His vast legacy ranges from producing Michael Jackson‘s Thriller album to writing prize-winning film and television scores and collaborating with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and hundreds of other recording artists.
Away from the music studio, Jones was married three times and welcomed seven children, with five different women. His children are aged between 31 and 69, and many of them have become famous in their own right.
A proud father, Jones once said: “Never underestimate your role in your kids’ lives. I learned that a bit later in my life, but I’m so glad I finally figured it out because being a father is hands down one of the greatest blessings.”
Here is a who’s who of Jones’s children…
Quincy Jones welcomed his first child – a daughter named Jolie – with his first love and childhood sweetheart, Jeri Caldwell.
Jolie tends to stay out of the spotlight, but as a teen worked as a model and also did some screen work.
She appeared in the film Panic in Echo Park and also made her own music in her career, performing her own song “Take a Second Look” for the soundtrack of the film Hunk in 1987.
These days she’s an artist, writer and activist and has spoken out about her experience suffering from Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity – which makes her particularly sensitive around wireless devices and mobile phones. She previously said: “I had to become a refugee from the modern world.”
She is married to music producer Stewart Levine, with whom she has two kids — Donovan and Sunny Levine.
Rachel was Jones’ second child. Although she was born while he was still married to Jeri, she was the result of a brief affair with a dancer named Carol Reynolds in 1963.
Rachel did not follow her father into show business and works with animals. She owns a holistic mobile veterinary practice which has bases in both Los Angeles and New York.
Following his divorce from childhood sweetheart Jeri in 1966, Jones went on to meet his next love – Swedish model Ulla Andersson, whom he married in 1967.
The pair welcomed daughter Martina in 1966 before tying the knot, but later split in 1974.
Martina went to live with her mother in Sweden, and as a teen and young woman, she followed in her mother’s footsteps working as a model.
Now, Martina spends more time on the other side of the camera and works as a photographer. She loves sharing her adventures, travels and work with her followers on Instagram. She is known to keep her personal life very private.
Quincy Delight Jones III, 55
Jones had a second child with Andersson – his only son – in 1968.
He did follow his dad into the music industry, and started working as a rapper and producer when he was teenager. He began producing when he was 13, and released records at 16. Over the years, he has mixed music for icons including Prince, Tupac, LL Cool J and Lionel Richie.
In his later years, he has also made documentaries and movies. He made The Carter, a popular film about rapper Lil Wayne, which he created through his company QD3 Entertainment.
He has two children from his marriage to his former wife Koa Jones, from whom he has now split. He has a son named Quincy Renzo Delight Jones IV and a daughter named Nea Jones.
Jones welcomed Kidada with his third wife Peggy Lipton on March 22, 1974. She grew up in Bel Air, California and worked for designer Tommy Hilfiger. She was known to be his muse and she also worked for her dad’s magazine, Vibe, as a stylist.
In her years in the role, she styled Michael Jackson and even worked for Snoop Dogg’s clothing line, as well as with prestigious magazines such as Elle and Vogue.
She was dating Tupac at the time of his death and also is known to have dated LL Cool J and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Speaking on her death, Jones previously said: “There is absolutely no combination of words that can express the sadness I feel after losing my beloved Peggy Lipton. My wife of 14 years. We shared many, many beautiful memories, and most importantly, we share two incredible daughters … Pie (Kidada) and Doonkie (Rashida).”
Jones and Lipton’s second daughter was born in 1976.
Rashida Jones
Like her sister, she grew up in Bel Air and went on to study at Harvard. Rashida is arguably the most well-known of Jones’s children.
She’s a successful actress, having appeared in various TV shows including Parks and Recreation, and the US version of The Office.
She has also starred in films including I Love You, Man and The Social Network. She also wrote and produced Toy Story 4.
She is now in a relationship with Ezra Koenig from Vampire Weekend. The pair welcomed a son named Isaiah Jones Koenig in 2018.
After his divorce from Lipton, Jones began dating German actress and model Nastassja Kinski. The pair welcomed Kenya in 1993, before splitting a few years later.
Kenya attended university and studied journalism, but soon followed in her mother’s footsteps, becoming a famous model.
She has posed for Vogue and brands such as Nasty Gal, and is known to be an advocate for animal rights.
She has been a vegetarian since she was eight years old and works with Last Chance for Animals, a non-profit organisation.
The model has been dating actor Will Peltz since 2011.