Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea Hurley have been married for over 35 years—a relationship that’s proven its strength through the highs and lows of fame. As one of rock’s biggest stars—and a longtime sex symbol—the 63-year-old has been candid in interviews about his past infidelity. Still, fans have remained curious about Dorothea and the love story that began in the 1980s, as Jon was rising to global stardom.
Speaking with ABC’s Michael Strahan in April 2024, the “You Give Love a Bad Name” singer didn’t hold back. “I got away with murder. I’ll say it again on camera. I’m a rock ‘n’ roll star. I’m not a saint,” Jon said. “I’m not saying there weren’t 100 girls in my life. I’m Jon Bon Jovi; it was pretty good.”
Learn more about Dorothea and her decades-long marriage to the rock icon below.
Dorothea Is From New Jersey
Like her husband, Dorothea is also from New Jersey. The duo met at Sayreville War Memorial High School.
Dorothea Eloped With Jon
The couple began dating in 1985 and briefly split sometime afterward. However, they eventually reunited and eloped in 1989.
Dorothea Founded a Non-Profit Business
Dorothea is the co-founder of the nonprofit restaurant JBJ Soul Kitchen, which she launched with Jon in 2009. According to the organization’s website, the initiative has been serving meals to those in need for over a decade.
Before stepping into the world of food service, Dorothea worked as a karate instructor, according to multiple outlets. While it’s unclear when she transitioned out of that profession, she later embraced her role as a restaurateur and philanthropist.
Dorothea Stayed by Jon’s Side
Despite Jon’s infidelity, he and Dorothea remained dedicated to one another. While promoting his 2024 Hulu doc, Thank You, Goodnight — The Jon Bon Jovi Story, the “Livin’ On a Prayer” hitmaker revealed he felt the temptation when he had “100 girls” around him at the height of his music career. However, he insisted that he didn’t want to “jeopardize” his entire relationship with Dorothea.
“But if you think I was ever going to jeopardize … anything for believing the narcissist in me was real? What a stupid thing to do,” Jon explained during his ABC interview. “What kind of excesses does a man need that’s going to fuel that fire? It’s just not worth it.”
Jon also pointed out that Dorothea doesn’t hesitate to correct him.
“There is no doubt in my mind that this world revolves because of her, because of what she did to keep the kids right, what she does to keep me right, what we do together to keep it right,” he added. “No doubt about it. … She’s not afraid to call me out on something, but she’s also there when I call, and I’m there for her when she falls. No matter where I went in my career — the ups or the downs — we did it together.”
Jon and Dorothea Have 4 Kids
After marrying in 1989, the pair welcomed their four kids: daughter Stephanie and sons Jesse, Jake, and Romeo Bongiovi.
