Just days before her 83rd birthday, Jon Bon Jovi’s mother, Carol Bongiovi, passed away. Jon, who is now 62, reflected on his mother’s incredible life and her impact on his family. Carol died at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey, on Tuesday, and Jon shared his heartfelt emotions about her.
Jon described his mother as a true powerhouse. He told PEOPLE, “Our mother was a force to be reckoned with; her spirit and can-do attitude shaped this family.” He added, “We will miss her terribly.”
Carol had a fascinating life. Before becoming a dedicated supporter of her son’s music career, she was a Playboy bunny. She even started the fan club for Bon Jovi. Carol met her future husband, John Bongiovi, Sr., in 1959 after joining the U.S. Marine Corps.
The couple moved to Sayreville, New Jersey, where they raised their three children, Jon, Anthony, and Matthew. Later, they settled in Holmdel, New Jersey, where Carol lived until she passed away.
Her private funeral will be handled by Holmdel Funeral Home. Jon, along with his siblings and their father, will deeply miss Carol.
Jon often spoke about the incredible support his parents gave him as a young aspiring musician. In November 2020, he told The Big Issue, “Even if you weren’t good at your craft, you could work on it if you thought you were.” He continued, “As I grew older, I realized how wonderful my parents’ gift to me was.”
Jon remembered how his parents helped him chase his dreams. “They genuinely believed John F. Kennedy was directing them to travel to the moon,” he said with a smile. He added, “You can go to the moon, of course. Just go, John. I visited that place.”
When Jon was 17, his parents took him to concerts and supported his performances. “They were always there for me, which was amazing looking back,” Jon said. “Because I could have to be at school at eight o’clock and get home at one or two in the morning.” He recalled, “They just told me to go to school on time, you know that’s my responsibility, but follow your dreams.”
Jon’s high school sweetheart, Dorothea Hurley, is now his wife. They have three sons—Jesse, Jake, and Romeo—and a 31-year-old daughter, Stephanie.
In May 2024, Jon’s son Jake married Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown in a small, private ceremony. Jon shared his excitement about the wedding with The Sun, saying, “My grandchildren will have more English ancestry than Italian or any other heritage I may have.
That must be absurd, right?” He laughed, “Your kids are married and talking to you about having grandchildren all of a sudden? Wow! In my book, this is the longest chapter.”
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