The Many Women On Jimi Hendrix’s Life (Girlfriends List)

The greatest guitarist this planet has ever seen, Jimi Hendrix, blazed trails that no musician had ever done before, in a mere four years. Playing guitar since the age of 15 in his hometown of Seattle, it was after leaving the US Army in 1962 that he began his professional career.

But it was only after four very tough but highly instructive years on the chitlin circuit that, in 1966, Jimi Hendrix’s career and life would change. Moving from New York to London, Jimi Hendrix landed like a true earthquake in the musical culture of the time and soon after, fame would follow.

With fame came money and some luxuries that had eluded Jimi Hendrix throughout his life until then. But Hendrix could never be deprived of two things: his guitar… and women. They were not only his companions, they were in some cases inspirations for some of Jimi Hendrix’s most iconic songs as we will see below.

Although Jimi Hendrix never had a wife and did not marry in his life, he had a lot of girlfriends. This article will compile all the (known) romantic relationships Hendrix had until his tragic death on September 18, 1970. Below is a list of all of Jimi Hendrix’s girlfriends with some history and context for each of them. Obviously, for a star of this magnitude, fitting into the liberal spirit of the ’60s, it was difficult to have a stable relationship and only with one woman at a time, but that was not something that satisfied Hendrix.

And of course, we’re not even considering the groupies, or else we’d have not an article but a thesis on the subject!

Jimi Hendrix’s Girlfriend List

Betty Jean

Jimi Hendrix’s teenage girlfriend came long before he was known as a guitarist. Jimi Hendrix’s teenage girlfriend would come to a sad end with Hendrix’s departure for military service, a choice he had to make to avoid going to prison after being caught driving stolen cars on two occasions.

Jimi Hendrix’s time in the army during the little over 12 months he spent there was very difficult, and apart from the guitar and the long-distance relationship that provided some comfort while it lasted, there wasn’t much else for him. Famous in history is the inscription Jimi Hendrix made on his second guitar, a Danelectro Shorthorn 3012, with the name “Betty Jean“.

Lithofayne Pridgon

Not long after arriving in New York, Jimi Hendrix met Lithofayne Pridgon, his first Harlem girlfriend. Fayne was a beautiful African American woman who had grown up on the streets and was known as a “groupie.”

Jimi Hendrix frequently talked about his old high school girlfriend Betty Jean. In Pridgeon’s Gallery article, Faye described her relationship with Hendrix as one based on sex: “All our activity took place in bed.” Jimi’s sexual appetite was insatiable, according to Pridgeon.

Jimi Hendrix’s electrifying anthem “Foxy Lady” has long been celebrated for its iconic riffs and soul-stirring energy. While many assume Kathy Etchingham inspired the track, the true muse was the enigmatic Lithofayne Pridgon.

In September 1966, Jimi Hendrix left for England, where he’d find success and fame. Yet, the ties with Lithofayne persisted. Even amid the bustling London scene, recording for his debut album, “Foxy Lady,” Jimi deep, abiding love for Lithofayne became evident.

Diane Carpenter

In 1966, Diane Carpenter crossed paths with the Jimi Hendrix when she was just sixteen and working as a prostitute. Their encounter sparked a romance, but their financial struggles soon became a serious issue. Diana Carpenter ended up getting arrested due to their circumstances. However, she managed to escape and reunited with Jimi Hendrix.

Recognizing the strain that money troubles were putting on their relationship, Diana made the decision to return to the streets, working secretly to earn some much-needed cash. When Jimi Hendrix realized he hit her with a belt, exposing the darker side of the once shy and timid musician.

Their relationship took a turn from that point onwards, leading to Diane Carpenter storming out. In a twist of fate, she encountered a man on the street, unaware that he was an undercover cop. This chance encounter swiftly escalated, resulting in her prompt arrest.

The police discovered Diane Carpenter was underage and gave her a choice of three years in jail or a bus ticket home to her parents. Pregnant, hungry, and wonied for the health of her unborn child, she took the bus ticket. In Februaty 1967, she gave birth to a daughter, Tamika.

When Diane Carpenter moved back to Minneapolis for Tamika’s birth, Jimi Hendrix remained unaware of his daughter for over six months. During this time, Jimi Hendrix’s hectic life of touring and rising fame kept him disconnected from this aspect of his personal life.

Linda Keith

Linda Keith, born in 1946, gained fame as a former British fashion model renowned for her work with Vogue magazine in the 1960s and her immersion in the rock music scene. During her time at Vogue, she was romantically involved with Keith Richards and resided in New York City, often seen at clubs in Greenwich Village.

It was during this time that she played a pivotal role in discovering Jimi Hendrix, introducing him to Chas Chandler. She recognized Hendrix’s exceptional musical talents and potential when he was relatively unknown. For example, one episode that proves it, was when Linda lent an unknown Jimi Hendrix a white Fender Stratocaster.

She developed relationships with Keith Richards and later Jimi Hendrix. In the film “Jimi: All Is by My Side,” it is implied that Jimi wrote the song “Red House” about her.

Devon Wilson

Devon Wilson was born in Milwaukee on the 20^th October of 1943 as Ida Mae Wilson, Devon Wilson was exceptionally beautiful and bright She orbited the music scene, leaving traces of her presence in the lives of other luminaries like Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, and Miles Davis Despite her interactions with other icons, her magnetic pull towards Hendrix was undeniable.

Devon Wilson‘s nomadic life led her to New York, where her path crossed with Jimi Hendrix for the first time. She had stepped up to the title of groupie by 1967, and for the next three years, she would be an on-and-off partner in Jimi Hendrix’s bed. Once she had Jimi in her sights, she pursued him relentlessly.

“Dolly Dagger,” a testament to Jimi Hendrix’s musical brilliance, is thought to have drawn inspiration from none other than Devon Wilson. The title itself hints at her association with Mick Jagger, another rock legend. Within the lyrics, the line “she drinks her blood from a jagged edge” It’s believed to reference a moment at a party where Devon was seen drawing blood from a cut on Mick Jagger’s finger, as Hendrix looked on from afar. This poetic interpretation underscores the intricacy of their relationship.

The aftermath of Jimi Hendrix’s death cast a shadow that Devon Wilson struggled to escape. Struggling with drug addiction, she descended into despair, and tragically, Devon Wilson met her mysterious death in February 1971, falling from the 8th-floor balcony of the Chelsea Hotel in New York, the circumstances—whether accidental, intentional, or influenced by foul play—remain unknown.

Despite numerous conspiracy theories, Devon Wilson’s death likely stemmed from the downward spiral that began with Jimi Hendrix’s death.

Kathy Etchingan

Kathleen Mary Etchingham, born on June 18, 1946, is an English writer renowned for her involvement in the Swinging London music scene of the 1960s and her significant relationship with Jimi Hendrix.

Their relationship revolved around discussions, and according to Etchingham’s recollection in a revealing 2005 BBC Sounds interview, most of their arguments were sparked by her cooking, or rather, her lack thereof

Years later, Etchingham still views “The Wind Cries Mary” as a lyrical reflection of that tumultuous day. “‘All the jacks are in their boxes’ probably relates to during the argument when he said, ‘You play games, you’re always playing games,’” she explains. The broom, “drearily sweeping up the broken pieces of yesterday’s life,” becomes a symbolic representation of Jimi Hendrix himself, tidying up the fragmented remains of their relationship as she exits the apartment in tears.

The original lyrics of “Send My Love to Linda” were initially “Send My Love to Kathy,” altered solely after Etchingham voiced her concerns about being mentioned. By 1969, their paths began to diverge, and the two drifted apart.

Following Jimi Hendrix’s tragic death in September 18 of 1970, despite the emotional upheaval, she found herself uniquely positioned to uphold his memory. Kathy didn’t remain silent; she collaborated with biographers, filmmakers, and museums to ensure an authentic portrayal of the man behind the guitar reached the world.

Eva Sundquist

When we talk about Jimi Hendrix’s life, it often mirrors how readers picture a novel in their heads before seeing its film adaptation; they create vivid personal images of his experiences and the world he inhabited. Jimi Hendrix’s private life, especially stories about his family, is often muddled with rumors and unchecked claims. When we talk about Jimi Hendrix’s family life, it’s tricky; a lot of what you hear is just rumors or stuff that nobody can prove. One claim that has made its way into some discussions is whether Jimi Hendrix has any kids. The answer is yes, and one of his children comes from a romantic relationship with Eva Sundquist 

Eva Sundquist was born circa 1950 in Sweden and spent her entire existence in her homeland. She and Jimi Hendrix crossed paths by chance on a Stockholm tram in 1968. Despite the challenges of separation after The Jimi Hendrix Experience tour, their bond endured. The band’s return to Stockholm in January 1969 marked another crucial moment, and according to Eva Sundquist, it laid the groundwork for the birth of James Daniel Sundquist on October 5, precisely nine months after their initial connection with Jimi Hendrix in Sweden.

James Daniel Sundquist became known when a paternity suit was settled in his favor in the late 1970s, granting him inheritance rights. This lawsuit is one of the few instances where there seemed to be legal recognition of a child of Jimi Hendrix. But they went ahead with the inheritance call, even though no blood or DNA tests backed it up. In 1994 legal disputes over inheritance became complicated due to unresolved questions about paternity.

According to sources, Eva Sundquist informed Hendrix about his son’s pregnancy and birth. Jimi Hendrix stated that he would meet his son upon his return to Stockholm in 1970. Despite promising to return to Sweden to meet his son, Hendrix never got to meet his son before his death. Though James Daniel Sundquist never met his father, he did have the opportunity to meet his grandfather, James Allen Hendrix.

Carmen Borrero

Carmen Borrero, a former Playboy Club bunny from Puerto Rico emerged as one of several women in Jimi Hendrix’s romantic life. Jimi Hendrix’s love life, laced with passion and marred by jealousy and conflict, echoed the chaotic essence of his era. Jimi Hendrix’s tumultuous love affair, rife with passion and discord, echoes the chaotic dynamics of consciousness.

When we listen to a story, our imagination often paints vivid scenes, complete with characters and actions that may contrast sharply when they leap from page to screen. In the limelight’s seductive dance, Jimi and Carmen swung between wild love and fierce battles, a reflection of his star-studded yet stormy life.

By 1968, Carmen Borrero became Jimi Hendrix’s girlfriend, but his affection with groupies and Kathy Etchingham remained. Despite his infidelity, Hendrix had intense jealousy, especially towards his friend Eric Burdon. Tragically, his jealousy manifested in violence, as he once hit Borrero in the head with a vodka bottle.

In the following year Borrero continued to be an important presence in Hendrix’s life, and with her returned to Seattle, seeking solace with family. Despite Etchingham’s absence, Jimi Hendrix found himself torn between Carmen Borrero and Devon Wilson, known as “Dolly Dagger.” Hendrix’s affection for both women created tension, yet he maintained relationships with numerous others.

Kristen Nefer

Kirsten Nefer was a Danish model who was a brief but significant presence in 1970 in the final months of Jimi Hendrix’s life. After Jimi Hendrix’s September European tour, Jimi began a romantic relationship with Kirsten Nefer (it was reported in the Danish press at the time that they were engaged).

On September 12 and 13, a few days before his death, Jimi Hendrix spent time with Kirsten Nefer, during a period, when Hendrix intentionally kept a low profile, perhaps seeking moments of introspection away from the public eye. In addition to Kirsten, his manager, Mike Jeffery, and his lawyer were also trying to locate him due to ongoing legal issues involving Diana Carpenter and the Ed Chalpin PPX lawsuit.

Devon Wilson, upon hearing about Jimi Hendrix’s new romance called him in a fit of jealousy, and Kirsten recalls overhearing them discussing on the phone, with Jimi screaming, “‘Devon, get off my back, for Christ’s sake!’“

Monika Danneman

Monika Dannemann, a German figure skater and artist, became intricately connected to the life of Jimi Hendrix, particularly in the last days of the legendary musician’s life. They met by chance at Dusseldorf Airport in January 1969, sparking a romantic relationship.

However, tragedy struck on September 18, 1970, when Jimi Hendrix was found dead in Monika Dannemann’s London apartment. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead, with the official cause listed as asphyxiation due to barbiturate intoxication. Dannemann’s account of the events leading to his death has been controversial, and she faced scrutiny during investigations and legal proceedings thereafter.

Over the years, Monika Dannemann made varying statements regarding Jimi Hendrix’s death, but her shifting narratives have added to the mystery surrounding Jimi Hendrix’s death and continue to fuel speculation and debate.

Monika Dannemann died on April 5, 1996, ruled a suicide.

Throughout his tumultuous life, Jimi Hendrix’s relationships with his girlfriends were as colorful and dynamic as his music. Hendrix’s youthful flings, casual meet-ups with fans, and deep bonds with his muses didn’t just shape his image—they sparked the genius in tunes we’ll never forget.

Hendrix’s fervent devotion to his craft, mingled with the rollercoaster of his romantic encounters, unmistakably shaped the music that still resonates today. Jimi unquenchable passion for his music and love life sparked numerous affairs, each significantly influencing his songs and personal journey. From Lithofayne Pridgon to Kathy Etchingham, the women in Jimi Hendrix’s life were more than just companions; they were muses, inspirations, and sometimes sources of turmoil.

Hendrix’s untimely death amplified the enigma that already surrounded his legendary figure, steeped in mystery and ripe with conjecture, left a profound legacy that still grips and fascinates his fans. Though his final days are cloaked in an enigma, the lasting resonance of his tunes and the intimate narratives from women in his orbit solidify his status as history’s most iconic guitarist.