Just days before what would have been her 83rd birthday, Jon Bon Jovi’s mother, Carol Bongiovi, passed away. The news came as a heavy blow to Jon, who is 62 years old. Carol died on Tuesday at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey.
Jon spoke warmly about his mother, calling her a “force to be reckoned with” in an interview with PEOPLE. “Our mother was a force to be reckoned with; her spirit and can-do attitude shaped this family,” Jon said. “We will miss her terribly.”
Carol was more than just Jon’s mom; she was a vibrant personality with an impressive background. Before becoming a well-known supporter of her son’s band, Carol was a former Playboy bunny and an enthusiastic promoter of Bon Jovi’s fan club.
She met her future husband, John Bongiovi, Sr., in 1959 after joining the U.S. Marine Corps. The couple eventually moved to Sayreville, New Jersey, where they raised their children. Later, they settled in Holmdel, New Jersey, where Carol lived until she passed away.
Carol’s private funeral will be arranged by the Holmdel Funeral Home. She leaves behind her three children—Jon, Anthony, and Matthew—and her 63-year-old husband.
Jon has always credited his parents for their incredible support during his journey as a musician. In a November 2020 interview with The Big Issue, he reflected on their encouragement. “Even if you weren’t good at your craft, you could work on it if you thought you were,” he said. “As I grew older, I realized how wonderful my parents’ gift to me was.”
Jon fondly remembered how his parents supported his dreams when he was a teenager. “They were always there for me, which was amazing looking back,” he shared. “Because I could have to be at school at eight o’clock and get home at one or two in the morning.
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. Together, 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, intimate 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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