Category:
Richest Celebrities › Rock Stars
Net Worth:
$410 Million
Birthdate:
Mar 2, 1962 (62 years old)
Birthplace:
Perth Amboy
Gender:
Male
Height:
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Profession:
Singer, Actor, Songwriter, Musician, Record producer, Composer
Nationality:
United States of America
Jon Bon Jovi is an American rock star, singer, songwriter, record producer, musician, actor, and philanthropist who has a net worth of $410 million. The frontman for one of the most successful, long-lasting (and strangely underrated) rock bands of all time, Jon Bon Jovi has basically looked the same since his early years. He has less hair now, of course, but for the most part, he still looks like the fresh-faced rocker from New Jersey who first gained a following in the early 80s. In addition to fronting Bon Jovi, he also runs a veritable entertainment empire and controls all things related to Bon Jovi’s recording, touring, and merchandising. He is also a former owner of the Philadelphia Soul football team and has enjoyed a moderately successful acting career, appearing in co-starring roles in such films as “Moonlight and Valentino,” “The Leading Man,” “U-571”, and “New Year’s Eve,” among other projects. Between his eleven studio albums with Bon Jovi and his two multi-platinum solo releases, he has sold 130 million albums worldwide. His success and his legendary business acumen have allowed him to amass an impressive fortune and real estate portfolio.
In a typical touring year, Bon Jovi, the band can easily gross $100 – $150 million. For example, in 2019, the band grossed $135 million worldwide. Jon earned $40 million personally in that period.
John Francis Bongiovi Jr. was born on March 2, 1962, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Both of his parents are former Marines. His father was a barber. His mom was a Playboy Bunny and, later, a florist. He comes from a close-knit Italian family. He became interested in music at an early age and started playing the guitar and piano at 13 when he joined his first band, Raze. Jon attended St. Joseph High School for his freshman and sophomore years and transferred to Sayreville War Memorial High School for his last two years. During high school, Jon met David Bryan and the two formed the band Atlantic City Expressway. Jon also played clubs and opened for bigger (at the time) local bands as part of John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones.
Jon’s cousin Tony owned a New York City recording studio called The Power Station. Jon spent his teen years hanging out there, which led to his first paid singing gig at 16 on the “Star Wars Christmas Album.”
In the spring of 1983, Jon called his pal David Bryan, who called his friends, bassist Alec John Such and drummer Tico Torres. Not long after, guitarist Richie Sambora joined the band. Jon and the band recorded their first hit song, “Runaway.” Jon tried to get New York City radio stations to play his single without success until one DJ decided to play the song. “Runaway” was an instant hit and landed in the Top 40. Mercury Records signed Jon to a recording contract and Bon Jovi was born. Bon Jovi released their first two albums in 1984 and 1985. Bon Jovi found global success with the 1986 release of their third album, “Slippery When Wet.” That album spawned three iconic Bon Jovi hits: “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “You Give Love a Bad Name,” and Living on a Prayer,” the last two of which became number-one hits. “Slippery When Wet” remains the band’s most successful album. The band’s next album, “New Jersey,” gave the world the hits “Born to Be Your Baby,” “Lay Your Hands On Me,” and “I’ll Be There For You,” among others.
As of this writing, Bon Jovi has released 14 studio albums:”Bon Jovi,” in 1984, “7800 Fahrenheit” in 1985, “Slippery When Wet”in 1986, “New Jersey” in 1988, “Keep the Faith” in 1992, “These Days” in 1995, “Crush” in 2000, “Bounce” in 2002, “Have a Nice Day” in 2005, “Lost Highway” in 2007, “The Circle” in 2009, “What About Now” in 2013, “This House Is Not for Sale” in 2016, and “Bon Jovi: 2020” in 2020.
Jon Bon Jovi has dabbled in acting, appearing in film and television titles such as “Moonlight and Valentino,” “U-571,” “Sex and the City,” “The West Wing,” and “Ally McBeal.” Jon has earned many awards, both as a solo artist and with his band, including a Grammy Award, an American Music Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a BRIT Award.
Jon has also released two solo albums, “Blaze of Glory” and “Destination Anywhere.”
As a songwriter, Bon Jovi was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2012, Bon Jovi ranked #50 on the list of Billboard Magazine’s “Power 100,” a ranking of the most powerful and influential people in the music business. Bon Jovi has performed more than 2,700 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million fans. Bon Jovi was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006 and into the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2018.
Jon Bon Jovi became the founder and primary owner of the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul in 2004. He is no longer part of the franchise.
In 2011, Jon expressed interest in buying 15% of the Atlanta Falcons for $150 million.
In 2014, a group of investors, including Jon, made it to the final round of bidding to buy the Buffalo Bills.
Jon founded the JBJ Soul Foundation in 2006 to try and break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. He opened his first JBJ Soul Kitchen, a community-based restaurant where customers pay what they can afford, either with cash or volunteering an hour of their time working there, in October 2011. In early 2019, JBJ Soul Kitchen donated free meals to government employees and family members affected by the shutdown of the federal government. Today, there are three JBJ Soul Kitchens operating in Red Bank, Toms River, and Newark, New Jersey. The Newark location is on the campus of Rutgers University.
Jon met Dorthea Hurley in high school. Then, during a 1989 Los Angeles stop on Bon Jovi’s New Jersey Syndicate Tour, Jon took a secret side trip to Las Vegas to marry Dorthea. They got married at the Graceland Wedding Chapel on April 29, 1989. The couple has four kids: a daughter, Stephanie (1993), and three sons, Jesse (1995), Jacob (2002), and Romeo (2004). In 2024, Jacob (who goes by Jake) married actress Millie Bobby Brown.
In 1996, People Magazine named him one of the “50 Most Beautiful People In The World.” In 2000, People awarded him the title “Sexiest Rock Star.”
Over the years, Jon has bought, sold, and developed a number of impressive properties. Some notable examples:
New York City: In 2007, Jon paid $24 million for an absolutely stunning 7,400-square-foot penthouse located at 158 Mercer Street. The elevator opens directly into the apartment’s private entrance. The penthouse had two living floors, each with 11-foot ceilings, plus a roof deck. The roof deck has a private terrace. Jovi initially listed this penthouse for sale in 2013 for $42 million. He ultimately accepted $34 million in June 2015.
Also in 2015, Jon paid $12.88 million for an incredible three-bedroom, 4,000-square-foot condo in Manhattan’s West Village. He initially listed it in June 2018 for $18 million, ultimately accepting $15 million in January 2018.
In September 2017, Jon paid $18.94 million for a four-bedroom apartment in Greenwich Village. He listed this unit for sale in February 2022 for $22 million. Once again, this apartment features an elevator that opens directly into the apartment.
New Jersey: In July 2019, Jon put his 15-acre Middletown, New Jersey mansion on the market for $20 million. The six-bedroom, nine-bathroom home, which was custom-built for Jon in 1999, has 18,000 square feet of living space. The property sits on the Navesink River, with 750 feet of water frontage, as well as water views from the breakfast room, family room, dining room, the master bedroom, and one of the other bedrooms. The yard has a heated outdoor pool with cabanas, a pub, and a three-bedroom carriage house built in 1910. The stables on the property have been converted into a recording studio. The property is located an hour outside of New York City. Here is a video tour of his New Jersey estate:
Florida: In 2018, Jon paid $10 million for an oceanfront home in Palm Beach, Florida, a few minutes from Donald Trump’s Mara-A-Lago resort and Breakers Palm Beach. He proceeded to raze the previous home and build a 5,000-square-foot mansion. He never lived at the property, listing it for sale almost immediately after construction was complete. He sold it in July 2020 for $20 million.
On the same day that Jon sold his Floria estate, he paid $43 million for a new mansion just over two miles away on North Ocean Boulevard. This property has oceanfront terraces, a pool, a cabana, an on-site gym, a wine cellar, an air-conditioned three-car garage, and 10,000 square feet of living space.
