Jon Bon Jovi’s mother, Carol A. Bongiovi, passed away at the age of 83 on Tuesday, July 9, just three days before her 84th birthday. She died at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey, as confirmed by PEOPLE.

In a statement released to PEOPLE, Bon Jovi, 62, expressed the family’s loss, saying, “Our mother was a force to be reckoned with. Her spirit and can-do attitude shaped this family. She will be greatly missed.”

Carol was not only the founder of her son’s band’s fan club but also an accomplished entrepreneur. Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, she served as a Playboy bunny and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1959, where she met her future husband, John Bongiovi, Sr.
The couple eventually settled in Sayreville, New Jersey, where they raised their family before moving to Holmdel, New Jersey, where Carol lived until her death.

In an interview with The Big Issue in November 2020, Bon Jovi spoke about the unwavering support he received from his parents. He mentioned how they allowed him to pursue his musical dreams even as a teenager. “They were always supportive of me, which in retrospect, was incredible. I could get home at one or two in the morning and still had to be in school by eight. They just said, show up on time for school, you know that is your responsibility, but pursue your dream,” he recalled.

Carol is survived by her husband of 63 years, their three sons, their daughters-in-law Dorothea, Nina Yang, and Desiree, as well as her eight grandchildren.