EXCLUSIVE: Jon Bon Jovi dishes on having one of the strongest marriages in Hollywood: 'I am just a lucky guy'


Jon Bon Jovi is opening up about his family life and where he's at in his relationship with former Bon Jovi band member Richie Sambora.

After Sambora left Bon Jovi's 2013 tour to spend more time with his daughter, Ava, rumors started swirling that there was a feud between the guitarist and the band's lead singer, but Bon Jovi tells ET's Nischelle Turner that couldn't have been further from the truth.

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"I said it from day one: we had no ill will," Bon Jovi says. "He just didn't show up for work anymore."

While Bon Jovi admits he hasn't spoken to Sambora face-to-face in years, he did have a pleasant correspondence with his former bandmate on Twitter over the summer.

See photos of Bon Jovi through the years:

Following the August release of Bon Jovi's latest single, "This House Is Not for Sale," Sambora tweeted his congratulations, writing, "Congrats to all the guys on the new single!"

Sambora and his girlfriend, Orianthi, also shared a video in which he tells the band, "God bless. Good luck. Hope you guys do great ... big love."

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Bon Jovi later replied, tweeting, "Thanks Richie and Orianthi. Look forward to hearing your record too ... all the best, JBJ."

It's no wonder Bon Jovi could be so understanding of Sambora's exit. If any celebrity knows the importance of spending time with one's family, it's him. After all, Bon Jovi's 27-year-marriage to Dorothea Hurley is one of the strongest in show business.

"I am just a lucky guy," Bon Jovi says. "I got it right the first time. It is just that simple. And I would not trade it."

The couple shares four children together (Stephanie, 23, Jesse, 21, Jacob, 14, and Romeo, 12), and their oldest son, Jesse, plays football for Notre Dame.

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"I got all the Notre Dame swag. I mean all I could ever want!" Bon Jovi gushes.

And while the 54-year-old musician enjoys being able to relish in the normalcy of cheering on his son from the stands, he admits that it's usually short-lived.

"I'm just one of the dads," Bon Jovi explains, "but then the marching band starts playing 'Livin' on a Prayer.'"


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