Stephanie Rose Bongiovi Has a Troubled Past – Facts about Jon Bon Jovi's Daughter

Stephanie Rose Bongiovi was born into a loving family that never shunned her when she made mistakes. The 20-something-year-old had a run-in with the law in the early 2010s, and although it was the "worst moment" for her dad, the scare also served as an eye-opener.

Stephanie Rose Bongiovi is the eldest child and only daughter of rock legend Jon Bon Jovi, with whom she has shared a most endearing bond. When her parents discovered they were expecting, Stephanie became the highest priority in her dad's life, despite leading a rewarding career as a musician.

However, as Jon acknowledged, his daughter was born into a generation separate from his own, and there were things even he couldn't prevent from happening. Stephanie suffered a short-lived health scare in 2012 that led to criminal charges yet ironically brought her family closer. Not long after it passed, she began her career working behind the scenes in filmmaking.

Stephanie Rose Bongiovi Inspired Her Father's Song

Stephanie drew her first breath on May 31, 1993. Being the first child of Jon and his wife, Dorothea Hurley, her parents had planned to have her and were thrilled when they discovered she would arrive soon. As Stephanie's arrival grew closer, Jon lowered his career on his priority list.

Though he continued working, he was more than willing to leave mid-performance if need be to be present for his first baby's birth. Over time, Stephanie's younger brothers, Jesse, Romeo, and Jake Bongiovi (Millie Bobby Brown's beau), also came along. When she was seven, her dad wrote and dedicated the beloved song "I Got the Girl" to her.

Stephanie danced to the tune onstage with her dad at that age, and 17 years later, they recreated the sweet moment. As Jon performed the song during a March 2017 concert in Las Vegas, he reflected on having a "little bitty baby" who "wasn't so little anymore."

A then-23-year-old Stephanie made her way onstage right after, much to the surprise and excitement of numerous fans, and shared a dance with her dad. As the song ended, they embraced and gave each other a peck on both cheeks.

As Jon's home and career responsibilities accumulated, the rocker was stretched thin and eventually reached mental and physical burnout. It was to the point of suicidal ideation, but because he had Stephanie, her brothers, and his wife, the singer was able to pull through.

Stephanie Got into Trouble with the Law in 2012

Stephanie was attending Hamilton College in New York City when it happened. That year, she had a drug overdose that left her hospitalized and charged with drug possession. Although she landed on the wrong side of the law, she was in a unique position that allowed her to keep her criminal record clean.

New York law strictly prohibited the prosecution of drug overdose patients, so the charges were dropped. During a March 2013 interview, Jon assured fans that Stephanie was "doing great." But reflecting on the experience a few months later, he lamented, "It was my worst moment as a father."

And yet, it fostered a stronger bond between himself, Stephanie, and the rest of their family. It also served as an eye-opener, as he later realized that drug overdose was more prevalent than he imagined, even among close friends and family. Jon further acknowledged:

"I wasn't aware of it, not because I'm not home but because it is a different world. Our world is far more relatable to our parents' world than the kids' world."

Stephanie Is Now Developing Her Career in Filmmaking

She graduated from The New School with a Bachelor's degree in Film/Cinema/Video studies and began working as an assistant at The Weinstein Company in September 2013. In 2015, she interned on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and Vice Media LLC before working freelance as First Assistant Camera at NorthSouth Productions from 2017 onwards.

Among her credits is the 2021 Netflix drama "Passing," starring Tessa Mae Thompson, Ruth Negga, and Andre Holland. She's also known as a long-standing camera operator for the comical reality TV shows "Impractical Jokers" and "Impractical Jokers: After Party" since 2018.