Is Jon Bon Jovi Married & How Many Children Does He Have?

The Hulu docuseries Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story chronicles the decades-long journey of the rock band Bon Jovi, shining a spotlight on Jon Bongiovi (better known by his stage name Jon Bon Jovi), who has built an impressive career for himself and a large family. Bongiovi was born on March 2, 1962, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and raised in New Jersey. When he was 12 years old, Bongiovi formed his first band, and he founded a second called Atlantic City Expressway (which included future Bon Jovi member David Bryan) when he was 16.

Bongiovi went through many bands when he was in his teens, but it wasn’t until 1983 that Bon Jovi was officially formed. Bryan, Alec John Such, Tico Torres, and Richie Sambora joined Bongiovi in becoming the founding members of Bon Jovi, and the band’s career swiftly took off. After releasing two albums, Bon Jovi released their third one, Slippery When Wet, which thrust them into the spotlight with critically acclaimed songs such as “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name,” and “Wanted Dead or Alive.” By the late 1980s, though, Bongiovi’s personal life was also flourishing.

Jon Bon Jovi Has Been Married To Dorothea Since 1989

The Couple Started Dating In High School

Jon Bongiovi married his high school sweetheart, Dorothea Hurley, on April 29, 1989. While Bon Jovi was on tour, the couple briefly slipped away and eloped at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, and they have been married ever since. Many were shocked that Bongiovi and Dorothea eloped, but everything worked out for the best. Bongiovi and his wife Dorothea are, by all accounts, still very much in love. During an interview with People in April 2024, the rock star said:

“There is no doubt in my mind that this world revolves because of [Dorothea], because of what she did to keep the kids right, what she does to keep me right, what we do together to keep it right. No doubt about it. She’s not afraid to call me out on something, but she’s also there when I call, and I’m there for her when she falls. No matter where I went in my career — the ups or the downs — we did it together.”

Jon Bon Jovi Has 4 Children With Dorothea

Their Son Is Engaged To A Stranger Things Actress

Four years after their wedding in 1989, Jon and Dorothea Bongiovi started expanding their family and the couple ultimately had four children. Their first and only daughter, Stephanie, was born in 1993 and inspired the rock star to write Bon Jovi’s “I Got the Girl,” which appeared on the band’s 2000 album Crush. Following Stephanie, Dorothea gave birth to three sons — Jesse in 1995, Jake in 2002, and Romeo in 2004.

Per People, Stephanie is a camera operator; Jesse founded a rosé company with his father; Jake is an actor; and Romeo has kept his life relatively private. Jon and Dorothea’s second son, Jake, has probably been in the spotlight the most out of the couple’s four children. Jake started dating Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown in 2021, and the young couple got engaged in April 2023. However, it’s unknown when Bongiovi and Brown plan to get married. Nevertheless, Jon Bongiovi has seemingly had a great life, personally and professionally, as seen in Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.

Source: People