Inside Richie Sambora’s Sweet Relationship with Daughter Ava, 26: She ‘Means Everything to Him’ (Exclusive)

Richie Sambora’s first priority is his daughter Ava.

Eleven years after leaving Bon Jovi in ​​the middle of their 2013 world tour, Sambora’s priorities have shifted, and the musician has decided to focus on his family, a source tells PEOPLE.

“Richie and Ava are very close. She’s his girlfriend,” the insider says of the rocker’s 26-year-old daughter. – She means everything to him and always has.

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Richie Sambora (L) and actress Ava Sambora at the 2014 Radio Disney Music Awards at Nokia Theater LA Live on April 26, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.

Frederick M. Brown/Getty

Richie Sambora thrilled with daughter Ava’s success as she gets her teachers: ‘I’m really proud’ (Exclusive)

Richie always had his daughter on his mind, even when he was on tour, the source added.

“Richie flew all the way from Australia to be there with Ava for Halloween when she was a child. Richie went to Louisville for the Barnstable Brown in the Kentucky Derby, played there and was supposed to hold an event for his child the following Saturday morning. He flew out is home [and] missed the derby to be there with her.”

After leaving Bon Jovi, Richie spent a lot more time with his daughter. “He would drive Ava to school. She’s been through a lot and he’s been there for her,” says the insider. – He would wake up in the morning and make her breakfast.

Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora with their daughter Ava.

L. Cohen/WireImage

Richie shares a daughter with ex Heather Locklear.

In November, the guitarist shared with PEOPLE how proud he was of his daughter after discovering she had earned her master’s degree.

“Ava is killing herself. She’s actually majoring in psychology,” the rocker dad told PEOPLE, adding that Ava had a master’s degree and was “getting ready to go for a Ph.D.”

“She’s doing a little bit of pre-req to get it together, but she came right out of school and… I mean, I’m really proud of her. She’s doing really, really well.”

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Source: HIS Education