Jon Bon Jovi is a name that resonates with rock music lovers all over the world. He is known as the founder and frontman of the rock band Bon Jovi, which has produced some of the most iconic rock anthems in music history. While his music and contributions to the rock music scene are widely recognized, not much is known about his personal life, especially his relationship with his wife, Dorothea Bongiovi.
In this article, we delve into the life of Dorothea Bongiovi, Jon Bon Jovi’s wife of over three decades, and their journey together. From their high school romance to building a life together, we uncover the untold story of their relationship, their family, and their philanthropic work.
Jon And Dorothea Are High School Sweethearts
Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Bongiovi met as high school students at Sayreville War Memorial High School in New Jersey in 1980. At the time, Jon was a budding musician, while Dorothea was a straight-A student with a love for community service. Despite their different interests, they were drawn to each other and soon started dating.
Although they dated for several years, it took Jon and Dorothea nine years to get married. In 1985, they briefly broke up, and Jon dated actress Diane Lane for five months. Eventually, Jon and Dorothea reconciled, and on April 29, 1989, they secretly eloped in Las Vegas at the Graceland Wedding Chapel.
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Inside Jon And Dorothea’s Happy Marriage
Although Dorothea Bongiovi has largely stayed out of the spotlight, she has played a crucial role in Jon Bon Jovi’s life and career. Not only has she been his supportive wife and mother to their four children, but she has also been his business partner. In 2006, Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea founded the JBJ Soul Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to fight poverty, hunger, and homelessness. Through the foundation, they have opened three pay-if-you-can restaurants in the U.S.
Jon Bon Jovi has often credited his wife for his success, saying that she has been his rock throughout his career. In an interview with The Mirror in 2016, he said, “She is very wise. She gave me four great kids, and I didn’t f— up. I got it right the first time, and she is great and undyingly loyal.” He also mentioned that they still “adore” hanging out with each other, which he attributes to their independence and trust in each other.
After more than three decades of marriage, Jon and Dorothea’s relationship remains strong. According to Jon, the secret to their decades-long marriage is simple: they genuinely like each other and want to spend time together. In a 2020 interview with PEOPLE, Jon said, “We really like each other. We want to hang out.” Dorothea added, “I always said I was good at spotting potential too. I have a gift.”
How Many Children Do Jon And Dorothea Have?
Jon and Dorothea have four children together: Stephanie, Jesse, Jacob, and Romeo. Stephanie, their eldest child, was born on May 31, 1993, in Red Bank, New Jersey. Jesse was born on February 19, 1995, and would later play football at the University of Notre Dame. He also launched his own wine label, Hampton Water, alongside his dad in 2018. Jacob and Romeo were born in 2002 and 2004, respectively.
Jon and Dorothea are fiercely protective of their children’s privacy and have worked hard to keep them out of the public eye. However, Stephanie has occasionally joined her dad on stage, performing “I’ve Got The Girl” when she was just seven years old, and again in 2017 at one of his Las Vegas shows.
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Know About Jon And Dorothea’s Philanthropic Work
Jon and Dorothea share a passion for philanthropy, and in 2006, they founded the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. The foundation aims to help combat homelessness and poverty by providing affordable housing solutions, job training, and hunger relief. They renovated 15 houses in Philly and partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build and renovate homes nationwide. The foundation has built 500+ affordable housing units.
One of the most notable projects of the JBJ Soul Foundation is the JBJ Soul Kitchen, a community restaurant in New Jersey that operates on a pay-what-you-can basis. Dorothea came up with the idea to feed those who can’t afford a meal. “We’ve been blessed and lucky,” she said. “It’s not acceptable to see people unable to feed their families.”