At 66, Richie Sambora Breaks His Silence — The Real Reason He Left Bon Jovi

For years, fans wondered why Richie Sambora, Bon Jovi’s legendary guitarist and co-songwriter, walked away from the band at the height of their fame. His sudden departure in 2013 left both fans and fellow bandmates shocked and searching for answers. Now, at 66 years old, Sambora is finally breaking his silence—and what he’s revealed has brought both understanding and surprise.

In the new Hulu documentary Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, Sambora opens up about the deeply personal reasons behind his decision to leave. Despite widespread rumors of conflict, addiction, or creative differences, Sambora says it came down to something far more human: family.

“I didn’t receive a lot of compassion for what I was going through,” he says in a candid moment during the series. At the time, his ex-wife, actress Heather Locklear, was struggling with serious mental health issues. Their daughter, Ava, was still young, and Sambora felt pulled between the demands of a global touring schedule and his responsibilities at home. “I needed to be there for my daughter,” he says. “That’s it. That’s the truth.”

His words, though simple, hit hard. For a man who had spent decades on the road, making music and performing to sold-out arenas, walking away wasn’t easy. But Sambora insists it was necessary. “I don’t regret leaving the situation,” he adds, “but I regret how I did it.”

For the first time, Sambora admits that his sudden disappearance caused pain—not just for fans, but for the band he helped build. Jon Bon Jovi, for his part, echoes this sentiment in the documentary. He says there was never animosity, only hurt. “I always loved Richie,” Jon shares. “But it was hard. It was like losing a brother.”

Sambora also addressed long-circulating rumors that his departure was due to substance abuse. While he acknowledges having gone to rehab in 2007 and again in 2011, he clarified that both times, he was already sober and went voluntarily to maintain his mental health. In fact, he later helped counsel others dealing with similar issues—something he says brought him peace and purpose.

In the years since leaving Bon Jovi, Sambora has lived a quieter life, focusing on songwriting, producing, and raising his daughter. While he occasionally performs, he has not returned to the demanding pace of life on tour—and says he doesn’t miss it. “I’m still making music. That never left me. But I needed to be a dad first.”

Fans have responded with an outpouring of support. What once seemed like a mystery or even betrayal has now been reframed as an act of love and sacrifice. As one fan wrote on social media, “He didn’t quit. He chose his family. That’s the kind of man he is.”