Quincy Jones Dies at 91 — His Grieving Children React Following the Loss
November 13, 2024 – by NT – Leave a Comment
The producer and composer of the hit song “We Are the World” has left behind a legacy not only as a pioneering musician but also as a father.
Quincy Jones died on November 3, 2024, at his home in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, leaving behind seven children. In the days following his passing, his grieving children took to social media to honor their father.
Quincy Jones presenting Amanda Booth the Global’s Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show in Denver, Colorado, on November 2, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Quincy Jones presenting Amanda Booth the Global’s Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show in Denver, Colorado, on November 2, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Quincy’s death was announced in a statement shared by his representative, Arnold Robinson. However, the cause of death was not disclosed. The composer died aged 91.
His family wrote a touching statement, “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
Quincy Jones and his family, from a post dated September 15, 2023 | Source: Instagram/quincyjones/
Quincy Jones and his family, from a post dated September 15, 2023 | Source: Instagram/quincyjones/
The family also expressed deep admiration and gratitude, reflecting on the unique legacy Quincy leaves behind. They shared how his boundless love and joyful spirit defined him and found a way to resonate across the globe through his creative contributions.
This brings them comfort and pride in this time of loss. “Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity,” they added.
Quincy Jones and his family, from a post dated September 15, 2023 | Source: Instagram/quincyjones/
Quincy Jones and his family, from a post dated September 15, 2023 | Source: Instagram/quincyjones/
Aside from the statement, some of Quincy’s kids have also paid tribute to him on social media. He was a father to Jolie Jones Levine, Rachel Jones, Martina Jones, Quincy Jones III, Kidada Jones, Rashida Jones, and Kenya-Kinski Jones.
Jolie shared a tribute to her late father by reposting an Instagram story originally shared by composer Raphael Eligoulachvili on his Instagram stories. The story featured an embedded post from Quincy celebrating Jolie’s birthday.
Quincy Jones celebrates Jolie Jones Levine on her birthday from a post dated October 4, 2023 | Source: Instagram/quincyjones/
Quincy Jones celebrates Jolie Jones Levine on her birthday from a post dated October 4, 2023 | Source: Instagram/quincyjones/
The nostalgic post showed a young Jolie seated at a piano with her father leaning over, guiding her as she played. Quincy’s message read, “Happiest of all birthdays to my 1st born baby, @jolieannejones! Love U always & forever honey. Here’s to all the b-e-a-utiful memories we’ve made & will continue to make together!…xxoo…ALL my ❤️.”
In her repost, Jolie added a simple and touching message, “🙏 Quincy 🤍🕊️,” expressing her love for her late father.
Jolie Jones Levine pays tribute to Quincy Jones on her Instagram stories on November 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jolieannejones/
Jolie Jones Levine pays tribute to Quincy Jones on her Instagram stories on November 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jolieannejones/
Jones III, who is the legendary singer’s fourth child, also paid tribute to his father. He shared a heartfelt Instagram post with a photo of the two together, honoring his father’s memory following his passing. Jones III captioned the post, ” 🤲🏾💜🤲🏾🕊️.”
Jones III also reposted two posts on his Instagram stories. One was a video shared by Nicole Avant, showing Clarence Avant and Quincy sharing a playful moment of laughter as they reminisced. Clarence was a manager, entrepreneur, facilitator, and adviser, who helped launch and guide Quincy’s career.
Quincy Jones III reposts a tribute to Quincy Jones on his Instagram stories on November 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/therealqd3/
Quincy Jones III reposts a tribute to Quincy Jones on his Instagram stories on November 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/therealqd3/
Nicole, who is the daughter of the late Clarence, wrote an emotional tribute to accompany the post, “Best Friends. Soulmates. I just know Clarence greeted you with some ice cubes and a glass of Petrus 🥂🙏🏽”
Another post that Jones III shared in his Instagram stories was from Culture Machine, a broadcasting and media production company. The post featured a video of Quincy passionately discussing the transcendent power of music.
Quincy Jones III reposts a tribute to Quincy Jones on his Instagram stories on November 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/therealqd3/
Quincy Jones III reposts a tribute to Quincy Jones on his Instagram stories on November 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/therealqd3/
Culture Machine captioned it, “Quincy Jones always understood that music transcends the senses — it’s a force that comes from the heavens and echoes through time. His melodies touched our souls and will continue to shape the rhythm of the universe. Rest in power, Quincy.”
Just as his kids have shown their adoration for their father, Quincy also always showered his children with love. He shared this sentiment right up until his passing. Just hours before he died, on November 2, 2024, he posted a heartfelt tribute to his daughter Martina on her birthday.
In the post, Quincy was seated, while a smiling Martina leaned over, capturing a sweet, tender moment between them. Quincy wrote, “Happy Birthday to my Tina Beena @martinafotos1!! 🎉. So proud to be yo papa! Big hug, I love you eternally 🫶🏾💜.” The joy and pride in Quincy’s eyes were unmistakable.
Each of Quincy’s children has forged their own successful path, showcasing their individuality and talents. Rashida Jones once admitted that her experience with their dad was completely different from that of her siblings, but they all share a common thread of achievement in their respective fields.
While Rashida is arguably the most well-known of Jones’ children, her sisters and brother have also carved their own paths in entertainment and other industries, despite how they grew up. For example, Kidada made a name for herself in the fashion world, while Jones III followed in his father’s footsteps.
Additionally, Kenya graced the runways for top fashion houses. In contrast, Quincy’s other three children opted for a life away from the spotlight after dabbling in entertainment briefly. Let’s discover more about Rashida and her siblings!
Rashida Jones: An Actress and the Most Famous of 7 Children
Rashida is the youngest daughter of actress Peggy Lipton and Quincy. She was born in Los Angeles, California, on February 25, 1976, and grew up in Bel Air. However, the actress had to admit that even with privilege, things were hard for her family due to her parents’ mixed-race marriage.
Peggy Lipton, Rashida and Quincy Jones at the after party for ‘Celeste And Jesse Forever’ at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival held at Luxe Hotel in Los Angeles, California on June 21, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
Peggy Lipton, Rashida and Quincy Jones at the after party for ‘Celeste And Jesse Forever’ at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival held at Luxe Hotel in Los Angeles, California on June 21, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
Nevertheless, Rashida credits them for being able to find her voice, as they instilled self-confidence from early on. She also acknowledges that, unlike her older siblings, she managed to get the best of her father because she got to spend a lot of time with him at home while she was growing up.
The actress explained, “My dad was a different parent to each one of them. I think my older sister would say he was never around. I have siblings who grew up in Sweden, when my dad and their mom got divorced, and they came to live with us eventually, but my dad was around a lot for me.”
Kidada Jones: A Model Who Dated Tupac Shakur
Kidada, who was born on March 22, 1974, in Los Angeles, California, shares both parents with Rashida. The two were raised under Reformed Jewish traditions.
Unfortunately, Kidada had many difficulties in childhood, especially with fitting in with her peers. This resulted in her being kicked out of 11 schools by the time she was 15. Things only improved after she began working with renowned designer Tommy Hilfiger when she was 19.
Kidada Jones with her father Quincy Jones at Samsung Gleam Private dinner at Tao Restaurant, September 8, 2007, Las Vegas, Nevada | Source: Getty Images
Kidada Jones with her father Quincy Jones at Samsung Gleam Private dinner at Tao Restaurant, September 8, 2007, Las Vegas, Nevada | Source: Getty Images
Although she has been involved in other industries aside from modeling, such as acting, her biggest contribution has been to the fashion industry.
She worked for prestigious magazines like Elle and Vogue and even styled A-listers, such as the late Michael Jackson. Interestingly, Kidada had been dating Tupac Shakur for several months before his tragic passing.
Kidada Jones at the Rogan For Target Debut at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills, California on May 15, 2008 | Source: Getty Images
Kidada Jones at the Rogan For Target Debut at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills, California on May 15, 2008 | Source: Getty Images
Kenya Kinski Jones: Another Successful Model
Kenya was born on February 9, 1993, in Los Angeles. Her mother is Nastassja Kinski, a German actress and model, who was dating Quincy at the time. Along with the six paternal half-siblings, Kenya has two more half-siblings, including Sonja Kinski, from her mother’s side.
Kenya Kinski-Jones at CHANEL Cruise 2022/23 Collection in Miami at Faena Beach on November 04, 2022, in Miami Beach, Florida | Source: Getty Images
Kenya Kinski-Jones at CHANEL Cruise 2022/23 Collection in Miami at Faena Beach on November 04, 2022, in Miami Beach, Florida | Source: Getty Images
Kenya reportedly obtained a bachelor of arts degree in Journalism from Loyola Marymount University in 2015. However, she has spent a huge part of her professional life walking down the runway for some of the world’s biggest fashion houses, including Chanel, where she made her debut.
She was discovered by Bruce Weber, who had been working as a photographer for her mother and encouraged her to follow in her footsteps into modeling. As a result, she signed under various agencies such as The Lions and Ford Models, Paris, and has appeared in several fashion magazines.
Quincy Jones III: A Producer
Jones III was born on December 23, 1968, to a Swedish mother, Ulla Andersson, and was raised in Stockholm. In time, he followed in his father’s footsteps into entertainment.
He developed a passion for hip-hop at a very young age and showed it by participating in break-dancing tours. At 13, Jones III was introduced to the world of music production after receiving his first drum machine. Three years later, he moved to New York to become a music producer.
Quincy Jones III arrives at the Wanna Make A Change – An Alternative Intervention Models (A.I.M.) Benefit, held in West Hollywood, California on December 3, 2009 | Source: Getty Images
Quincy Jones III arrives at the Wanna Make A Change – An Alternative Intervention Models (A.I.M.) Benefit, held in West Hollywood, California on December 3, 2009 | Source: Getty Images
Although his father was also a big-time producer, Jones III still had to put in hard work to make it in the industry. He attended the Berklee College of Music to understand better how to use studio technology. Afterward, he worked with many renowned artists, including Dr. Dre and Ice Cube.
Martina Jones: A Photographer
Martina shares the same mother as Jones III, and like him, she was also raised in Sweden, where they moved after their parents’ divorce in 1975.
During her late teenage years, she returned to the U.S. and began studying dance. After some time, she followed her mother’s career path and became a model, a pattern seen in some of the other siblings. Once she retired from catwalks, she turned to photography.
Although she did not become as famous in her professional life compared to her younger sisters, she still made a good name for herself in the industry.
Rachel Jones: A Veterinarian
Rachel was born in 1963 from Quincy’s affair with Carol Reynolds after separating from his first wife, Jeri Caldwell.
Her mother was a professional dancer, but Rachel is the only one of Rashida’s siblings who did not follow in any of her parents’ careers. Instead, she took a different path by going into medicine to care for animals.
She earned her veterinary degree in 1999 after attending the Tuskegee School of Veterinary Medicine. She later opened an animal hospital in Marina del Rey in Los Angeles.
Jolie Jones Levine: An Activist
Jolie’s mother was Quincy’s first wife, Jeri. Unlike several of her younger siblings, she didn’t make a huge name for herself in modeling, but it was still part of her professional formation.
She began that path at the age of 15, working for Ford Models in New York. Later, she explored other pursuits, like singing and writing. But activism would become her real passion later.
Her goal is to bring public attention to the issues surrounding people’s exposure to radio frequencies emitted by daily gadgets such as cell phones and Wi-Fi routers, among many others. This is because she, herself, suffers from a condition known as Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity.
