Richie Sambora has "no regrets" about leaving Bon Jovi to support his daughter

Ava turned 23 this week and graduated with honors from Loyola Marymount University in May, and her famous father couldn't be more "proud".

A source told People magazine: "Richie sacrificed a lot to be there for his daughter when she was still very young and needed him the most, and he's so proud to see how well she's doing now.

"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.

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."