Catch up with Jake Bongiovi
Since 1989, musician Jon Bon Jovi has been married to his high school sweetheart Dorothea Hurley, after the two tied the knot during a secret trip to Las Vegas. Following the scenic springtime wedding at Graceland Wedding Chapel, the two became parents to four children: daughter Stephanie and sons Jesse, Jacob “Jake,” and Romeo Bongiovi.
Jake Bongiovi was actually born in Palm Beach, Florida, but grew up in Jersey. He was born on May 7, 2002, making spring 2024 his 22nd birthday—and he’s made those two decades count! While his dad is an established musical icon of New Jersey, the Middletown Township native is well on his way into developing a modeling career and he appears to have found the love of his life to top it all off.
His dad is a Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and ranks in Billboard’s list of The Most Powerful and Influential People in the Music Business. But for Jake, childhood was colored by complete normalcy and an emphasis on privacy.
“My life is much more normal than one would imagine,” explained Bon Jovi, adding, “There are no platinum records hanging anywhere in my house. The trappings of rock stardom were never a part of my home … My younger kids weren’t quite sure what I do.”
To keep up this routine atmosphere, Jake, Stephanie, Jesse, and Romeo also grew up out of the public eye. The family mansion sitting on 15 acres of property along the Navesink River probably added some comfort, however. When it came to education, Jake attended Pennington High School and showed off his athleticism playing football. Their November 2019 senior’s night game even had Bon Jovi himself in attendance.
Entering adulthood, Jake did not pursue music in earnest like the “Livin’ on a Prayer” singer but he did channel Bon Jovi in other ways, while also carving his own path.
Jon Bon Jovi has a well-documented history of philanthropy, from his The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation to supporting the Special Olympics, and Bon Jovi’s son caught that energy. During his sophomore year in 2018, Jake staged a walkout to advocate for safer environments for students. Speaking on the ambitious move, Jake said that Bon Jovi has “really been some sort of an inspiration.”
Continuing his education, Jake had an eye on acting and started studying the subject at Syracuse University, only to depart after freshman year. He’s doing well already, appearing in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Rockbottom, and Sweethearts.
On top of that, Jake is also a model and is signed with both William Morris Endeavor and IMG Models. The greater umbrella of the Endeavor holding company for talent agencies represents actors in film, television, music, and theater, as well as the NFL and NHL. In keeping with Jake’s athletic roots, IMG Models primarily manages athletes, but also works with fashion celebrities. When Jake manages to have free time, he’s a very enthusiastic diver, a fact that ended up helping him find and secure love.
In late 2021, Jake and actress Millie Bobby Brown went Instagram official with their rumored relationship and now, they’ve taken things a step further. Bon Jovi is a huge fan of Jake’s sweetheart, sharing, “I’ve gotten to know her in the last year, she works really hard, and she and Jake will grow together in their own way.” They’re already set to grow together, as Jake asked Millie for her hand in marriage; during one of their usual dives, he handed her a shell, and within it was a ring!
Frighteningly, as she was putting it on, the ring fell—fast. But Jake was faster, diving down and retrieving the treasure. News of their relationship spread like wildfire, with outlets highlighting their relatively young ages. As far as Bon Jovi is concerned, “I don’t know if age matters if you find the right partner and you grow together.”
Rockbottom and Sweethearts are in production and post-production respectively. In Sweethearts, a comedy, Jake can be seen playing Kellan, the leader of an ‘80s band; his wardrobe sees Jake positively twinning with his famous dad!
By time of writing, there is no official wedding date, but Brown’s Stranger Things co-star Matthew Modine is set to officiate the ceremony.
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