Carol Bongiovi, Jon Bon Jovi's mother, dies at 83

Jon Bon Jovi's mother, Carol Bongiovi, has died.

Bongiovi died Tuesday at Monmouth Medical Center in New Jersey three days before her 84th birthday, according to an obituary shared by Bon Jovi's reps.

"Our mother was a force to be reckoned with, her spirit and can-do attitude shaped this family. She will be greatly missed," Bon Jovi said in an emailed statement Wednesday.

Bon Jovi's mother was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, serial entrepreneur, founder of her son's fan club and former Playboy Bunny. The Erie, Pennsylvania, native met Bon Jovi's father, John Bongiovi Sr., in the Marines, and the couple was married for 63 years. The couple eventually moved to New Jersey, where they resided together until her death.

Jon Bon Jovi and his mother Carol Bongiovi in 2008. Bongiovi has died at 83, Bon Jovi's reps confirmed.
Jon Bon Jovi and his mother Carol Bongiovi in 2008. Bongiovi has died at 83, Bon Jovi's reps confirmed.

Photos of the Bongiovis were featured in Bon Jovi's 2021 music video, "Story of Love."

Over the years, Bon Jovi has credited his parents for giving him the "great gift" of dreaming big.

"What I got from my parents was the ability to make the dream reality," Bon Jovi told the Big Issue in 2020. "Even if you truly weren’t any good at your craft, if you believed you were, you could work on it."

Carol Bongiovi is survived by husband John Bongiovi, three sons — including Bon Jovi, Anthony Bongiovi and Matthew Bongiovi — and eight grandchildren, including the recently married Jake Bongiovi.

Jon Bon Jovi says Millie Bobby Brown 'looked gorgeous' during wedding to son Jake Bongiovi

Bon Jovi gushed about his son's wedding to Millie Bobby Brown in May, telling BBC's "The One Show" that the couple was doing "great" and "absolutely fantastic."

"The bride looked gorgeous, and Jake is happy as can be," Bon Jovi said in a clip of the show shared on X, formerly Twitter. "It's true."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carol Bongiovi dead: Jon Bon Jovi's mother was 83