Jon Bon Jovi, aged 63, marked the 36th anniversary of his marriage to Dorothea Hurley, aged 62, by publishing a commemorative message via his official Instagram account on Tuesday. Included in the post was a nostalgic photograph of the couple, shared approximately one year following Bon Jovi’s admission that he “hasn’t been a saint” over the course of their relationship.
The couple entered into matrimony in 1989 at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada. They share four children: Stephanie (31), Jesse (30), Jake (22), and Romeo (21).
In a recent social media post, Jon Bon Jovi shared a series of meaningful images commemorating his 36th wedding anniversary with his wife, Dorothea Hurley. One image featured 36 red roses arranged in a glass vase atop a table. Another photo captured the couple, with Jon affectionately embracing his high school sweetheart in an outdoor setting. Jon wore a blue suit and flashed a joyful smile, while Dorothea donned a strapless white dress paired with white gloves. A third photo depicted a sign at the Graceland Wedding Chapel, the venue where the couple had married, reading: “Graceland Wedding Chapel. The original world-famous home of ceremonies with the ‘King.’ Rock star Jon Bon Jovi was married here.”
In his post, Jon expressed his love and appreciation for Dorothea, writing, “36 roses for 36 amazing years. Happy anniversary my love…,” directed to his 2.4 million followers.
Reflecting on their spontaneous marriage during a past interview with People, Jon recalled that their wedding had taken many by surprise. At the time, he was on tour with Bon Jovi in Los Angeles, where he and Dorothea, then his fiancée, decided to take a last-minute trip to Las Vegas. Jon shared, “I needed a higher high. I got an idea. Let’s go to Vegas now.” With no prior plans, the couple went to the chapel, where their taxi driver served as their sole witness.
The news of their marriage shocked many, including band members, management, agents, lawyers, and even their families, with Jon noting that it “shocked everybody.”
Jon Bon Jovi reflected on his marriage to Dorothea Hurley, sharing that their wedding, which initially shocked many, should have been a beautiful moment. However, he noted that others tried to diminish its significance, prompting him to speak up and assert, “Why are we living our life for anyone else?” He emphasized that, 35 years later, their bond remains strong.
In a 2024 interview with The Independent, Jon candidly admitted that he “has not been a saint” during his marriage. He explained the complexities of rock stardom, acknowledging, “It’s about never lying about having been a saint, but not being a fool enough to [mess] up the home life, either.” Regarding the longevity of his relationship with Dorothea, he attributed it to their “mutual admiration society” and the unique bond formed by growing up together.
Jon also reflected on his past behavior in his 1993 hit Bed of Roses, which expressed regret over past infidelities. During an ABC special with Michael Strahan, Jon seemed to confirm that he had been with 100 women, noting, “I’m Jon Bon Jovi. It was pretty good!” When Strahan commented that his early fame might have strained his relationships, Jon responded, “I got away with murder. I’m a rock and roll star. I’m not a saint.”#newsafro_
