Carol Bongiovi died on Tuesday at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey, just three days before her 84th birthday. “Our mother was a force to be reckoned with,” Jon Bon Jovi said in a statement on behalf of his family. “Her spirit and can-do attitude shaped this family. She will be greatly missed.”
Bongiovi died on Tuesday at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, New Jersey, just three days before her 84th birthday
“Our mother was a force to be reckoned with,” Bon Jovi said in a statement released on behalf of his family. “Her spirit and can-do attitude shaped this family. She will be greatly missed.” Carol Bongiovi and Jon Bon Jovi at the premiere of ”Young Guns II” in Hollywood in 1990. – Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Carol, who was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, was the founder of the official fan club for her son”s iconic rock band, Bon Jovi, as well as an entrepreneur and U.S. Marine veteran.
It was in the service where Carol met her future husband, John Bongiovi, Sr. The couple later moved to Sayreville, New Jersey, where they raised their family.
Carol is survived by her husband of 63 years, as well as three sons and daughters-in-law: Jon Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea, Anthony and Nina Yang Bongiovi, and Matthew and Desiree Bongiovi — as well as eight grandchildren. Jon Bon Jovi and his mother Carol Sharkey attend ADT ArenaBall Awards Gala at the Louisiana SuperDome during ArenaBowl XXII weekend on July 25, 2008 in New Orleans. – Marc Serota/Getty Images
The unfortunate news of Carol”s death comes less than two months after some joyful news for the family, as Bon Jovi”s 22-year-old son, Jake Bongiovi, tied the knot with girlfriend Millie Bobby Brown.
The rocker confirmed reports of the couple”s secretive wedding while speaking with BBC”s The One Show back in May.
“They”re great, they”re absolutely fantastic, it was a very small family wedding and the bride looked gorgeous and Jake is happy as can be,” Bon Jovi said during the interview.
Bon Jovi previously gushed over his new daughter-in-law in April to The Times of London.
“I”ve gotten to know her in the last year, she works really hard, and she and Jake will grow together in their own way,” said Bon Jovi of his son and Brown. “It is an accelerated version of what I went through 40 years ago and I think, with the support of family around them, they”re gonna be great together.”
It doesn”t bother Bon Jovi that his son married young because so did he. The singer eloped with his high school sweetheart, Dorothea, in Las Vegas in 1989 and have since welcomed four children together.