Bono, born Paul David Hewson in Dublin on May 10, 1960, has been U2’s lead singer since 1976. The band has won 22 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Bono was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Identity & family.
KIN · 7
Names, aliases, and relatives of Bono — birth name, kin, and personal ties.
Birth NamePaul David Hewson
NicknamesBon, B Man, The Mirrorball Man, Paul Hewson, Paul D. Hewson, Paul D Hewson
AliasesBono Hewson, Paul Hewson, Bono Vox
PARENTS
Iris HewsonBob Hewson
SPOUSES
Ali Hewson
CHILDREN
Eve HewsonElijah HewsonJordan HewsonJohn Hewson
At a glance.
STATS
Bono by the numbers — life, work, and family.
66Age
215Film credits
2Books
16Awards
1Marriage
4Children
Who is Bono?
BIOGRAPHY
Bono — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
I.
Early life
When Bono was 14, in 1974, his mother Iris died from a brain hemorrhage. He grew up in Dublin and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School, where he met the schoolmates who would form U2. His father Bob worked as a postal worker.
II.
Career
In 1976, Bono formed the band U2 with schoolmates, and by 1991 they had become global superstars with the album Achtung Baby. U2 has won 22 Grammy Awards, and Bono has written songs with Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, and Luciano Pavarotti. In 2005, U2 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bono also co-wrote the theme song for the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye with The Edge, performed by Tina Turner.
III.
Personal life
Bono married his childhood sweetheart Ali Hewson in 1982. They have four children: Jordan born on Bono’s 29th birthday in 1989, Eve born 1991, Elijah born 1999, and John born 2001. Actress Eve Hewson is among their children. Ali once declined to run for President of Ireland because Bono refused to move to a smaller house. The family lives in Killiney, Dublin, and also has properties in France and New York.
IV.
Legacy
Bono was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for his work on third-world debt relief and AIDS awareness. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and was named Time Person of the Year in 2005 along with Bill and Melinda Gates. His silhouette is used as the Artists icon on iPhones. His music consoled Miles Davis and Joey Ramone in their final days.
Filmography.
FILMS · 215
Browse the complete filmography of Bono — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.
TV
The Simpsons
8.0(11k)
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
5.9(370)
TV
The Daily Show
6.4(630)
TV
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
6.2(346)
TV
The Graham Norton Show
7.2(276)
TV
Saturday Night Live
7.0(493)
TV
Top of the Pops
6.7(43)
TV
Entourage
7.4(643)
TV
NPR Tiny Desk Concerts
7.0(10)
TV
American Idol
5.1(177)
TV
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
5.4(199)
TV
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
5.6(171)
TV
MTV Video Music Awards
7.8(23)
TV
Tony Awards
()
·
Could not load more credits.
Awards & honors.
AWARDS · 16
Every award, honor, and recognition received by Bono — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.
Knight of the Legion of Honour01
Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres02
Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire03
MusiCares Person of the Year04
Philadelphia Liberty Medal05
TED Prize06
NAACP Image Award – Chairman's Award07
Grammy Awards08
doctor honoris causa of Keiō University09
Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences10
Officer of the Order of Liberty11
Time Person of the Year12
Man of Peace13
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame14
Order of Merit Ukraine, 3rd class15
Presidential Medal of Freedom16
Bibliography.
BOOKS · 2
Bono's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.
A wall of memorable lines from Bono — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.
It Costs a Fortune to Look This Trashy.
Never Trust a Man Who Tells You It’s from the Heart, Never Trust a Man Smoking a Cigar, Never Trust a Cowboy or a Man Who Wears Shades…
I Could Go Onstage, Unzip My Pants, and Hang My Dick Out, and People Would Think It Was a Statement About Something.
I Think ABBA Have a Pure Joy to Their Music and That’s What Makes Them Extraordinary.
U2 Is Sort of Song Writing by Accident Really. We Don’t Really Know What We’re Doing and When We Do, It Doesn’t Seem to Help.
When I Write, It’s There. There’s No Staring at a Blank Page.
Look, I’m Sick of Bono and I AM Bono.
It Would Be Wrong for Me to Say, ‘Yes, We Can Change the World with a Song.’ but Every Time I Try Writing, That’s Where I’m At. I’m Not Stupid. I’m Aware of the Futility of Rock & Roll Music, but I’m Also Aware of Its Power.
The World Is More Malleable Than You Think. We Can Bend It into a Better Shape. Ask Big Questions, Demand Big Answers.
I Hate the Idea of Being in the UK Hall of Fame to Be Honest with You. We Don’t Want to Be in Any Hall of Fame Until We’re Retired or Dead.
I Know Sometimes You Shouldn’t Judge Your Audience by the Fans You Meet, Especially If They’re in a Flowerbed in Your Garden at Home but U2 Fans Are Different, They’re Very Humane.
Brian Wilson Believes in Angels. I Do Too and You Only Have to Listen to the String Arrangement of ‘God Only Knows’ for Fact and Proof of Angels.
Great Music Is Written by People Who Are Either Running Toward or Away from God.
On Wearing His Trademark Sunglasses: Without Them, I’m an Amorphous Mass.
What About This Idea of Liberty? Not Liberty for Its Own Sake, but Liberty for Some Larger End Not Just Freedom from Oppression, but Freedom of Expression and Worship. Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear Because When You Are Trapped by Poverty, You Are Not Free. When Trade Laws Prevent You from Selling the Food You Grow, You Are Not Free. When You Are Dying of a Mosquito Bite for Lack of a Bed Net, You Are Not Free. When You Are Hungry in a World of Plenty, You Are Not Free. and When You Are a Monk in Burma This Very Week, Barred from Entering a Temple Because of Your Gospel of Peace, It Is an Affront to the Thug Regime, Well Then None of Us Are Truly Free.
I’m the Fidel Castro of Speechifying. We’ve Got a Few Hours, Don’t We?
On Visiting the White House: I’d Like to Think That I’ve Always Left the White House with More Than I Arrived. Not Only Budget Commitments, Cutlery, Silverware, Candelabras, One or Two Bush Family Photos… OK, One Gilbert Stuart Portrait of George Washington It Was in the Bathroom, Nobody Could See I’ll Give It Back.
The Stage Is but a Platform Shoe.
I’m Representing the Poorest and the Most Vulnerable People. I’m Throwing a Punch, and the Fist Belongs to People Who Can’t Be in the Room, Whose Rage, Whose Anger, Whose Hurt I Represent.
We’re Delighted, of Course, That People Are Owning up to Being U2 Fans.
The Problem with Voting Is No Matter Who You Vote For, the Government Always Gets In.
This Whole Concept of Celebrating the Millennium, the Whole Concept of Celebrating a Particular Minute in Time, What Is It? What’s It All About? It’s Bollocks, Isn’t It? It Is.
We Were Like the Bastard Children of the Clash Who Actually Believed That Music Could Change the World.
I Had One of the Worst Haircuts in the ’80S. I Know That It Launched a Million Second Division Soccer Players. but the Truth of It, If I’m Really Honest, Is That I Thought I Looked Like David Bowie.
Pop Music Has Dated Much Better Than a Lot of Rock Music.
Nelson Mandela Had Humor and Humility in His Bearing, and He Was Smarter and Funnier Than the Parade of World Leaders Who Flocked to See Him.. He Could Charm the Birds off the Trees and the Cash Right Out of Wallets.. Mandela Lived a Life Without Sanctimony. You Try It; It’s Not Easy.. Laughter, Not Tears Was Mandiba’s Preferred Way. One of His Cellmates Told Me That Price Mandela Paid for Working in the Limestone Mine Was Not Bitterness or Even the Blindness That Can Result from Being Around the Bright White Reflection Day After Day. Mandela Could See, but the Dust Damage to His Tear Ducts Had Left Him Unable to Cry. for All This Man’s Farsightedness and Vision, He Could Not Produce Tears in a Moment of Self Doubt or Grief.
More Than Anyone, It Was Mandela Who Rebooted the Idea of Africa from a Continent in Chaos to a Much More Romantic View, One in Keeping with the Majesty of the Landscape and the Nobility of Even Its Poorest Inhabitants. He Was Also a Hardheaded Realist, as His Economic Policy Demonstrated. to Him, Principles and Pragmatism Were Not Foes; They Went Hand in Hand. He Was an Idealist Without Naiveté, a Compromiser Without Being Compromised.
As an Activist, I Have Pretty Much Been Doing What Nelson Mandela Tells Me Since I Was a Teenager. He Has Been a Forceful Presence in My Life, Going Back to 1979 When U2 Made Its First Anti Apartheid Effort. and He’s Been a Big Part of the Irish Consciousness Even Longer Than That. Irish People Related All Too Easily to the Subjugation of Ethnic Minorities. from Our Point of View, the Question as to How Bloody South Africa Would Have to Get on Its Long Road to Freedom Was Not Abstract.
·
Did you know?
FACTS · 50
Little-known facts about Bono — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
01
Bono is the only person to be nominated for an Oscar, Grammy, Golden Globe, and the Nobel Peace Prize.
02
The song The Sweetest Thing was written after Bono missed his wife’s birthday; when rerecorded, all proceeds went to Ali Hewson, who donated them to a charity for Chernobyl victims.
03
Bono has co-written or written songs for Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Keith Richards, Luciano Pavarotti, Sinéad O’Connor, and Howie B.
04
Bono’s trademark sunglasses are medically necessary: he has a rare glaucoma that could cause blindness if exposed to bright lights or sunlight.
05
Bono is the godfather of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s twins, Vivienne and Knox.
06
Bono’s silhouette serves as the icon for the Artists tab on iPhone and iPod Touch.
07
His stage name derives from Bono Vox, a hearing aid brand, which means good voice in Latin.
08
Bono’s mother Iris died of a brain hemorrhage in 1974, when he was 14.
09
Early in their career, fewer than ten people paid to see U2; by the early 1990s, the band became Ireland’s biggest export.
10
Bono was a schoolboy chess champion.
11
Bono lives in Killiney, Dublin, and owns properties in Èze, France and New York City, shared with bandmate The Edge.
12
Jazz legend Miles Davis listened to U2’s The Unforgettable Fire repeatedly in his final months; Joey Ramone’s last song was U2’s In a Little While.
13
Bono co-founded Product RED with Robert Shriver, raising money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
14
Bono’s children: Jordan born on his 29th birthday, 10 May 1989, Eve 7 July 1991, Elijah 18 August 1999, and John 21 May 2001.
15
Bono and The Edge co-wrote ‘She’s a Mystery to Me’ for Roy Orbison’s final album Mystery Girl 1989.
16
Bono is the only rock musician to receive nominations for an Oscar, Grammy, Golden Globe, and Nobel Peace Prize.
17
Daughter Jordan was born on Bono’s 29th birthday, May 10, 1989.
18
TIME magazine named Bono one of its Persons of the Year in 2005, alongside Bill and Melinda Gates.
19
Bono named his first daughter Jordan after his friend, filmmaker Neil Jordan.
20
In 2003, Bono illustrated Peter and the Wolf with daughters Jordan and Eve, donating royalties to the Irish Hospice Foundation.
21
On 20 January 2007, Bono was made an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
22
Bono donates millions of dollars to charity annually.
23
Opera star Luciano Pavarotti repeatedly called Bono’s father to persuade Bono to write a song for him.
24
U2 songs I Will Follow, Mofo, Out of Control, and Tomorrow deal with the death of Bono’s mother.
25
Bono sang the line ‘well tonight, thank God it’s them, instead of you’ on the original 1984 recording of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas? and again on the 2004 Band Aid 20 version.
26
In 2005, Bono was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his activism on Third World debt and AIDS.
27
Entertainment Weekly ranked U2 the 22nd Greatest Rock n Roll Artists of all time.
28
Bono and The Edge co-wrote the theme to 1995’s GoldenEye, performed by Tina Turner.
29
With his wife Ali and designer Rogan, Bono launched the Edun clothing line, focusing on fair trade and support for developing nations.
30
Bono is a close friend of The Killers’ lead singer Brandon Flowers.
31
Though a Band Aid member, Bono missed the Top of the Pops performance, so Paul Weller mimed his line.
32
Bono’s father, Robert Hewson, died of cancer in Dublin.
33
Bono is a devoted fan of Elvis Presley.
34
On MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch, Bono was killed by Yoko Ono in 1999 and later fought Chris Martin in 2006.
35
Despite receiving an honorary knighthood, Bono may not use the title Sir.
36
In 1994, Bono became the first Grammy winner to say fuck on the live telecast.
37
Music executives voted Bono the most powerful personality in the industry.
38
VH1 ranked Bono #17 on its list of the 100 Sexiest Artists.
39
Bono and The Edge worked on music for the Spider-Man rock-opera musical.
40
Bono’s fourth child, John Abraham, was born weighing 7 lbs 7 oz in Dublin.
41
Bono’s mother was named Iris.
42
Bono supports Celtic Football Club.
43
Bono serves as lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primary lyricist for U2.
44
U2 won the Brit Award for International Group in 1990.
45
In November 2003, Bono was a keynote speaker at the Liberal Party of Canada’s leadership convention.
46
Bono addressed the British Labour Party’s annual conference in Brighton.
47
In 1988, U2 won the British Phonographic Industry Award for International Group.
48
Bono attended the Sarajevo Film Festival.
49
U2 won a second Brit Award for International Group in 1989.
50
Bono performed a duet with Russian singer Yuriy Shevchuk in Russia.
·
You wanted to know.
FAQ · 32
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Bono.
01When was Bono born?
Bono was born on May 10, 1960 in Dublin, Ireland. His birth name is Paul David Hewson.
02Where was Bono born?
Bono was born in Dublin, Ireland on May 10, 1960 to Iris and Bob Hewson.
03How old is Bono?
As of 2025, Bono is 65 years old. He was born on May 10, 1960 in Dublin, Ireland.
04What is Bono's real name?
Bono’s real name is Paul David Hewson. He adopted the stage name Bono from a hearing aid brand.
05What does Bono do for a living?
Bono is a recording artist, actor, and composer. He is best known as the lead singer of the rock band U2.
06What nationality is Bono?
Bono is Irish. He was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland.
07What language does Bono speak?
Bono speaks English. He is a native English speaker from Ireland.
08Who are Bono's parents?
Bono’s parents are Iris Rankin and Brendan Robert Hewson. His mother died of a brain hemorrhage in 1974 when he was 14.
09Who is Bono married to?
Bono married Ali Hewson, his childhood sweetheart, in 1982. They have four children together.
10Does Bono have children?
Yes, Bono has four children: Jordan, Eve, Elijah, and John. Actress Eve Hewson is among them.
11Where did Bono go to school?
Bono attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin. He met his future U2 bandmates there.
12What awards has Bono won?
Bono has won numerous awards including 22 Grammy Awards with U2, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and an honorary knighthood. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
13How many awards has Bono won?
Bono has received at least 16 major individual and group awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Legion of Honour. With U2, he has won 22 Grammy Awards.
14What is Bono best known for?
Bono is best known as the lead vocalist of U2, a band formed in 1976 that has sold millions of albums worldwide. He is also known for his humanitarian work, especially in Africa.
15How tall is Bono?
Bono is 5 feet 6 inches 1.66 meters tall. His height is often commented on, but he compensates with a strong stage presence.
16What is the origin of Bono's nickname?
Bono’s nickname comes from Bono Vox, a hearing aid brand that means good voice in Latin. He was given the nickname by his friend Guggi.
17What aliases has Bono used?
Bono has used aliases like Bono Hewson, Paul Hewson, and Bono Vox. He also used the stage name The Mirrorball Man during U2’s Zoo TV tour.
18What is the story behind Bono's sunglasses?
Bono wears sunglasses due to a rare form of glaucoma that makes his eyes sensitive to light. He is under strict doctor’s orders to wear them at all times, even indoors.
19What is Product RED?
Product RED is a brand co-founded by Bono and Robert Shriver in 2006. It partners with companies to raise money for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
20Has Bono won a Nobel Peace Prize?
Bono has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, most notably in 2003 and 2005, but has not won. The nomination recognized his work on debt relief and AIDS awareness.
21What charities does Bono support?
Bono supports many charities, including Product RED and the ONE Campaign. He has donated millions to various causes, especially in Africa.
22What is Bono's connection to Spider-Man?
Bono and U2 bandmate The Edge wrote music for the Spider-Man musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. The show opened on Broadway in 2011.
23What is Edun?
Edun is a fashion line co-founded by Bono, his wife Ali Hewson, and designer Rogan. It focuses on fair trade and supporting developing countries.
24Did Bono say 'fuck' on live TV?
Yes, during U2’s performance at the 1994 Grammy Awards, Bono exclaimed fuck on live television. He was the first Grammy winner to do so.
25What is Bono's relationship with Neil Jordan?
Bono is a close friend of filmmaker Neil Jordan. He named his first daughter Jordan after him.
26Did Bono write a song for his wife?
Yes, Bono wrote the song The Sweetest Thing for his wife Ali after missing her birthday. The proceeds from the rerecorded version were donated to charity.
27What was Bono's mother's name?
Bono’s mother’s name was Iris Hewson née Rankin. She died of a brain hemorrhage in 1974.
28What U2 songs are about Bono's mother?
Several U2 songs focus on the death of Bono’s mother, including I Will Follow, Mofo, Out of Control, and Tomorrow.
29Is Bono a knight?
Bono was appointed an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2007. However, as a non-UK citizen, he cannot use the title Sir.
30What is Bono's height in feet and inches?
Bono is 5 feet 6 inches tall, which is about 1.66 meters. He often wears elevated shoes on stage.
31How many children does Bono have and what are their names?
Bono has four children: Jordan born 1989, Eve born 1991, Elijah born 1999, and John born 2001. Eve is an actress.
32What was Bono's first band?
Bono’s first band was U2, which he founded in 1976 with schoolmates at Mount Temple Comprehensive School. The band has been together ever since.
·
Read next.
RELATED · 12
Celebrities similar to Bono — same craft, ranked by reach.
Michael is the last person to read a profile before it goes live, which makes him the one who catches what everyone else missed. 5 years as a copy editor has given him a sharp sense for what's off. A wrong year, a vague credit, a sentence that almost makes sense but doesn't quite. He's especially thorough with filmographies. He'll tell you that's where most of the errors hide. He's right.
Report an issue
If something on this page looks off, we genuinely want to know about it. Send us a quick email with the celebrity's name, the detail that seems incorrect, and any sources you're referencing. We review every report and update the page as soon as we can.
