Jon Bon Jovi Reveals Shocking Elopement with Wife Dorothea 35 Years Ago

Rock star Jon Bon Jovi, 62, has revealed that he eloped with his high school sweetheart Dorothea Hurley in a surprise wedding at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas back in 1989. The spontaneous nuptials, which took place while Bon Jovi was on tour, shocked everyone around the couple, including the band, management, agents, lawyers, and their parents.

Bon Jovi recalled the wedding being so impromptu that their taxi driver served as the witness. "It was so spontaneous that the taxi driver was our witness," he said. When they returned from Vegas, the reaction from their inner circle was one of disbelief. "The band was furious, the management was furious, the agents, the lawyers, the parents, everybody - they were all furious," Bon Jovi admitted.

Despite the initial backlash, Bon Jovi stood his ground. "I said, 'Well, it's my life and we're in love.' And that was that. And 35 years later, we're still married," he proudly stated. The couple, who first met in high school in 1980, went on to have four children together: Stephanie, Jesse, Jake, and Romeo, born between 1993 and 2004.

Why this matters: Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley's enduring 35-year marriage is a rarity in the rock music industry, where relationships are often strained by the demands of fame and constant touring. Their story serves as an inspiration for couples who believe in the power of love and commitment, even in the face of adversity and outside pressures.

While Bon Jovi reveals he hasn't always been a "saint" in the marriage, he credits Dorothea's tolerance and their mutual admiration for reaching this milestone. "What really matters in a life is love and loyalty and finding things that make you want to get up out of bed in the morning," Bon Jovi reflected. The couple's strong bond has withstood the test of time, serving as the foundation for their family and philanthropic endeavors, including the JBJ Soul Foundation, which operates three JBJ Soul Kitchens and provides 1,000 units of affordable housing.

Key Takeaways

• Jon Bon Jovi eloped with high school sweetheart Dorothea in 1989 in Vegas.
• Their spontaneous wedding shocked their inner circle, but they stood their ground.
• They have been married for 35 years and have 4 children together.
• Their enduring marriage is rare in the rock music industry.
• Bon Jovi credits Dorothea's tolerance and their mutual admiration for their success.