When people hear the name of Ice-T, they usually think of the famous rapper and actor. But before all the fame, there was someone very important in his life—his mother, Alice Marrow.
Alice Marrow was not a celebrity. She didn’t appear on TV or perform on stage. But she was a very important part of Ice-T’s life. Her love and advice helped him become the strong and successful man he is today.
Want to learn more about her? Keep reading! In this article, we’ll share the full story of Alice Marrow. You’ll learn about her childhood, her family, how she raised Ice-T, and her death, which deeply impacted her son’s journey to success. So, let’s get started and find out more!
Quick Facts About Alice Marrow
👩 Full Name: Alice Marrow
🎂 Born: April 1909
📍 Birthplace: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
🏠 Lived In: Newark, New Jersey
🌎 Ethnicity: Louisiana Creole
👨👩👦 Husband: Solomon Marrow
👶 Child: Tracy Lauren Marrow (Ice-T)
🧒 Only Child: Yes, Ice-T was her only child
❤️ Known For: Being the mother of rapper and actor Ice-T
🕊️ Passed Away: January 1967
Who Was Alice Marrow?
Alice Marrow was the mother of Tracy Lauren Marrow, who is known as Ice-T. She was born in April 1909 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and later lived most of her life in Newark, New Jersey.
According to the details, Alice was born into a Louisiana Creole family. She married Solomon Marrow, an African-American man who worked fixing machines in a factory. Alice and Solomon had one child together, and they raised him with love, care, and rules to help him grow up strong.
Alice was not famous, but she taught Ice-T great lessons that helped him become the person he is today. She taught him to be strong, focused, and believe in himself, even when life got hard.
Alice Marrow’s Early Years
Alice grew up in the early 1900s, a time when life was difficult for many Black families in the United States. She was born in Winston-Salem, a city in the South, where Black people were often treated unfairly and had few opportunities. However, her Creole background helped her feel proud of herself and where she came from.
Creole culture is made up of African, French, Spanish, and Native American backgrounds. According to sources, Alice grew up in a home that valued family, being strong, and being proud of your culture. She learned to work hard and never give up, even when life was not fair.
We don’t know much about her school life, but it’s clear that Alice believed in learning and doing the right thing. These were the lessons she taught her son.
Alice’s Marriage to Solomon Marrow
As a young woman, Alice married Solomon Marrow, a hardworking man who built and maintained conveyor belts. They settled in Newark, New Jersey, where they built a quiet but stable life together.
Solomon worked for the Rapistan Conveyor Company and supported the family while Alice cared for their home and son. Their marriage was rooted in shared values—hard work, respect, and family strength.
Together, they created a home where their son, Tracy, could grow up with structure and safety. They were determined to give him a better life, even though they lived through tough times in a changing America.
Alice Marrow’s Life as a Mother to Ice-T
In 1958, Alice gave birth to her only child, Tracy Lauren Marrow, the boy who would later become known to the world as Ice-T. From the beginning, she was focused on raising him with care and discipline.
Alice was known for being loving but firm. She taught Ice-T how to speak respectfully, how to stay away from trouble, and how to believe in his own strength. She helped him learn the value of education, even though they didn’t have much money.
Ice-T has said in interviews that his mother often played music in the house, from Dean Martin to Elvis Presley. These moments sparked his early love for rhythm and lyrics. More importantly, Alice made sure her son knew that he was capable of doing something great with his life, even if the world didn’t believe it yet.
Is Ice-T the Only Child of Alice Marrow?
Yes, Ice-T was Alice and Solomon Marrow’s only child. There is no record of her having any other children. According to records and Ice-T’s own words, he was their one and only child.
While Ice-T went on to have children of his own—LeTesha Marrow, Tracy Marrow Jr., and Chanel Marrow—Alice never lived to see her grandchildren. However, the love and lessons she gave Ice-T continue to be passed down through his family today.
There are sometimes confusing statements online suggesting otherwise, but all reliable sources confirm that Alice had only one child—Tracy, who would become Ice-T.
How Did Alice Marrow Pass Away?
Alice Marrow died suddenly in January 1967. The cause of death was a heart attack, and she passed away at the age of 57. Ice-T was only nine years old at the time and was in the third grade.
According to sources, her death occurred in Summit, Union County, New Jersey, although Ice-T was living in the Newark area. The loss came quickly and left Ice-T feeling lost, angry, and deeply hurt.
He has often said that losing his mother was one of the most painful moments of his life. Her death wasn’t just the loss of a parent—it was the loss of the person who gave him structure, love, and a sense of safety. From that point on, life would never be the same.
What Happened to Ice-T After Her Death
After Alice Marrow passed away in 1967, Ice-T’s life changed forever. He was only nine years old and had lost the most important person in his life. His father, Solomon Marrow, took over raising him. Solomon did his best and got help from a maid to care for Ice-T. But just a few years later, tragedy struck again.
In May 1971, when Ice-T was only 13, his father also died—from a heart attack, just like Alice. Now, Ice-T was completely alone. With no parents left, he had to move in with different relatives. First, he stayed with one aunt nearby. Later, he moved to View Park–Windsor Hills, a mostly Black middle-class area in Los Angeles.
There, he shared a room with his cousin Earl, who was preparing for college. A neighbor next door played rock music loudly, and Ice-T started listening to it too. That’s when he began mixing his love for rap with metal, something that would later help shape his unique sound. Even during these tough years, the lessons from Alice Marrow helped him stay strong and find his own path.
Ice-T’s Life Today
Today, Ice-T is one of the most respected names in entertainment. His journey from street life to stardom is truly inspiring. After finishing high school, Ice-T joined the United States Army and served for four years. This gave him the structure he needed to build a better life.
Once out of the army, he turned to music. Ice-T became one of the first rappers to talk openly about street life. His debut album, “Rhyme Pays”, was a major success. He later founded Rhyme Syndicate Records and started the heavy metal band Body Count. One of their songs, “Cop Killer”, created a lot of controversy in the early 1990s, leading to his split with Warner Bros. Records.
After that, Ice-T moved into acting. Since 2000, he has starred as Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. His role on the show made him a household name. Today, he’s still working in music, acting, and public speaking. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at over $65 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
But beyond fame, Ice-T is also a proud father and husband. He has three children: LeTesha Marrow (born when he was 18), Tracy Marrow Jr., and Chanel Nicole Marrow, his daughter with his wife, Coco Austin. His son, Tracy Jr., even performs in his band, Body Count. Despite everything he’s achieved, Ice-T still says that his mother, Alice Marrow, was the first person who made him believe in himself.
Final Thoughts
Even though Alice Marrow lived a quiet life, her influence was anything but small. She was a strong, loving, and caring mother who helped shape one of the most important voices in hip-hop and TV. The love she gave Ice-T helped him survive loss, poverty, and hardship.
Alice Marrow’s story is not just about being Ice-T’s mother. It’s about what it means to be a mother who teaches strength, kindness, and belief. Her values live on in her son’s work, his children, and the people he inspires every day.
She may not be known to the world like her son, but Alice Marrow’s legacy is real, deep, and lasting. Her story reminds us that behind every strong person, there’s often someone who gave them strength early on. In Ice-T’s case, that person was his mother, Alice Marrow.
(FAQs)
Who were Ice-T’s parents?
Ice-T’s parents were Alice Marrow and Solomon Marrow. They raised him with love, discipline, and strong values before both passed away when Ice-T was still a young boy.
What happened to Alice Marrow?
Alice Marrow died of a heart attack in January 1967 when Ice-T was just nine years old.
How old was Alice Marrow when she died?
Alice Marrow was 57 years old when she passed away in January 1967.
Did Alice Marrow have more children?
No, Alice Marrow had only one child—Tracy Lauren Marrow, known as Ice-T.
Where is Ice-T now?
As of 2025, Ice-T is still active in music, acting, and public speaking. He stars in Law & Order: SVU and continues to perform with his metal band Body Count.
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