Quincy Jones
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Awards and Honors
Jones’s extensive career earned him widespread recognition. He long held the record for being the most Grammy-nominated individual in history, with 80 nominations and 28 wins, including the Grammy Legend Award in 1991. In 2013, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Quick Facts
- Height
- 5' 6"
- Date of Birth
- March 14, 1933
- Birth Place
- Chicago, IL
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- Marital Status
- Divorced
- Profession
- Record Producer, Singer, and Film Producer
- Children
- 7, including Quincy III, Kidada, and Rashida Jones
- Nationality
- American
- Ethnicity
- African-Welsh-Ashkenazi Jewish
- Education
- Garfield High School, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
- Net Worth 2021
- 500 million
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People Mentioned in This Biography
In 1968, Jones and his songwriting partner Bob Russell became the first African Americans nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Jones received a total of seven Oscar nominations, tying him for the second-most nominations among African Americans, behind Denzel Washington’s ten nominations for acting and producing roles.
Philanthropy and Social Impact
A dedicated philanthropist, Jones began his activism in the 1960s, notably supporting the civil rights movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Over time, he founded multiple initiatives aimed at promoting arts and music education for Black Americans. Jones supported a wide array of charitable organizations, including the NAACP, GLAAD, AmfAR, HealthCorps, and We Are the Future—all reflecting his commitment to humanitarian and cultural causes.
Net Worth
Though he faced financial instability early in his career, Jones's continued success in music, television, film, and publishing established him as one of the wealthiest figures in the entertainment industry. His estimated net worth was approximately $400 million.
Personal Life and Family
Quincy Jones was born to Quincy Delight Jones Sr., a carpenter and semi-professional baseball player, and Sarah Frances, a bank officer. After his parents divorced, his father remarried Elvera Jones, and the family grew to include three step-siblings. His paternal grandmother was born into slavery in Kentucky, a testament to the resilience and legacy that shaped Jones’s outlook on life.
Spouses and Children
Jones was married three times. His first marriage was to Jeri Caldwell from 1957 to 1966. He later married Swedish actress Ulla Andersson, with whom he had two children. Following their divorce in 1974, he married actress Peggy Lipton; their marriage lasted until 1990. In total, Jones had seven children—six daughters and one son. Among them is actress Rashida Jones, his daughter with Lipton, who co-produced the 2018 biographical documentary Quincy, offering an intimate look at his life and legacy.
Death
Quincy Jones died on November 3, 2024, at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, at the age of 91.
