Jon Bon Jovi said Richie Sambora’s 2013 exit hurt deeply, but he forgave him after a 2024 apology.

Jon Bon Jovi has shared that Richie Sambora’s 2013 departure from the band during a tour caused deep emotional pain, with Sambora not apologizing until years later. Speaking on Bunnie Xo’s podcast, Bon Jovi praised Sambora’s talent and longtime partnership, calling him a valued friend and collaborator. He expressed sorrow over the abrupt exit and the prolonged lack of closure, though he said he no longer holds blame. Sambora later apologized publicly in the 2024 documentary *Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story*, and Bon Jovi emphasized that while he still feels sadness over how things ended, he respects Sambora’s choices and maintains affection for him.