Richie Sambora Has No Regrets About Leaving Bon Jovi To Care For Daughter
Ava Sambora just turned 23.
Richie Sambora has "no regrets" about leaving Bon Jovi to support his daughter.
The 'Livin' on a Prayer' rocker stepped away from the group in 2013 after 30 years in order to spent more time with Ava, his child from his marriage to Heather Locklear, and he believes he made the right decision to stop travelling with the band.
Ava turned 23 this week and graduated with honors from Loyola Marymount University in May, and her famous father couldn't be more "proud".
"She just had her birthday, and they had a family celebration.
"It was the right decision to step off the stage to be a full-time father. At the end, he was suffering being on the road so much. Richie has no regrets about leaving the band."
The 61-year-old guitarist has had a "rewarding" few years being there for all of Ava's important milestones.
The insider added: "Richie was happy being there to drive with Ava to her first day of high school and to pool parties with her friends.
"These last seven years have been the most loving and rewarding in his life. They have travelled the world together and brought friends to truly share the fun. He wouldn’t trade it for anything."
Ava is now splitting her time between both her parents' houses and recently started graduate school, and still has plenty of opportunities to hang out with her dad.
Ava Sambora celebrating her 22nd birthday with mother Heather Locklear at Fig and Olive in West Hollywood last year.
The source said: "Especially now that Heather is doing so well and loving life again, they feel like they have a second lease on life.
"Ava and her father spent her 23rd birthday hanging out at home. With Ava’s graduate school online school workload, Richie still enjoys every minute with her." — BANG
Photos: TPG News/Click Photos