Richie Sambora's mother Joan has passed away just four days before her 90th birthday as the former Bon Jovi rocker mourns the heartbreaking loss.
The 66-year-old guitarist's mother died at her home in New Jersey on Sunday, January 11 - where he had also resided to help take care of her over the past few years.
Her death was confirmed by People on Tuesday, with a source telling the outlet that Sambora and his daughter Ava, 28, have been left 'heartbroken.'
The musician was the only son of Joan and his father Adam - who passed away in 2007 following a battle with lung cancer.
Joan had been born in 1936 and was seen at events alongside her son over the past decades in support of his music career.
Back in 2024, it was revealed that Sambora had flown back to his home state in order to be by his mother's side after she suffered a couple falls.
Her death was confirmed by People on Tuesday, with a source telling the outlet that Sambora, 66, and his daughter Ava, 28, have been left 'heartbroken'
That year, a fall had left her with injuries including a broken hip - and a separate insider had told People that his mother was recuperating in rehab.
Sambora also 'went through the whole house and renovated it. He bought her smaller furniture to make it easier for her.'
The music artist additionally provided Joan with 24/7 care due to her not wanting to spend time in the hospital.
'He's anonly child and a devoted son. They're first-generation immigrants, so family is very important to him,' the source said.
Joan had occasionally appeared in social media pictures with her son and also made an appearance at glitzy red carpet events.
Back in 2012, she was seen flashing a proud smile as she stood next to Sambora as well as his daughter Ava and actress Denise Richards at the 12th Annual Golden Heart Awards in Beverly Hills.
The musician was the lead guitarist of the rock band Bon Jovi from 1983 until his exit years later in 2013.
And during an exclusive interview with DailyMailTV in 2020, Sambora got candid about the reasoning behind his departure - which he previously explained had been due to 'personal reasons.'
Back in 2024, it was revealed that Sambora had flown back to his home state in order to be by his mother's side after she suffered a couple falls; the pair seen above in 2009 in New Jersey
'He's an only child and a devoted son. They're first-generation immigrants so family is very important to him,' the source said; Sambora seen in 2023 in L.A.
Joan had occasionally appeared in social media pictures with her son and also made an appearance at glitzy red carpet events; Sambora seen with his mother,daughter Ava(right)andDeniseRichards(left)in2012inBeverlyHills
'Obviously it hurts and you know, breaking up is hard to do,' the guitarist said in regards to leaving the band - which was founded by Jon Bon Jovi in 1983.
The lead singer and Sambora had been two of the original members including Alec John Such,Dav idBryanandTicoTorres.
'I was in a situation and it was not easy to make that decision to leave the band and the fans,'SamborafurtherexplainedtoDailyMailTVas heneededto takecareofhis daughterAva.
He sharesAva withex-wifeHeatherLocklear,w homhewasmarriedtofrom1994untiltheirdivorcewasin2007.
'IwasinadiresituationwithmyfamilyandIhad tomakeatoughdecisionandIdidandI'msurepeopleweren't happyaboutit.'
The interview camenotlongaftersingerBonJovihadm adecommentsaboutSambora' sexit.
'There'snotadaythatgoesbythatIdon'twishthatR ichiehadhislifetogetherandwasstillintheb and,'thesingerhadsaid.
'Inaweirdway,it'sbecauseofhis inability togetit togetheranymorethat wewentonandwrote[thealbum]ThisHouseIsNotForSale.'
'Obviously it hurts and you know, breaking up is hard to do,'theguitaristsaidinregards toleavingtheband—whichwasfoundedbyJonBonJoviin1983;seenabovefarrightwiththebandin1984
'IwasinadiresituationwithmyfamilyandIhad tomakeatoughdecisionandIdidandI'msurepeopleweren't happyaboutit;'Samborasaid;seenabovewithdaughterAva
Samboraalso gaveanupdate abouthisrelationship withBonJoviatthetime.
'We've hadourupsanddownsthroughouttheyearsasany marriedcouplehave.JonandIspentmoretime togetherthanwe spentwithourfamiliesbecausehim andIwrotethesongs.'
He thenreflectedonhis daughtergraduatingfrom LSUandgushedthat 'sheandIhavejustbeenreallyfantasticandwe justhaveagreatrelationship.'
But whenitcomes toreunitingwiththerockband,Sambora expressed,'Itwouldhave tobeaspecial situationformetogoback,butI'mcertainlynot countingitout.Ihavenomalicetowardthatband.'
Despitehis exitover10yearsearlier,theguitaristmadean appearanceinthe2024HuludocuseriestitledThankYou, Goodnight: TheBonJoviStory.
Duringabehind-the-scenesclipsharedtohisInstagram page,hediscussedhisexitfromtherockband.
Butwhenitcomes toreunitingwiththerockband,Sambora expressed,'Itwouldhave tobeaspecial situationformetogoback,butI'mcertainlynot countingitout.Ihavenomalicetowardthatband';seeninFebruary2025inSanPedro
'Idon'tregretleavingthesituation,butIregrethow Ididit,'Samboraadmitted.
'So,Iwouldlike toapologizefullyrightnowtothefans,especially alsototheguysbecausemyfeetandmyspiritwerejust notlettingmewalkoutthedoor.'
BonJoviareunitinglaterthisyearfortheForeverTour whichissettokickoffinJulyandwillcometoanendin September.
Samborawasinitiallyreportedto bejoiningthebandmemberson stage- butitwaslaterrevealedthatthemusicianwillnot be takingpartinthe tour,muchto thedisappointmentof fans.