2025.
- John Nesta Marley (born 2003): John tends to stay out of the headlines more than his older siblings. He’s done some modeling—notably for Rag & Bone—but he keeps a tighter lid on his personal life.
- Sara Marley (born 2008): The youngest of the Marley bunch. She’s a student and a budding creative who often pops up on her mom’s social media during tour stops.
The Youngest: Micah Hill
Then there is Micah. Born in 2011, Micah Hill is the youngest of the six. When he was born, the rumor mill went into overdrive, assuming Rohan Marley was the father. Lauryn actually took to Twitter (now X) to shut that down, clarifying that while she and Rohan had a long history, he wasn't the father of her sixth child.
Micah is a teenager now. He’s often seen at basketball games or hanging out with his older brothers. Unlike the older kids who lived through the "Miseducation" era, Micah’s childhood has been much more secluded from the prying eyes of the 90s paparazzi.
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Why the Number of Lauryn Hill’s Kids Matters to Fans
People are obsessed with this because Lauryn Hill basically chose motherhood over the traditional music industry machine. After winning five Grammys in one night, most artists would have toured until their feet bled. Lauryn? She went home. She had more kids. She chose to be a "200% mother," as she once told The Guardian.
It’s a different kind of rockstar move.
Instead of a discography of twenty albums, she has a "discography" of six humans who are all carving out their own paths. You see it when YG Marley performs at Coachella and Lauryn comes out to back him up. It’s not a comeback; it’s a family business.
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Keeping Up With the Hills in 2026
If you’re looking to follow the family, Instagram is your best bet, though Lauryn herself is famously sporadic with her posts. The kids are much more active. YG Marley is the one to watch if you want to see where the musical DNA is headed, while Selah offers the most insight into the family’s aesthetic and intellectual life.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Listen to "To Zion": Go back and listen to the lyrics now that you know Zion is a grown man with his own kids. It hits different.
- Check out YG Marley: His recent performances show exactly how much of Lauryn’s "L. Boogie" energy he’s inherited.
- Respect the Privacy: Lauryn has always been about "The Miseducation," and part of that is learning that we aren't entitled to every detail of her children's lives.
Whether she’s performing late or not performing at all, one thing is certain: Lauryn Hill’s biggest legacy isn't just a diamond-certified album. It’s the six kids who call her "Mom" while the rest of the world calls her a queen.