
His parents initially agreed that the first child would be raised Anglican and the second Catholic. The Hewson household was an interdenominational Christian one Bono's mother was a member of the Church of Ireland, and his father was a Roman Catholic. Bono was raised in the Northside suburb of Finglas. Bono's brother, Norman, is eight years his senior. īono was born Paul David Hewson in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin on, the second child of Iris (née Rankin) and Brendan Robert "Bob" Hewson.

In business, he invested in the refurbishment of the Clarence Hotel in Dublin, and was managing director and a managing partner of the private equity firm Elevation Partners, which invested in several companies. He has collaborated with U2 bandmate the Edge on several projects, including: songs for Roy Orbison, Tina Turner, and Martin Garrix and the soundtracks to the musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark and a London stage adaptation of A Clockwork Orange. Outside the band, he has recorded with numerous artists. Bono has also attracted criticism for bypassing African businesses in his activist efforts and for tax avoidance in his personal finances. He was granted an honorary knighthood by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 2007 for "his services to the music industry and for his humanitarian work", and was made a Commandeur of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) in 2013. In 2005, Bono was named one of the Time Persons of the Year. Bono has been honoured for his philanthropic efforts. In pursuit of these causes, he has participated in benefit concerts and lobbied politicians and heads of state for relief. He is particularly active in campaigning for Africa, for which he co-founded DATA, EDUN, the ONE Campaign, and Product Red. As a member of U2, Bono has received 22 Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.Īside from his music, Bono is an activist for social justice causes, both through U2 and as an individual. As the band matured, his lyrics became inspired more by personal experiences shared with the other members. During U2's early years, Bono's lyrics contributed to the group's rebellious and spiritual tone. His lyrics frequently include social and political themes, and religious imagery inspired by his Christian beliefs. Bono soon established himself as a passionate frontman for the band through his expressive vocal style and grandiose gestures and songwriting.

He is the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the rock band U2.īorn and raised in Dublin, he attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his future wife, Alison Stewart, as well as schoolmates with whom he formed U2 in 1976. Paul David Hewson (born ), known by his stage name Bono ( / ˈ b ɒ n oʊ/), is an Irish singer-songwriter, activist, and philanthropist.
