Biography
Jon Bon Jovi — musician with roots in the Russian Empire
Jon Bon Jovi is an American rock musician, singer, and actor who founded Bon Jovi — one of the world's best-selling rock bands with over 130 million records sold. From Livin' on a Prayer to It's My Life, Bon Jovi's anthemic rock defined the sound of stadium rock across four decades.
Russian Connection
Tracing the roots — Russian ancestry unspecified
His mother Carol Sharkey is of German and Russian descent — her maternal lineage traces back to documented Russian immigrants. While less direct than many in this database, it is well-documented in his family tree and qualifies him for inclusion.
Mother's partial Russian roots.[web:17]
Family Tree
Subject
Jon Bon Jovi🇺🇸 USA
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Grandparents
Mother of partial Russian descent
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Origin
Russian ancestry unspecified🇷🇺 Russian Empire
Historical context
Russian Empire · c. 1721–1917
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Russian ancestry unspecified. At the time, this region lay within the Russian Empire, which spanned from Poland to the Pacific.
Map: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Key Achievements
A career defined by ambition
01
Over 130 million records sold worldwide
02
Livin' on a Prayer (1986) — one of the best-selling rock singles ever
03
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (2018)
04
Slippery When Wet (1986) — 12x Platinum in the USA
05
Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation — major US charity for the homeless
Sources