Jon Bon Jovi is mourning the loss of his mother, Carol Sharkey Bongiovi, who passed away on Tuesday, July 9, at the age of 83. Her death occurred at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey, just three days before her 84th birthday. The news was confirmed by an obituary shared by Bon Jovi’s representatives.
Carol Sharkey, who later became known as Carol Bongiovi, was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. She joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1959, where she met her future husband, John Bongiovi Sr. The couple married and moved to New Jersey, where they raised their three sons: John Bongiovi Jr. (later known as Jon Bon Jovi), Anthony, and Matthew.
Carol was a woman of many talents and roles. She was an entrepreneur, a former Playboy Bunny, and the founder of the Bon Jovi fan club. Her entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude were significant influences on her family, as Jon Bon Jovi noted in a statement: “Our mother was a force to be reckoned with; her spirit and can-do attitude shaped this family. She will be greatly missed.”
Carol’s life was filled with various endeavors. Before joining the Marines, she worked as a florist. After her military service, she and her husband settled in Sayreville, New Jersey, where they raised their family. Despite her many roles, she always found time to support her son’s burgeoning music career. According to Laura Jackson’s biography of Jon Bon Jovi, Carol encouraged her son’s early interest in performing. She would often line up with him in front of a full-length mirror, where they would have fun watching themselves perform songs. When Jon was just seven years old, she brought home an acoustic guitar and urged him to learn to play it, although it wasn’t until his teenage years that he seriously took up music.
Carol’s influence on her son’s career was profound. She was not just a supportive mother but also an active participant in his journey to stardom. She founded the Bon Jovi fan club, which helped build a strong community around the band. Her dedication to her son’s career was evident in her involvement in various aspects of his professional life.
In 2021, Carol and her husband made a poignant appearance in Jon Bon Jovi’s music video for “Story of Love.” The video featured a large black-and-white portrait of Carol and John in their youth, symbolizing their long-lasting union and the strong family bonds that have been a cornerstone of Jon’s life. The video was a touching tribute to the love and support that Carol and John provided to their family.
Carol’s life was also marked by her connection to her hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Martha and Michael Sharkey and had siblings, including brother Michael Sharkey Jr. and sisters Patricia Lugo and Beverly Ondreako. Although she later lived in New Jersey, she occasionally returned to Erie, attending events such as her Academy High School class reunions. In July 1987, she attended a Bon Jovi concert at Erie’s Veterans Memorial Stadium with her parents, a testament to her enduring connection to her roots.
Jon Bon Jovi has often spoken about the valuable lessons he learned from his parents. In an interview with the Big Issue in 2020, he reflected on the unwavering support and confidence they instilled in him. He recalled how, despite his “terrible” first talent show performance as a teen, his parents’ belief in him never wavered. “What I got from my parents was the ability to make the dream reality,” he said. “They always instilled that confidence in their kids which, in retrospect, I realize was so incredibly valuable.”
Carol Bongiovi’s legacy is one of love, support, and resilience. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, John Bongiovi Sr., their three sons and daughters-in-law, and eight grandchildren. Her life and contributions to her family and her son’s career will be remembered and cherished by those who knew her.
Funeral services for Carol Bongiovi will be private. The Holmdel Funeral Home, which is handling the arrangements, has set up a tribute page for messages of condolences.
Source: USA Today, Erie Times-News, Variety, Billboard
