Jon Bon Jovi Almost Lost His Only Daughter – Glimpse into Tragic Day He Got ‘The Worst Phone Call Ever’
Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea Bongiovi got married in Las Vegas in 1989. Over the past 34 years, the lovebirds, who were high school sweethearts, have welcomed four children: daughter Stephanie and sons Jesse, Jake, and Romeo.
Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Bongiovi attend the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation’s 10-year anniversary at the Garage in New York City on October 6, 2016. | Source: Getty Images
Jon and Dorothea have been through challenges as a couple and as parents, but they have stuck together through it all. Jon revealed that since Stephanie, who was 16 then, is his only daughter, she was the only one who got boyfriends knocking on their door.
The singer joked that he pitied the boys trying to date Stephanie as his daughter was just like her mom, a confident and independent young woman.
Jon Bon Jovi, Stephanie Rose, and Dorothea Bongiovi | Source: Instagram/jonbonjovi
Despite a relatively normal life, Stephanie got into trouble when she was 19, something that worried and frightened her parents. Jon’s daughter was arrested in November 2012 after a suspected drug overdose. As per local police, she was arrested and charged in upstate New York.
The Kirkland police department reported responding to a call at 1:51 a.m., stating that a female in a dormitory at Hamilton College had purportedly overdosed on heroin and was unresponsive.
Stephanie Rose Bongiovi and Richie Sambora attend the White Trash Beautiful Clothing Label Launch in London, England, on June 23, 2010. | Source: Getty Images
The investigating officer said the female was Stephanie, who was taken to a local hospital. The police report also indicated that heroin was found at the scene. After Oneida County Drug Task Force searched the room, they found more heroin, marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia.
Stephanie Rose Bongiovi and Jon Bon Jovi attend the White Trash Beautiful Clothing Label Launch in London, England, on June 23, 2010. | Source: Getty Images
Stephanie faced charges including criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, criminal possession of marijuana in the fourth degree, and criminally using drug paraphernalia, all categorized as class A misdemeanors. Additionally, she was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, classified as a violation.
Jon Bon Jovi and Stephanie Rose Bon Jovi arrive at the Annual Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala in Beverly Hills, California on January 30, 2010. | Source: Getty Images
Jon’s daughter was released on appearance tickets and asked to appear in a town court in Kirkland later. Years later, the “Runaway” singer opened up about receiving the news that his daughter had a suspected overdose.
Stephanie Rose Bongiovi, Jon Bon Jovi, and Dorothea Bongiovi attend the MusiCares Person of the Year gala in Los Angeles, on February 2, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Stephanie Rose Bongiovi called him from the hospital at 2 a.m. when he was fast asleep. First, she assured her dad that she was okay but then devastated him when she revealed that she had overdosed on heroin.
Stephanie Rose Bongiovi and Jon Bon Jovi attend the White Trash Beautiful Clothing Label Launch in London, England, on June 23, 2010. | Source: Getty Images
Jon recalled the moment, saying it was “the worst phone call ever.” He added, “It was horrible, a horrible moment. It was my worst moment as a father.” The singer also referred to the situation as a terrible speed bump, adding that Stephanie was now doing great.
Stephanie Rose Bongiovi and Dorothea Bongiovi attend the MusiCares Person of the Year gala in Los Angeles, on February 2, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Jon appreciated the thoughts and prayers people sent their way during that terrifying moment. “That problem is much more prevalent than any of us, well, than I knew,” revealed Jon.
Stephanie Rose Bongiovi, Jon Bon Jovi, Romeo Bongiovi, Dorothea Bongiovi, and Jacob Bongiovi attend the Winter Whites Gala in aid of Centrepoint at Kensington Palace in London, England on November 26, 2013. | Source: Getty Images
He noted that many people he met told him about how they went through similar issues with their children. “It’s people I love, admire, respect. It happens to all kinds of families,” said Jon. Dorothea Bongiovi reiterated Jon’s statement, saying that it happens to many families and people never get to know about it, so they dealt with Stephanie’s situation as a family.
Jesse, Stephanie Rose, Romeo (front left), Jon Bon Jovi, Jacob Hurley (front right), and Dorothea Bongiovi attend the “New Year’s Eve” premiere in New York City on December 7, 2011. | Source: Getty Images
Jon said today’s kids encounter so much pressure to get access to things that his past generation never dared to do, and so they make all kinds of mistakes. “I’m just blessed that she’s healthy and whole, and we will get through it,” Jon noted about Stephanie.
Dorothea Bongiovi, Jon Bon Jovi, and Stephanie Rose Bongiovi attend “Hamilton” Broadway Opening Night at Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City on August 6, 2015. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the trying episode, Jon and Stephanie share a tight bond. When he performed the song “I Got The Girl,” which he wrote for his daughter, live at Albany in 2001, a clip of Stephanie as a young girl ran in the background. The clip showed his daughter looking happy as she played, laughing and running around.
Years later, in 2017, Stephanie, who was 23 then, joined her dad on stage for a dance as he performed “I Got The Girl.” Before Jon called his daughter on stage, he said, “Once upon a time, everybody’s got a little girl in their life. Their daughter, their girlfriend, their wife, their mamma, it all goes by so fast.”
Stephanie Rose Bongiovi and Jon Bon Jovi | Source: Instagram/jonbonjovi/
The singer added that these girls start off looking so little and have a bright future, and then they grow up so quickly. “And I wrote this song for that little baby, who’s now not such a little baby anymore,” explained Jon. The singer then sang for a few minutes before inviting Stephanie on stage.
Father and daughter amazed the crowd as they danced to the beat and lyrics of the song. Jon occasionally strummed his guitar as they continued moving rhythmically amid cheers and excitement from the audience. Jon then kissed his daughter repeatedly on the cheek before sharing a warm embrace and a high five.
Jon also showcased his close relationship with his daughter when he revealed in a recent interview that he had written a song on his next album called “Kiss The Bride” for Stephanie’s wedding day. “She hasn’t heard it yet,” divulged the singer. “I promise you it’s the wedding song of the next 100 years,” he added.
Dorothea Bongiovi, Jon Bon Jovi, and Stephanie Rose Bongiovi attend the 33rd Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 14, 2018. | Source: Getty Images
Jon Bon Jovi is a family man who adores his kids and wife. He never thought he would end up being the perfect example of a family man, but he welcomed the title, even once revealing the kind of father he is.
“I’m the one with the dad voice, and if you’ve got to use the dad voice, I can bring it out. I have a temper. Definitely. I’m not an angry dad. I’m not like that. But you do get your buttons pushed,” he proclaimed.
Stephanie Rose Bongiovi and Dorothea Bongiovi attend the Winter Whites Gala in aid of Centrepoint at Kensington Palace in London, England on November 26, 2013. | Source: Getty Images
Together with his wife, Jon does his best to shield his kids from fame. Growing up, Dorothea never pointed out to their children that their father was on television.
Dorothea Bongiovi, Stephanie Rose Bongiovi, and Jon Bon Jovi arrive for the Recording Academy and Clive Davis’ Salute To Industry Icons pre-Grammy gala in Beverly Hills, California on February 3, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
The couple also always try to keep their family united. They spend as much time as they can having family dinners. “Family is always priority,” said Dorothea. When Dorothea and Jon were asked if Stephanie landing in the hospital after taking opioids brought the family closer, Jon answered, “We couldn’t get any closer,” signifying how strong their bond already was.
