A Sad Loss for Jon Bon Jovi

Carol Bongiovi, Jon Bon Jovi’s mother, passed away just days before her 83rd birthday. The singer called her a “force to be reckoned with.”

Shot Thru the Heart – The Bon Jovi Experience – We extend our deepest condolences to Jon Bon Jovi on the loss of his dear mother, Carol. Our prayers are with him.

Carol died three days before turning 83. She passed on Tuesday at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey. After her passing, Jon Bon Jovi, 62, shared heartfelt words about her.

Jon Bon Jovi Pays Tribute to His Mother

“Our mother was a force to be reckoned with,” Jon told PEOPLE. “Her spirit and can-do attitude shaped this family. She will be greatly missed.” Carol, who once worked as a Playboy bunny, founded the fan club for her son’s band. She joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1959, where she met her future husband, John Bongiovi, Sr.

Carol and John raised their children in Sayreville, New Jersey, before moving to Holmdel, where Carol remained until her death. Her funeral will be private, organized by Holmdel Funeral Home. She is survived by her husband of 63 years and their three children, Jon, Anthony, and Matthew.

Jon Bon Jovi Reflects on Parental Support

Jon has often shared how much support his parents provided during his childhood. They encouraged him as he pursued his dream of becoming a singer. 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.”

“As I got older, I saw what a great gift my parents gave me,” he continued. “They truly believed that John F. Kennedy was telling them to go to the moon. ‘Of course, you can go to the moon.’ John, just go. I went there.” Jon recounted how his parents took him to shows when he was 17, allowing him to follow his dreams. “They were always supportive of me,” he said. “It was incredible because I could get home at one or two in the morning and still have to be at school at eight o’clock.”

“They just said, ‘show up on time for school; that’s your responsibility, but pursue your dream.’”

A Family Legacy Continues

Jon is married to his high school sweetheart, Dorothea Hurley. They have four children: Stephanie, 31, and three sons, Jesse, Jake, and Romeo.

Recently, The Sun reported that Jake married Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown in a small, private ceremony in May 2024. Both Jon and Millie’s parents attended the intimate wedding. Jon expressed his excitement to The Sun, saying, “My grandchildren will be more English than Italian or any of my other roots! That’s crazy, right? All of a sudden, your kids are married and talking to you about having grandchildren… wow! This is the longest chapter in my book.”