How did Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley meet? Relationship timeline explored as couple celebrate 36 years of marriage

Jon Bon Jovi, 63, posted a loving wedding anniversary wish for his wife, Dorothea Hurley, on his Instagram. On April 29, 2025, the couple celebrated 36 years of marriage.

Over three decades ago, the high school sweethearts tied the knot in Las Vegas. Four years later, in 1993, they experienced parenthood for the first time by welcoming their eldest daughter Stephanie Rose in Red Bank.

According to a People Magazine report, Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley met in high school while attending the Sayreville War Memorial High School in New Jersey. In a 2020 conversation with the outlet, the musician recalled the days of meeting his wife and shared,

"She let me cheat off her in history. I was immediately drawn to her from the minute I saw her and that never changed."

To honor his wife on this special day, the Runaway singer shared a glimpse of a beautiful red rose bouquet, a photo of him and his wife's younger days, and a signboard installed at their wedding chapel, and wrote,

"36 roses for 36 amazing years ... Happy anniversary my love…."

Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley's relationship timeline explored

It has been over 40 years since Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley have known each other. From studying at the same high school to building a blissful future together, their love story is precious.

Dating, breaking up & seeing each other again

After dating for some time, the couple decided to call it quits and go their separate ways. The rock star even dated Diane Lane during this break-up phase. However, their split-up did not continue for a long period as Bon Jovi and Hurley started seeing each other again after a few months.

They eloped and got married after nine years

After almost a decade of knowing each other, Dorothea Hurley and Jon Bon Jovi decided to take the next and one of the most important steps in their relationship. In 1989, the lovebirds ran off in Las Vegas and tied the knot on April 29.

They celebrated their wedding at a time when the singer was doing incredibly well professionally. From working on hit songs to his band receiving immense appreciation, he was at the pinnacle of his musical career.

During one such day of his tour at the Forum in Los Angeles, he had the idea to elope and tie the knot. In a 2010 interview with Men's Health, he remembered that special moment and shared,

"We had the No. 1 album, the No. 1 single, and we were playing three nights at the Forum in L.A. I turned to Dorothea and said, 'I got an idea. Why don't we go right now?'"

While Dorothea Hurley was unsure of getting married on a whim, the couple eloped to Las Vegas soon and exchanged vows.

Becoming parents to four kids

The spouses welcomed their eldest child, their only daughter, Stephanie Rose Bongiovi, on May 31, 1993. Professionally, she is a camera operator.

Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley became parents to their eldest son, Jesse James Louis Bongiovi, on February 19, 1995. Along with his father, he co-founded the rosé wine brand Hampton Water in 2018.

Their third child, Jake Bongiovi, was born on May 7, 2002. Last year in May, the actor married actress Millie Bobby Brown.

The couple's youngest is Romeo Jon Bongiovi, welcomed to the family on March 29, 2004. He lives a private life, far away from the limelight.

Interviews years after their marriage

Jon Bon Jovi spoke with The Mirror in 2018 and revealed fangirls' reactions to his sudden marriage news. Not just surprised, but many were clearly upset with the renowned rock star tying the knot and becoming Dorothea Hurley's husband.

He shared with the outlet,

"It was like Harry Styles or Justin Timberlake getting married. I was that to the young girls in my time."

His manager had a hilarious reaction and was quite angry, too. The singer chimed in,

"When I came back from Vegas, my manager was furious. He was like, 'America's boy is now married… that's not a good career move.' The record company was also despondent."

In a conversation with The Independent, Bon Jovi expressed his thoughts after speculations hinting him cheating on his wife. Instead of a direct answer, he said,

"These are all the wonderful clichés of rock stardom. It’s about never lying about having been a saint, but not being a fool enough to f*ck up the home life, either."

Later, in an interview with ABC anchor Michael Strahan, he disclosed the truth about multiple women being in his life. On Halfway, he remarked,

"I'm a rock 'n' roll star, I'm not a saint. I'm not saying that there weren't 100 girls in my life. I'm Jon Bon Jovi."

Though the family prefers to stay away from the media attention, they often make appearances on red carpets, at events, and at special celebrations. Last year, Dorothea Hurley and her daughter joined Jon Bon Jovi at the MusiCares Person of the Year event. The tribute recognized the singer for his influence and charity endeavors.