Jon Bon Jovi Announces Devastating Family Loss
Jon Bon Jovi shared the devastating news that his mother, Carol Bongiovi, passed away on July 9, just days before she would've celebrated her 84th birthday on July 12.
Bon Jovi shared a statement on behalf of his family confirming the news, writing, "Our mother was a force to be reckoned with, her spirit and can-do attitude shaped this family. She will be greatly missed."
The "Livin' on a Prayer" singer's brother Matthew paid tribute to Carol on Instagram, writing, "We love you Momma bear ?? Rest easy," alongside a photo of the family matriarch.
Bon Jovi's mother was a strong supporter of her son's career, and he often credited her and his father, John Francis Bongiovi Sr., with pushing him to achieve his goals, saying in a 2020 interview with Big Issue, “What I got from my parents was the ability to make the dream reality."
He shared a bit about Carol and her husband's background while speaking with NPR in 2018, explaining that the two met while serving in the Marines and adding of his mother, "She was from northwestern Pennsylvania - Erie, Pa. - again, from a very blue-collar, working-class background."
As Bon Jovi's music career was taking off, with the band going on its first tour, the 62-year-old was reportedly still living with his parents. But Bon Jovi made it clear that the Bongiovis always stood behind him, telling NPR, "They supported everything that I wanted to do with this. And so it wasn't too hard."
Bon Jovi even spotlighted his mother and father's love story in the 2021 music video for "Story of Love," with photos of the couple over the years adorning the walls of the set.
Carol is survived by her husband John, the couple's three children, Anthony, Matthew and Bon Jovi, and their eight grandchildren. This includes Bon Jovi's four kids, Jake, Jesse, Stephanie and Romeo, Matthew's three children, Rocco, Bella and Riley, and Anthony's daughter Allie.
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