The Three Wives And 22 Girlfriends: Unpacking Quincy Jones' Legendary Love Life

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The late, great Quincy Jones, who passed away in November 2024, was a titan whose influence stretched across every corner of the entertainment world, from jazz to pop production for Michael Jackson. While his career was defined by an unparalleled 80 Grammy nominations, his personal life was equally legendary, marked by three marriages and a famously candid approach to romance that captivated the public. This deep dive into the marriages of Quincy Jones reveals the women who stood beside the music mogul during his meteoric rise, from his high school sweetheart to a Hollywood actress, and the seven children who are his enduring legacy.

As of late 2024, the narrative surrounding Jones remains fresh, not only due to his recent passing but also the continued relevance of his family, including daughters Rashida and Kidada Jones. The story of his three wives—Jeri Caldwell, Ulla Andersson, and Peggy Lipton—is a testament to a life lived without compromise, blending the demanding schedule of a world-class producer with a search for profound connection.

The Complete Biography of Quincy Jones' Wives and Key Relationships

Quincy Jones, born Quincy Delight Jones Jr., was married three times, with each relationship spanning a significant chapter of his life. Beyond his wives, his seven children were born to five different women, a complex family dynamic that he often spoke about with immense pride and affection. The following is a detailed look at the women who were central to his life.

  • First Wife: Jeri Caldwell
    • Relationship: High School Sweetheart
    • Marriage Dates: 1957–1966 (Divorced)
    • Child: Jolie Jones Levine (born 1953, before marriage)
    • Profession: Actress (minor credit)
    • Notable Update: Jones paid tribute to Caldwell on Instagram following her passing in November 2021.
  • Second Wife: Ulla Andersson (Ulla Agneta Jones)
    • Relationship: Swedish Model and Artist
    • Marriage Dates: 1967–1974 (Divorced)
    • Children: Martina Jones and Quincy Jones III (born 1968 and 1973, respectively)
    • Profession: Swedish model, actress, singer-songwriter, photographer, and author.
  • Third Wife: Peggy Lipton (Margaret Ann Lipton)
    • Relationship: American Actress
    • Marriage Dates: 1974–1990 (Divorced)
    • Children: Kidada Jones and Rashida Jones (born 1974 and 1976, respectively)
    • Profession: Golden Globe-winning actress, famously known for The Mod Squad and Twin Peaks.
    • Notable Update: Passed away on May 11, 2019.
  • Key Long-Term Relationship: Nastassja Kinski
    • Relationship: German Actress
    • Duration: Mid-1990s (Unmarried)
    • Child: Kenya Kinski-Jones (born 1993)
  • Other Children and Mother:
    • Daughter Rachel Jones: Born 1963, mother is dancer Carol Reynolds.

The First Chapter: Jeri Caldwell and the Early Years of Jazz

Quincy Jones’s first marriage was to his high school sweetheart, Jeri Caldwell, a bond that began in his formative years in Seattle. The couple married in 1957, following the birth of their first daughter, Jolie Jones Levine, who would later become a model and environmental activist.

This period of Jones's life was characterized by intense professional ambition and a relentless work ethic. He moved to Paris to work as a staff arranger for Disques Barclay, a move that placed immense strain on the young marriage. Caldwell, who has one minor acting credit to her name, remained a constant presence in the early, foundational years of his career.

The marriage ultimately ended in divorce in 1966, a common casualty of Jones’s "workaholic tendencies and his carousing," as he would later admit. Despite the divorce, Jones maintained a deep respect for his first wife, paying a public tribute to her on social media after her passing in November 2021, calling her his "high school sweetheart."

The daughter from this union, Jolie Jones Levine, has carved out a successful career as a model, singer, and environmental advocate, demonstrating the creative and activist spirit inherited from both parents.

The International Era: Ulla Andersson and the Swedish Connection

Following his divorce from Caldwell, Jones quickly entered his second marriage in 1967 to Swedish model, actress, and artist Ulla Andersson. Born Ulla Agneta Andersson in 1946, she was a prominent figure in the fashion world before meeting Jones at a party for Frank Sinatra in New York.

This marriage coincided with Jones's transition from jazz arranger to a major force in Hollywood film scoring and music production. Ulla and Quincy welcomed two children: Martina Jones and Quincy Jones III.

Ulla Andersson's career is notable for its versatility; she is recognized not only as a Swedish model but also as a singer-songwriter, photographer, and author. Her son, Quincy Jones III, followed directly in his father's footsteps, becoming a successful hip-hop producer and composer, further cementing the family's legacy in the music industry.

The marriage lasted seven years, ending in divorce in 1974. The split was amicable enough that Jones married his third wife, Peggy Lipton, the day after his divorce from Andersson was finalized, illustrating the overlapping and complex nature of his personal life.

Hollywood Royalty: Peggy Lipton and the Blended Family

Quincy Jones's most recognized marriage was to actress Peggy Lipton, a Golden Globe winner famous for her role as Julie Barnes in the hit television series The Mod Squad. Lipton and Jones married in 1974 and quickly became one of Hollywood's most prominent—and scrutinized—interracial couples.

Their union was a creative powerhouse, producing two daughters who would both become successful in their own right: Kidada Jones, an actress and model, and Rashida Jones, a celebrated actress, writer, and filmmaker known for her roles in Parks and Recreation and The Office.

Lipton largely stepped away from her acting career during the marriage to focus on raising their daughters, a decision she later reflected on. The marriage lasted 16 years, ending in divorce in 1990, though they remained close until Lipton’s passing in 2019. Jones credited Lipton with helping him navigate the cultural and social complexities of the time.

Beyond Marriage: The '22 Girlfriends' and a Legacy of Seven Children

While his three wives defined his marital history, Quincy Jones’s later years were characterized by a famously unconventional approach to dating. In a candid 2018 interview with GQ, Jones revealed he had "22 girlfriends" all over the world, a detail that immediately became an iconic part of his love life narrative.

This openness about his personal life is part of the reason his family tree is so diverse and rich. Jones is the father of seven children, born to five different women:

  • Jolie Jones (Mother: Jeri Caldwell)
  • Rachel Jones (Mother: Carol Reynolds)
  • Martina Jones (Mother: Ulla Andersson)
  • Quincy Jones III (Mother: Ulla Andersson)
  • Kidada Jones (Mother: Peggy Lipton)
  • Rashida Jones (Mother: Peggy Lipton)
  • Kenya Kinski-Jones (Mother: actress Nastassja Kinski)

His daughter Kenya Kinski-Jones is the result of a long-term relationship with German actress Nastassja Kinski in the mid-1990s, further illustrating the complexity of his romantic life outside of marriage. This extensive family, including children who are now successful music producers, actors, and models, stands as a testament to the broad influence of Quincy Jones. His legacy is not just in the music he created with legends like Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra, but in the vibrant, talented family he leaves behind.

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