Richie Sambora has ‘no regrets’ about quitting Bon Jovi in 2013 after 30 years

Grammy winner Richie Sambora continued, yet again, to discuss why he quit his band Bon Jovi in 2013 after 30 years.

At the time, the 61-year-old guitarist’s daughter Ava Elizabeth was 16 and she ‘needed me to be around at that point in time.’

‘It wasn’t a popular decision by any means, obviously, but there was really almost no choice about it. I had a lot of conscious work to do around [my personal life],’ Richie told People on Monday.

‘No regrets’: Grammy winner Richie Sambora (R) continued, yet again, to discuss why he quit his band Bon Jovi in 2013 after 30 years (pictured in 1986)

‘Family had to come first, and that’s what happened.’

Now 23, Ava is preparing for graduate school after receiving her BA degree in psychology from Loyola Marymount University in May.

‘I love being a dad more than anything,’ Sambora gushed.

‘I’m very, very proud of her and the way she turned out. She’s an amazing young woman with a bright future. She’s just dedicated to being a good person. And she is.’

'Family had to come first': At the time, the 61-year-old guitarist's daughter Ava Elizabeth (L) was 16 and she 'needed me to be around at that point in time' (pictured in 2018)

‘Family had to come first’: At the time, the 61-year-old guitarist’s daughter Ava Elizabeth (L) was 16 and she ‘needed me to be around at that point in time’ (pictured in 2018)

'I love being a dad more than anything!' Now 23, Ava (R) is preparing for graduate school after receiving her BA degree in psychology from Loyola Marymount University in May

‘I love being a dad more than anything!’ Now 23, Ava (R) is preparing for graduate school after receiving her BA degree in psychology from Loyola Marymount University in May 

'I'm very proud of her': Richie fathered the blonde beauty (2-L) from his 12-year marriage to six-time Golden Globe nominee Heather Locklear (L), which ended in 2007 (pictured in 2015)

‘I’m very proud of her’: Richie fathered the blonde beauty (2-L) from his 12-year marriage to six-time Golden Globe nominee Heather Locklear (L), which ended in 2007 (pictured in 2015)

Ava told People on Monday: 'He showed up to every dance recital I performed in and all of my school functions no matter how far he had to travel. He even flew all the way from Australia to surprise me at my father-daughter dance' (pictured May 26)

Ava told People on Monday: ‘He showed up to every dance recital I performed in and all of my school functions no matter how far he had to travel. He even flew all the way from Australia to surprise me at my father-daughter dance’ (pictured May 26)

The New Jersey-born, Calabasas-based musician fathered the blonde beauty from his 12-year marriage to six-time Golden Globe nominee Heather Locklear, which ended in 2007.

‘He showed up to every dance recital I performed in and all of my school functions no matter how far he had to travel,’ Ava chimed in.

‘He even flew all the way from Australia to surprise me at my father-daughter dance.’ 

'Poor Richie had some issues': But if you ask frontman Jon Bon Jovi (pictured December 9), Sambora's exit had everything to do with substance abuse - having completed two stints in rehab for painkillers and alcohol in 2007 and 2011

‘Poor Richie had some issues’: But if you ask frontman Jon Bon Jovi (pictured December 9), Sambora’s exit had everything to do with substance abuse – having completed two stints in rehab for painkillers and alcohol in 2007 and 2011

The 58-year-old singer told Apple Music's Zane Lowe on December 9: '[Richie] didn't show up for a show. And then subsequently, 80 more after that. And since 2013, we sat around waiting for him to get it together and come back'

'A day doesn't go by that I don't wish that the band were intact. But, people make decisions and it's okay, because being in a rock band is not a life sentence.'

The 58-year-old singer told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe (R) on December 9: ‘[Richie] didn’t show up for a show. And then subsequently, 80 more after that. And since 2013, we sat around waiting for him to get it together and come back’

One night only: The New Jersey-born, Calabasas-based musician and Bon Jovi reunited five years after he quit to perform at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

One night only: The New Jersey-born, Calabasas-based musician and Bon Jovi reunited five years after he quit to perform at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

But if you ask frontman Jon Bon Jovi, Richie’s exit had everything to do with substance abuse – having completed two stints in rehab for painkillers and alcohol in 2007 and 2011.

‘Poor Richie had some issues and didn’t show up for a show. And then subsequently, 80 more after that. And since 2013, we sat around waiting for him to get it together and come back,’ the 58-year-old singer told Apple Music‘s Zane Lowe on December 9.

‘A day doesn’t go by that I don’t wish that the band were intact. But, people make decisions and it’s okay, because being in a rock band is not a life sentence.’

Ladylove: Since 2014, Richie has been in an on/off relationship with Australian guitarist Orianthi Panagaris (R), who is 26 years younger than him (pictured December 5)

Ladylove: Since 2014, Richie has been in an on/off relationship with Australian guitarist Orianthi Panagaris (R), who is 26 years younger than him (pictured December 5)

Sambora – who hasn’t released new music since his RSO album Radio Free America in 2018 – and Bon Jovi reunited five years after he quit to perform at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction.

Since 2014, the Rise rocker has been in an on/off relationship with Australian guitarist Orianthi Panagaris, who is 26 years younger than him.

Richie also previously romanced Nikki Lund, Stacey Alden, Ally Sheedy, Cher, and Denise Richards.