- David Bowie’s legacy extends beyond his timeless music and cultural impact. It lives on through his two grown-up children.
- The inheritance left by the star tells a story of love and remembrance, divided equally between his offspring.
- A glimpse into the lives of Bowie’s heirs and the bond they share with their late father through photographs.
David Bowie, circa 1989 | Source: Getty Images
David Bowie wasn’t just a musician; he was a legend who shaped music, fashion, and art. He stood out by constantly changing his image and sound, which kept him relevant for over five decades. His characters, like Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke, fascinated people and made him a music pioneer.
David Bowie performs during the Ziggy Stardust tour on May 12, 1973 | Source: Getty Images
But beyond his public life, Bowie was also a devoted father to his two children, Duncan Jones and Alexandria Zahra Jones. After his passing, he left them a significant inheritance. His children continue to honor their father’s memory through their achievements and tributes, showing how much he meant to them.
Early Life and Career of David Bowie
Delving into his early life and career, we see the origins of his genius, beginning in the vibrant streets of Brixton. That is where a young Bowie first discovered his passion for music.
Young David Bowie performs with his first band in 1963 | Source: Getty Images
Born David Robert Jones, Bowie came into the world on January 8, 1947, in Brixton, South London, England. From a young age, Bowie showed a keen interest in music.
David Bowie in 1968 | Source: Getty Images
At the age of 13, he began playing the saxophone, setting the stage for his future musical career. After graduating high school at 16, he worked as a commercial artist while continuing to pursue music.
David Bowie poses with a model in 1963 | Source: Getty Images
He joined several bands and released a few singles, though none achieved significant commercial success. To avoid confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees, David adopted the stage name Bowie.
David Bowie performs in March 1966 | Source: Getty Images
Bowie’s breakthrough came with the release of “Space Oddity” in 1969, which became his first hit. The song launched him into the spotlight, and he began his journey as one of music’s most innovative and influential figures.
David Bowie promotes the release of his album “Space Oddity” in November 1969 | Source: Getty Images
As he continued to build his music career and captivated audiences with his otherworldly alter egos, Bowie was also keen on building a family.
Bowie’s Personal Life
Bowie’s personal life was as intriguing as his musical career. He married Angela Barnett on March 20, 1970. The couple had one son together, born in 1971, whom they nicknamed Duncan “Zowie” Jones. Their marriage lasted until 1980, after which they divorced.
David Bowie, his ex-wife Angela and their son Zowie on February 17, 1974 | Source: Getty Images
In 1992, Bowie married Somali-American supermodel Iman. Their marriage was filled with deep mutual respect and love. Bowie and Iman welcomed their daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones, affectionately known as Lexi, in August 2000.
David Bowie and his wife Iman on July 10, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
Bowie, who was 53 at the time of Lexi’s birth, expressed immense joy and excitement about becoming a father again, having waited for the right moment in their lives to welcome a child. Bowie was a loving and devoted father to both his children.
Duncan “Zowie” Jones’ Relationship with Bowie
Bowie’s only son Duncan Jones was born on May 30, 1971. Known as “Zowie” during his childhood, Duncan later chose to use his birth name. Growing up, Duncan had a close relationship with his father, who encouraged his creative pursuits.
Duncan Jones in 1986 | Source: Getty Images
Bowie’s love for cinema influenced Duncan deeply, and they would often make stop-motion animations together using “Star Wars” figurines. Bowie also hoped Duncan would follow in his musical footsteps, but he ultimately supported his decision to pursue filmmaking.
David Bowie supports his son Duncan Jones during the premiere of his film “Moon” on April 30, 2009 | Source: Getty Images
Duncan carved out a successful career as a film director. His debut feature film, “Moon” (2009), received critical acclaim and established him as a talented filmmaker.
David Bowie and Duncan Jones attend the premiere of “Moon” on January 23, 2009 | Source: Getty Images
He continued to direct notable films such as “Source Code” (2011) and “Mute” (2018). Despite Bowie’s hopes for Duncan to become a rock star, he was proud of his son’s accomplishments in the film industry.
Duncan Jones attends the “Source Code” premiere on March 11, 2011 | Source: Getty Images
Like his father, Duncan is a family man. He married Rodene Ronquillo in 2012 after dating for a long time. The couple faced significant challenges, including Rodene’s breast cancer diagnosis when she was 32.
Immediately after she was diagnosed on November 7, 2012, Duncan rushed her to the courthouse and married her. He even shaved his head in solidarity with her as she started chemotherapy treatment, declaring, “I love my wife more than anyone.”
Duncan Jones and Rodene Ronquillo on February 21, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
Despite these difficulties, they have built a loving family and welcomed two children. In February 2016, just a month after Bowie died, Duncan announced the upcoming birth of their first child with a touching tribute.
Duncan Jones on June 6, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
“1 month since Dad died today. Made this card for him at Christmas. Due in June. Circle of life. Love you, granddad,” he wrote. The card he referred to was a simple, black-and-white drawing depicting a fetus inside a womb.
The fetus was drawn with exaggerated, comical features, including a wide toothy grin and expressive eyes. There was an umbilical cord attached to the fetus, and a speech bubble coming from its mouth that read, “I’M WAITING.”
Later, in April 2018, he announced they were expecting a girl and revealed her name as Zowie Tala Mabsie Jones. “About time SOMEONE made use of my middle name, even if I wasn’t ready to!” he joked.
Duncan speaks fondly of his father. When Bowie was still alive, The film director revealed that he often visited him in Manhattan where he lived with Iman and Lexi. With his dad gone, he pays tribute to him on social media, sharing heartfelt memories and expressing his deep love and admiration for him.
On the fifth anniversary of Bowie’s death, Duncan posted a black star against a white background, saying, “Today marks 5 years since dad died. We are all a little sad, coping individually in our own ways. But it’s both remarkable & delightful that Dad is still so clearly loved by so many. Yes, he’s missed… but with so much of ‘him’ in the work he made, he’s clearly still here.”
Duncan Jones receives the Mastercard British Album of the Year award on behalf of his father David Bowie at The BRIT Awards on February 22, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
Fans of Duncan have also expressed their admiration and affection for him, often drawing parallels between him and his late father. To a throwback side-by-side picture of Bowie and Duncan, one fan on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “Duncan is a fabulous man.”
Comments on Facebook included, “Beautiful picture just looks like dad amazing,” and “Very handsome like his dad. My idol.”
Bowie’s relationship with his son was a testament to his nurturing spirit, encouraging Duncan’s creative endeavors from a young age. Bowie’s support for Duncan’s path, despite his musical legacy, highlights the depth of his role as a father even to his daughter.
Alexandria Zahra “Lexi” Jones
Alexandria Zahra Jones, known as Lexi, was born on August 15, 2000, to Bowie and his supermodel wife, Iman. Bowie, who was 53 at the time, was overjoyed at her birth. His spokesman even revealed to the media that Bowie “assisted in the delivery and cut the umbilical cord.”
Iman and David Bowie October 15, 2009 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
He and Iman had waited for the right moment in their lives to welcome a child. He revealed that they ensured they could be fully present during her early years.
Alexandra Jones as seen in a carousel post dated May 11, 2024 | Source: Instagram/ _p0odle_
Bowie’s family life with Iman and Lexi was characterized by normalcy and love. Despite his fame, Bowie enjoyed everyday activities with his family. Iman once described their life as “very normal,” explaining that she cooked dinner every night, and took Lexi to music and dance lessons.
She also shared that Bowie and Lexi would play music together all the time. This strong family bond remained a central part of Bowie’s life, even as he continued to push creative boundaries in his career.
Lexi has grown into a talented young woman, pursuing her passions in the arts. She is an artist who sells branded merchandise, including shirts, bags, and pillowcases, through her website.
Her artistic abilities extend to writing poetry and creating music, which she often shares with her fans on Instagram. On February 16, 2021, she posted an audio clip of a song she wrote, expressing her nervousness about sharing it.
Her caption read, “I’m absolutely terrified to post this. I keep going back and forth between hating it and liking it. So here’s a snippet of an untitled, unfinished, very drunken rough take of a song I’m proud of on a good day.”
Fans responded with praise, including comments like, “You are SO talented. SENSATIONAL!!!” and “You are one of the very few children of legendary singers that can actually sing. You could have a career in music without the ‘name.’ Keep going princess, beautiful voice!”
Lexi’s relationship with her father was very close, and she often shares memories of him on social media. On January 11, 2023, she posted a video of herself and Bowie playing piano together and a photo of him holding her with a big smile on his face.
Alexandra Jones with her dad David Bowie as seen in a carousel post dated January 11, 2023 | Source: Instagram/ _p0odle_
She captioned the post, “7 years ago today. I miss you ❤️,” highlighting the deep bond they shared. Lexi’s heartfelt posts resonate with fans who continue to admire her and the legacy of her father.
As Lexi has matured, she has grown into a beautiful young woman, drawing admiration for her looks as well as her talents. In a recent Instagram post, she shared a picture of herself dressed in a black off-the-shoulder top, her dark hair styled with bangs framing her face.
Fans quickly noted her striking resemblance to her father, with comments like, “Daddie’s eyes,” “Soo beautiful. Wow,” and “Oh God! What a stunning lady!”
Lexi’s talents and tributes to her father keep Bowie’s memory alive. Her art and music reflect the profound influence her father had on her life. Through her creative work and personal reflections, Lexi ensures that Bowie’s legacy endures, touching the hearts of both long-time admirers and new fans.
As we look back on Lexi’s growth and how she reflects her father’s creative soul, we come to the solemn story of Bowie’s last days. His spirit of creativity and strength was most vivid when he bravely faced his final challenges.
David Bowie’s Death and Legacy
Bowie’s death on January 10, 2016, came as a shock to the world. He had kept his illness a secret, sharing the news only with his closest family and a few collaborators.
Bowie was diagnosed with cancer and had been undergoing treatment, but he discovered his condition was terminal only three months before he passed away. During this time, he continued to work on his final album, “Blackstar,” and his musical “Lazarus,” showing his dedication to his art even in his final days.
David Bowie performs in 2010 | Source: Getty Images
The music icon’s death was announced on his Facebook page. “David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief,” the statement read.
Duncan also confirmed the news on Twitter, writing, “Very sorry and sad to say it’s true. I’ll be offline for a while. Love to all.”
Following his death, it was revealed that Bowie left an estate estimated to be worth $100 million. In his will, he specified that his wife, Iman, and his two children were to receive significant portions of his estate.
Iman received 50 percent of the estate, along with their shared apartment in SoHo, New York. Duncan and Alexandria each received 25 percent of the estate. Additionally, Bowie left $2 million to his personal assistant, Corinne Coco Schwab, and $1 million to Marion Skene, who had been Duncan’s nanny.
David Bowie on May 5, 2003 | Source: Getty Images
Alexandria, who was 15 at the time of Bowie’s death, inherited her father’s estate on Little Tonshi Mountain near Woodstock, New York. Reports suggest that Bowie made the decision to sign his will after suffering a heart attack in 2004. Bowie also requested that he be cremated and his ashes scattered in Bali during a Buddhist ritual.
David Bowie at the 11th Annual Webby Awards on June 5, 2007 | Source: Getty Images
David Bowie’s careful planning and the generous provisions in his will demonstrate his love and commitment to his family. By leaving substantial inheritances to beloved children, he ensured that his children were well provided for.
His legacy lives on through them and they have continued to honor their father’s memory in meaningful ways, ensuring that his influence remains strong even after his passing.