Quincy Jones' Cause of Death Revealed

As tributes for Quincy Jones continue to pour in, new details about the legendary producer's passing have come to light revealing the quiet struggle the iconic producer endured in the final years of his extraordinary life.

The world continues to mourn Quincy Jones' death. The legendary music producer and composer passed away on November 3 at the age of 91. His impact on music and culture remains immeasurable, with fans continuing to honor his legacy.

Quincy's cause of death has now been confirmed as pancreatic cancer, according to a death certificate obtained by USA TODAY. The document revealed that Quincy had been battling the disease for years before passing away.

A week after his death, Quincy was laid to rest in a private ceremony at a Los Angeles-area cemetery. The intimate gathering included his seven children, two sisters, his brother, and close family members, as shared in a statement to the Associated Press.

However, the family chose not to disclose the cemetery's location, prioritizing privacy during their time of grief. They expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming tributes and messages of sympathy pouring in from friends, fans, and admirers around the globe.

To celebrate his extraordinary life and contributions, the family announced plans for a larger, public memorial to be held at a later date.

Quincy died at his home in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, surrounded by his family, leaving behind seven children. In the days following his passing, his grieving children took to social media to honor their father.

Quincy's death was announced in a statement shared by his representative, Arnold Robinson. However, the cause of death was not disclosed at the time.

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."

The family also expressed deep admiration and gratitude, reflecting on the unique legacy that Quincy has left 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.

"Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones' heart will beat for eternity," they added.

Aside from the statement, some of Quincy's kids 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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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."

Actress Rashida Jones, one of Quincy's famous children also honored him with a heartfelt Instagram tribute, offering an intimate look at their close bond. Along with her message, she shared a photo of herself as a baby with her dad, who looked back at her gently.

The 43-year-old "The Office" star recalled that Quincy was "nocturnal," keeping "jazz hours" and dedicating late nights to his music—a routine he began in high school and maintained throughout his life.

"When I was little, I would wake up in the middle of the night to search for him. Undoubtedly, he would be somewhere in the house, composing (old school, with a pen and sheet music). He would never send me back to bed," she shared.

Instead, Quincy would welcome her into his arms as he continued working, and Rashida added, "There was no safer place in the world for me."

Rashida also described her father as "a giant, an icon, a culture shifter, a genius." Yet, above all, she emphasized his most defining trait.

"All accurate descriptions of my father but his music (and ALL of his work) was a channel for his love. He WAS love. He made everyone he ever met feel loved and seen. That's his legacy [sic]," she said.

Rashida expressed gratitude for experiencing her father's love up close, saying she would miss his hugs, kisses, unwavering devotion, and guidance. "Daddy, it is an honor to be your daughter. Your love lives forever," she wrote.

Quincy's death comes after Rashida's mother, actress Peggy Lipton, known for her roles in "The Mod Squad" and "Twin Peaks," passed away in 2019 at age 72 after a long battle with colon cancer.

Rashida's tribute to her dad highlights her resilience through the loss of both parents and the love and values they instilled in her.

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.

As Quincy's family mourns, they find comfort in his lasting impact, especially on his children. His music, fueled by love, continues to inspire future generations and keeps his legacy alive in the hearts of those he touched.