Richie Sambora's Mom Joan Sambora Dies 4 Days Shy of 90th Birthday: 'Heartbroken' (Exclusive)
- - Richie Sambora's Mom Joan Sambora Dies 4 Days Shy of 90th Birthday: 'Heartbroken' (Exclusive)
Dave QuinnJanuary 13, 2026 at 9:51 AM
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Joan Sambora, Richie Sambora and his daughter Ava Sambora -
Richie Sambora's mom Joan Sambora has died, PEOPLE can exclusively confirm
Born Joan Sienila on Jan. 15 in 1936, she died four days short of her 90th birthday
The guitarist cared for his mother full-time, a source tells PEOPLE, and was hopeful she would be able to attend her granddaughter Ava Sambora’s May 2026 wedding
Joan Sambora, the beloved mother of Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora, died peacefully at her home in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, on Sunday, Jan. 11, just four days before her 90th birthday.
PEOPLE can confirm the news exclusively. A source tells PEOPLE that Richie his daughter, Ava Sambora, are "heartbroken" over the loss.
Joan, the wife of the late Adam Sambora and mother to her only child Richie, had been cared for by Richie in recent years. After suffering back-to-back falls in 2023 and 2024 — first breaking her hip and her wrist, then later her back and ribs — the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer moved in full-time to be by her side, "relentlessly pursuing getting his mom back on her feet."
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Richie Sambora with his mother Joan Sambora in 2009
Richie had been Joan’s primary support system since the death of his father Adam in 2007 from lung cancer.
The insider says Richie never hesitated to leave his residences in California or Hawaii at a moment’s notice to return to New Jersey. He spent months living in the basement of his mother’s home so he could be close to her around the clock, even ringing in 2025 by her side, the source tells PEOPLE.
He was so devoted to caring for his mother amid her recovery, the source notes, that Richie hired top medical care and support teams for 24/7 care to help Joan regain strength and stay comfortable.
The family had been holding onto hope that Joan would be well enough to attend her granddaughter Ava's wedding to fiancé Tyler Farrar, set for May 2026 in California, the source says.
The insider previously said that Joan was especially excited about the nuptials, and that Ava — whom Richie shares with ex-wife Heather Locklear — recently flew to the East Coast for a visit with her grandmother.
Joan, born Joan Sienila on Jan. 15 in 1936, worked as a secretary and raised her son in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey. He grew up Richard Stephen Sambora and graduated from Woodbridge High School in 1977 before going on to become one of rock’s most recognized guitarists.
No funeral details were shared,
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
