Jon Bon Jovi is opening up about the highs, lows, and lessons of his decades in the spotlight. In a candid conversation with Michael Strahan for the ABC special Halfway There, the legendary rocker looked back on the whirlwind early days of Bon Jovi’s rise to fame and the personal challenges that came with it.
Now 62, the “Livin’ on a Prayer” singer admits he fully embraced the excesses of rock stardom in the 1980s. “I got away with murder,” he confessed. “I’m not saying there weren’t a hundred girls in my life—I’m Jon Bon Jovi. It was pretty good.” While the fame and attention were intoxicating, Bon Jovi acknowledged that he never lost sight of what truly mattered, adding, “What kind of excesses does a man need to fuel that fire? It’s just not worth it.”
Despite his superstar image, Bon Jovi has remained with his high school sweetheart, Dorothea Hurley, for over 40 years. The couple, who tied the knot in 1989 at the iconic Graceland Chapel in Las Vegas, are set to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary. Bon Jovi didn’t shy away from admitting that the longevity of their relationship hasn’t come without its trials. “I’m not a saint,” he said. “But I never let the narcissist in me take over. That would’ve been a stupid thing to do.”
The singer was effusive in his praise of Dorothea, crediting her with holding their family together. “There’s no doubt in my mind that this world revolves because of her,” he said. “She’s the one who kept the kids right, kept me right, and kept us right. She’s not afraid to call me out, but she’s also there when I fall—and I’m there for her, too.”
Reflecting on their journey, Bon Jovi emphasized that growing together has been key to their lasting bond. He described Dorothea as someone who came from the same humble beginnings—same town, same school, same circle of friends—making their foundation stronger. “No matter where my career took me, whether up or down, we went there together.”
As the couple prepares to mark 35 years of marriage, Bon Jovi remains clear-eyed about the reality of love and commitment in a life spent under the spotlight. He attributes their endurance to one crucial element: his wife’s unwavering support and tolerance through it all.
