Jon Bon Jovi's Four Children: Meet Stephanie, Jesse, Jake, and Romeo
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- UPDATED JULY 07, 2024
by Tasha Mayberry
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The rocker and his longtime wife, Dorothea Bongiovi, share four kids: daughter Stephanie, 31, and sons Jesse, 29, Jake, 22, and Romeo, 20. Despite Bon Jovi’s fame, Dorothea told that they’ve always “tried hard” to give their kids “a normal life.” Bon Jovi admitted in 2016, “I do sometimes corner them in the car on the way to school and ask them what they think about a mix of a new song, but I never make them listen to a whole record.” The “Livin’ on a Prayer” singer has always prioritized showing his children the value of hard work. In 2007, he told The Sunday Times, “If they see my work ethic, maybe that will instill that in them. I work hard at whatever I do, whether it’s the football team, the philanthropic work, or making records.”
While most of Bon Jovi’s kids are out of the house, the family of six found themselves living under the same roof again during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 — and the musician loved it. “We spent more time in [our New Jersey] house than we have in over a decade,” he told. “For about a month, our whole family was intact. Then the big kids finally said, ‘We’re out,’ and made a run for it.” Dorothea added, “Our focus has always been family first and making sure that are doing well. We like each other. We spent a lot of time together, and it was more than we have spent in many years, but it was nice.
Stephanie Rose Bongiovi, 31
Bon Jovi’s first child was born on May 31, 1993, in New Jersey. From the moment she was born, Stephanie has been the light of the rocker’s life. He even wrote his hit song “I’ve Got the Girl” about her. She first danced to the song with her dad on stage when she was 7 years old, and she made a surprise appearance during his February 2017 show in Las Vegas to share another special moment with her father. “Everybody’s got a little girl in their life,” he said during the performance. “Their daughter, their girlfriend, their wife, their mama — it all goes by so fast. And they start out as little bitty babies and their future’s looking bright. And I wrote this song for that little baby, who’s now not such a little baby anymore.”
In 2012, Stephanie was hospitalized after an apparent opioid overdose while in college. Following the incident, Bon Jovi told the Associated Press he was “confident” his daughter would be okay, adding, “You surround them with the best help and love and move on, and that’s where we’re at with it.” Stephanie, who now works as a camera operator on TV shows, made a rare public appearance with her mom and dad at the MusiCares Person of the Year gala in February 2024, where Bon Jovi was honored for his philanthropic work.
Jesse Bongiovi, 29
Jesse Bongiovi was born on Feb. 19, 1995, in Los Angeles. The 29-year-old graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where he played football and studied political science and government. In April 2018, Jesse launched a rosé company with his father called Hampton Water, which has skyrocketed to success and was even named the best rosé of 2018 by Wine Spectator. “When you’re in a band, you always say it’s like a family. But when you’re really working with your family, it’s totally different,” the proud dad told that year. “We walk into meetings together and I go, ‘Wow, it’s Mini-Me.’ He’s thinking the way I’m thinking. It’s been a dream… Jesse has always been very serious about everything he’s ever done.”
Jesse proposed to his girlfriend of four years, Jesse Light, in late July 2022. He popped the question in East Hampton, surrounded by their families — including the “You Give Love a Bad Name” singer. On May 7, 2024, Jesse and Light wed in Las Vegas at the same chapel where his parents exchanged vows in 1989.
Jake Hurley Bongiovi, 22
Bon Jovi’s third child and second son, Jacob “Jake” Bongiovi, was born on May 7, 2002, in Palm Beach, Florida. He attended Pennington High School in New Jersey and began his freshman year at Syracuse University in 2020. However, it’s unclear whether the 22-year-old is currently attending college. In May 2024, Jake and actress Millie Bobby Brown wed during a “low-key” ceremony attended only by their closest family members. The couple, who have been together since 2021, got engaged in April 2023. While Jake tends to keep his life private, he has supported Brown on several public occasions, including at the 2022 BAFTAs and the Stranger Things season 4 and Enola Holmes 2 premieres.
Romeo Jon Bongiovi, 20
Romeo Jon Bongiovi was born in New Jersey on March 29, 2004. The youngest of the Bongiovi clan, the 20-year-old is also the most private. He doesn’t appear to have social media, but his father posted a birthday tribute in March 2021. “Happy 17th birthday Romeo!” he wrote. “Love, Mom and Dad.” Growing up, Romeo attended several events with his famous father and siblings. In 2013, he joined his family for a black-tie event at Kensington Palace and was there when Bon Jovi was inducted into the National Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. While Bon Jovi and Dorothea love being parents, they admitted in October 2020 that they were “definitely looking forward” to being empty nesters once Romeo turned 18. “Just not being stuck to a schedule and being able to travel [will be nice], but we like to see our kids. It’s not like we’re going to disappear.
Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Bongiovi's Relationship Timeline
Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Bongiovi are high school sweethearts. The rock star met his future wife when they were both students at Sayreville War Memorial High School in New Jersey. The couple waited nine years to get married and eloped in Las Vegas in 1989 at the height of Bon Jovi’s career. They went on to welcome four children: daughter Stephanie and sons Jesse, Jacob, and Romeo. Bon Jovi and Dorothea also founded the JBJ Soul Foundation together in 2006, and they’ve since opened three pay-if-you-can restaurants in the U.S.
The pair are often asked what the secret to their decades-long relationship is. “We really like each other. We want to hang out,” Bon Jovi told in 2020. “I always said I was good at spotting potential too. I have a gift,” Dorothea added. From meeting in high school to their charity work, here is a look at Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Bongiovi’s relationship timeline.
