Jon Bon Jovi is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor born on March 2, 1962. He is best known as the leader of the rock band Bon Jovi which he started in 1983. With his band, he has put out 15 studio albums and also released two solo albums.
In the 1990s, Jon Bon Jovi ventured into acting. He appeared in movies like “Moonlight and Valentino,” “Pay It Forward,” and “U-571” and had roles in TV shows such as “Sex and the City” and “30 Rock.”
In 2009, he was honored with an induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. By 2012, he was listed at number 50 on Billboard’s “Power 100” which highlights key figures in the music industry.
Additionally, Bon Jovi was a key figure in the Arena Football League as a founder and former major owner of the Philadelphia Soul team.
| Full Name | John Francis Bongiovi Jr. |
| Date of Birth | March 2, 1962 |
| Place of Birth | Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA |
| Occupation | Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Actor |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Spouse | Dorothea Hurley |
| Children | Stephanie Rose, Jesse Bongiovi, Jacob Hurley, Romeo Jon |
| Net Worth | $410 million |
Jon Bon Jovi’s Early Life and Education
John Francis Bongiovi Jr. was born in Perth Amboy New Jersey. His father John Francis Bongiovi Sr. was a barber and a former Marine while his mother Carol (Sharkey) was a florist a Playboy Bunny and also a former Marine. He has two brothers Anthony and Matthew.
His father’s family is Italian and Slovak and the name Bongiovi comes from Sciacca Sicily. His mother has German and Russian roots. Although there were rumors he was related to singer Frank Sinatra he confirmed in a 2016 interview that this was not true.
Bon Jovi was raised in the Catholic faith. He attended St. Joseph High School in Metuchen New Jersey for his first two years and then transferred to Sayreville War Memorial High School in Parlin New Jersey.
Career
Jon Bon Jovi’s music journey started in 1974 with his first band Raze. At 16 he formed Atlantic City Expressway and later played with John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones. By 1980 he had his first original band the Rest which opened for local acts like Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.
While working at the Power Station studio owned by his cousin Tony Bongiovi, Jon Bon Jovi swept floors and got his first break when Disco producer Meco asked him to sing on a track for “Christmas in the Stars: The Star Wars Christmas Album.” This was his first professional recording under the name John Bongiovi.
In 1983, Jon Bon Jovi gathered bassist Alec John Such, drummer Tico Torres, and guitarist Richie Sambora to form the band Bon Jovi. Their first two albums came out in 1984 and 1985.
The band’s big break came in 1986 with their third album “Slippery When Wet.” This album sold 28 million copies worldwide by 2011 and included hits like “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
By 2019, Jon Bon Jovi had released 15 studio albums, five compilations, and three live albums. They sold over 130 million records globally and performed more than 2700 concerts across over 50 countries. The band was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006 and the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
In 1990, Jon Bon Jovi recorded the “Blaze of Glory” soundtrack for the movie “Young Guns II” which became a hit. The title track reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Bon Jovi a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination.
Jon Bon Jovi launched his label Jambco Records in 1991 producing albums for Aldo Nova and Billy Falcon.
In 1997, he released his second solo album Destination Anywhere accompanied by a short film featuring stars like Demi Moore and Kevin Bacon.
In 2012, Bon Jovi recorded a soundtrack for the film “Stand Up Guys” with the track “Not Running Anymore” nominated for a Golden Globe.
In 2020, Jon Bon Jovi released a Christmas single titled A Jon Bon Jovi Christmas featuring three new holiday songs.
Net Worth
Jon Bon Jovi has an estimated net worth of $410 Million as of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The main source of Jon Bon Jovi’s net worth mainly comes from his career as a rock musician.
He is best known as the lead singer of the band Bon Jovi, which has sold millions of albums and earned significant money from tours and music sales.
In addition to his music career, Jon has also made money from acting and business ventures, including owning a stake in the Arena Football League and investing in real estate. His long-standing success in the music industry and wise investments have contributed greatly to his wealth.
Personal life
In 1989 during a break on The New Jersey Syndicate Tour, Jon Bon Jovi secretly wed his high school sweetheart Dorothea Hurley at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas on April 29. They have four children: a daughter Stephanie and sons Jesse, Jake, and Romeo. His daughter-in-law is British actress Millie Bobby Brown.
Bon Jovi who used to live in Rumson New Jersey set up his Sanctuary Sound recording studio in his home’s basement.
Bon Jovi is good friends with Robert Kraft owner of the New England Patriots and former coach Bill Belichick. He owns two Super Bowl rings from the Patriots and has performed multiple times at Gillette Stadium.
In 2019, Bon Jovi was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree by the University of Pennsylvania and another honorary doctorate from Princeton University in 2021 for his contributions to music and social causes.
In October 2021 he tested positive for COVID-19 at a fan event in Florida. He was fully vaccinated and felt well recovering by November 12, 2021. In April 2022, he shared that his COVID-19 experience deeply impacted him and his songwriting highlighting how the pandemic showed the fragility of life regardless of one’s background.
Philanthropy
In 2005, Jon Bon Jovi donated $1 million to the Angel Network Foundation during an appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
In July 2007, Jon Bon Jovi announced plans to renovate 15 homes in north Philadelphia.
The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation started in 2006 fights poverty and homelessness. On October 19, 2011, it launched the JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank New Jersey where people pay what they can or work for their meals.
By 2023, three more Soul Kitchen locations opened: one in Toms River, one at Rutgers University in Newark, and another at New Jersey City University.
Jon Bon Jovi also participated in “Everybody Hurts” a charity single by 21 artists to help victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
Other ventures
Jon Bon Jovi has appeared in several films including “Moonlight and Valentino,” “The Leading Man,” and “U-571.” He had a notable supporting role in “Pay It Forward” as Helen Hunt’s abusive ex-husband. On TV he’s been seen in “Sex and the City,” “30 Rock,” and “Ally McBeal,” where he played a plumber who briefly dated Ally.
Bon Jovi also made a brief appearance in “Young Guns II” and was cast in New Year’s Eve as a rock star linked to Katherine Heigl’s character.
In 2004, Bon Jovi founded and owned the Philadelphia Soul in the Arena Football League. He appeared in ads with John Elway but is no longer involved with the team.
In 2011, he showed interest in buying a share of the Atlanta Falcons. In 2014, he was part of a group that tried to buy the Buffalo Bills but the team went to Terry Pegula.
On June 8, 2024, Bon Jovi opened JBJ’s a rock-themed restaurant and bar in Nashville at 405 Broadway. The venue features live music every day and has a multi-level design with balconies overlooking the stage.
The grand opening included a live performance by Bon Jovi and was attended by celebrities like Vince Neil and Jelly Roll. JBJ also boasts the first permanent Proto hologram machine in a music venue which can project holograms of Bon Jovi and his band.