Meet James Daniel Sundquist: The Life of Jimi Hendrix’s Secret Son

Jack Harris 2 days ago

8 minutes read

Many people know the name Jimi Hendrix. He was one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time. His music is still loved by millions even today in 2026. But not many people know that Jimi Hendrix had a son.

His name is James Daniel Sundquist, and his life is very different from his famous father’s. He was born in Sweden, far from the bright lights of Hollywood or rock concerts. Instead of fame, James chose to live a quiet and private life.

In this article, we’ll talk about who James Daniel Sundquist really is. We’ll look at how he was born, how he’s connected to Hendrix, and why he became known as “the secret son” of a music legend. We’ll also talk about his life journey, the court cases, his personal identity, and much more.

Table of Contents

Who Is James Daniel Sundquist?

James Daniel Sundquist was born on October 5, 1969. He was born in Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden. His father was the famous American guitarist Jimi Hendrix, and his mother is a Swedish woman named Eva Sundquist.

James has a mixed background. His father was African-American, and his mother is white and Swedish. This means James has both American and European roots. But even though he is the son of a global music icon, he has lived most of his life quietly, away from public attention.

In 2026, James is 56 years old. He still lives in Sweden and keeps a low profile. Many people are surprised when they hear about him because his name is not often seen in the media. That’s why people sometimes call him the “hidden son” or “secret son” of Jimi Hendrix.

Early Life of James Daniel Sundquist

James Daniel Sundquist was born on October 5, 1969, in Stockholm, Sweden. His mother is Eva Sundquist, a Swedish woman who met Jimi Hendrix while he was touring Europe. James grew up in Sweden, far from the spotlight and music fame of his father. From a young age, he was raised by his mother in a quiet, normal environment.

Even though his father was a world-famous rock star, James did not grow up in a rich or flashy lifestyle. He lived a simple childhood, just like any other Swedish kid. Most people around him didn’t even know who his father was. That made his early life peaceful, but also very private.

James never met his father, Jimi Hendrix, because Hendrix passed away when James was less than a year old. This shaped a big part of his life. He grew up hearing about his father through stories, photos, and music — but never through personal memories. That missing connection stayed with him as he got older.

How Did Jimi Hendrix Meet His Mother?

Jimi Hendrix met Eva Sundquist, James’s mother, in 1968. They met in a very normal way — while riding a tram in Stockholm, Sweden. At that time, Hendrix was touring with his band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

After their first meeting, Hendrix came back to Stockholm in January 1969. This is when he and Eva started dating. Their relationship didn’t last long, but it was real. From that short relationship, James was born in October 1969.

This story shows how two people from different parts of the world came together for a short time. Even though they didn’t stay together, their meeting changed everything — it led to the birth of James Daniel Sundquist, the only son of Jimi Hendrix.

Did Jimi Hendrix Ever Meet His Son?

Sadly, Jimi Hendrix never got the chance to meet James Daniel Sundquist in person. Hendrix had plans to travel to Sweden in 1970 to meet his son for the first time. But before he could do that, something tragic happened.

On September 18, 1970, Jimi Hendrix died in London. He was only 27 years old. Reports say he died from choking after taking sleeping pills and alcohol. His sudden death shocked the world and ended the chance of him meeting his son.

Because of this, James grew up without ever meeting his father. He only knew Jimi Hendrix from photos, music, and stories. This is one of the most emotional parts of his story — a son who never got to meet his famous father.

Court Case About James ‘ Father

Even though Hendrix died without meeting his son, James Daniel Sundquist was legally recognized as Jimi Hendrix’s son. In 1975, a court in Sweden ruled that Jimi Hendrix was indeed the father of James, based on the information they had.

But things were different in the United States. James wanted to be legally accepted as Jimi Hendrix’s son there too. This was important because it meant he could be part of Hendrix’s estate — which was worth a lot of money.

James didn’t have a DNA test, and U.S. laws were stricter. So, in 1994, when he went to court in Los Angeles to claim his rights, the judge said no. The court did not accept the Swedish ruling. James was not allowed to be part of the Hendrix estate in the U.S.

James’s Fight for Jimi’s Estate

In 1994, James Daniel Sundquist took a bold step. He filed a lawsuit against his grandfather, Al Hendrix — who had inherited all of Jimi Hendrix’s estate. James wanted the court to recognize him as Jimi’s biological son and give him a fair share of the estate.

The estate was very valuable, estimated to be worth over $30 million at the time. James believed he had a right to be part of that legacy, both as a son and as someone who carried Hendrix’s name and blood.

Sadly, the court did not accept his claim. The judge said there was no strong legal proof under U.S. law, since there was no DNA test. After the case, James said something that touched many people:

“I’m not angry with Al. I just feel I’ve been treated unfairly. I want people to know that I am not a fake.”

What Happened to James After the Case?

After losing the court case in 1994, James Daniel Sundquist did not go back to court again. He did not try to fight for the estate a second time. Instead, he stepped away from the public eye and chose to live quietly in Sweden.

Many people expected him to stay in the news because of his famous father. But that did not happen. James did not give many interviews. He did not try to become famous. He simply went back to his normal life in Stockholm.

This shows something important about James Daniel Sundquist. He did not chase fame. He did not try to use the Hendrix name for attention. After the legal fight ended, he chose peace and privacy instead of spotlight and drama.

Did James Change His Name?

Years after the court case, new reports began to appear. Some sources said that James Daniel Sundquist went through a gender transition and started living as a woman named Nicole Hendrix.

These reports came out in the early 2000s. His mother, Eva Sundquist, shared that her child was taking hormone treatment at the time. She also said it was not easy, because even in Sweden, people did not always understand such personal changes.

However, James himself never publicly confirmed or denied this. He did not speak about it in interviews. So today, in 2026, many people still wonder about this part of his life. But one thing is clear — he has chosen to keep his personal life private.

Meet James Daniel Sundquist’s Siblings?

James Daniel Sundquist has a half-sister. Her name is Tamika Laurice Hendrix. She was born in 1967 in the United States, two years before James was born.

Tamika is also believed to be Jimi Hendrix’s child. However, just like James, she was not fully accepted into the official Hendrix estate. The family story is complex and has many legal layers.

There is no public record showing a close relationship between James and Tamika. They have lived separate lives in different countries. So even though they share the same father, they did not grow up together or appear publicly as siblings.

How Does James (Nicole) Look Like?

Many people who have seen photos of James Daniel Sundquist say he looks very much like Jimi Hendrix. He has similar facial features and the same mixed background look.

His father had African-American and Cherokee roots. James inherited some of those same strong features. This resemblance made many fans believe even more strongly that he was truly Hendrix’s son.

But even though people talk about how much he looks like his father, James never used that resemblance to gain attention. He stayed quiet and did not try to appear in music events or public shows connected to Hendrix’s name.

What Is James Doing Now?

As of 2026, James Daniel Sundquist still lives in Stockholm, Sweden. He keeps his life very private. He is not active on social media. There are no verified Instagram or public accounts connected to him.

Some older reports say that during his college years, he started a small tech company. But there are no strong public details about this. His job or career today is not clearly known.

He has never been married. There are no public records showing that he has children. He has chosen a simple and quiet life. Even though he is connected to one of the biggest names in rock music, he lives like an ordinary person.

Final Thoughts

The story of James Daniel Sundquist is very unique. He was born to one of the greatest musicians in history. But he did not grow up with fame, money, or a big music career.

Instead, his life became known because of court cases, questions about identity, and the search for recognition. Even after losing the legal battle, he did not try to stay in the spotlight. He stepped away and built a quiet life.

In 2026, his story still makes people curious. Who is he really? How did he feel growing up without meeting his father? What choices shaped his life? These questions remain. But one thing is clear — James Daniel Sundquist chose privacy over fame, and that decision defines his life more than anything else.