In the shadow of a global rock and roll icon, a quiet life unfolds in Stockholm. James Daniel Sundquist, a name known to music historians and legal scholars, carries a legacy he never personally knew. Born to legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix and Swedish woman Eva Sundquist, his life story is a complex tapestry of legal recognition, personal privacy, and a famous lineage he has largely stepped away from.
The Origins of a Rock & Roll Heir
James Daniel Sundquist was born on 5 October 1969 in Stockholm, Sweden. As of December 2025, he is 56 years old. His parents' story began a year earlier, in 1968, when Jimi Hendrix was on tour in Stockholm. Hendrix met Eva Sundquist, then a secondary school student. Their brief relationship resulted in James's birth.
Tragically, Jimi Hendrix died in London on 18 September 1970, when his son was less than a year old. This meant the legendary musician never had the opportunity to meet his biological child. The question of paternity, however, would shape much of James's early life.
A Lifetime of Legal Recognition and Denial
The journey to establish his identity was fraught with legal hurdles. In a significant ruling, a Swedish court legally recognised James Daniel Sundquist as the son of Jimi Hendrix in 1975. This provided him with official acknowledgment in his home country.
However, recognition in the United States, where his father's substantial estate was managed, proved elusive. In 1994, Sundquist filed a lawsuit seeking a share of the Jimi Hendrix estate. The case was closely followed by media outlets like Rolling Stone. U.S. courts ultimately did not recognise him as a legal heir. The estate passed to Jimi's father, Al Hendrix, as the rock star died without a will.
Following the court's decision, James expressed his feelings, stating, "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."
A Private Life and Personal Transitions
Despite the global fame of his father, James Daniel Sundquist has chosen a path of remarkable privacy. He continues to reside in Stockholm, Sweden, and has consistently stayed out of the public spotlight.
His personal life has been the subject of some media reports. According to sources like Musiclipse, at the age of 32, James underwent gender reassignment surgery and changed his name to Nicole Hendrix. His mother, Eva Sundquist, has spoken about the challenges faced during this transition, noting the difficulties within Swedish society at the time. She was quoted saying, "It is very difficult for him. Most of Europe is very liberal. But here in Sweden, such behaviour is still a taboo subject. He has been pretty depressed lately."
Family Ties and Sibling Dynamics
On his father's side, James Daniel Sundquist has a half-sister, Tamika Hendrix, born to Jimi Hendrix and Diana Carpenter in 1967. Reports indicate that the two half-siblings never developed a close relationship.
James's own relationship status is listed as single, and he is not publicly known to have any children. He maintains a low profile, with no active presence on major social media platforms like Instagram.
The story of James Daniel Sundquist is ultimately one of duality. He is a man legally recognised as the son of one of music's most revolutionary figures, yet he has spent a lifetime navigating the complexities of that inheritance from a distance. From the courtrooms of Sweden and America to a quiet life in Stockholm, his narrative remains a unique and poignant footnote in the enduring legend of Jimi Hendrix.
