Irish musician and political activist Bono is worth a whopping $700 million. The main reason for Bono’s fame is that he sang lead for the band U2. He has sold over 170 million records globally and put out 14 studio albums with U2.
Birth Name: Paul David Hewson
Net Worth: $700 Million
Birthdate: May 10, 1960 (63 years old)
Birthplace: Dublin
Gender: Male
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.75 m)
Profession: Singer, Musician, Film Score Composer, Businessperson, Songwriter, Guitarist, Actor, Activist, Lyricist, Film Producer
Nationality: Republic of Ireland
What Is Bono’s Net Worth?
U2 has undertaken several successful tours; its 360° Tour (2009–2011), which brought in over $736 million, broke the record for the highest-grossing concert tour ever. Numerous honors have been awarded to Bono for his unique voice and emotional lyrics, including 22 Grammy Awards and admission into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
As a passionate supporter of social justice, Bono co-founded DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) in 2002. This organization then evolved into ONE Campaign, a global advocacy group that combats extreme poverty and avoidable illnesses. In 2006, he also co-founded the (RED) campaign, which collaborates with international corporations to generate money and awareness for the battle against HIV/AIDS. In recognition of his humanitarian work, Bono has received multiple awards, such as the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize and the 2007 Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE).
Early Life
Bono was born Paul David Hewson on May 10, 1960, in Dublin, Ireland. Iris and Brendan Robert “Bob” Hewson raised him in the Finglas area. Bono was only 14 years old when Iris passed away. He was a member of Lypton Village, a surrealist street gang, alongside friends and grew up idolizing David Bowie, Bob Dylan, and Leonard Cohen. A nickname that the gang gave him was Bono Vox of O’Connell Street; the initial component of the term, bona vox, means “good voice.” He decided to go by Bono on stage, but close family and friends now also call him Bono in his private life.
U2
At sixteen years old, Bono replied to an advertisement on the bulletin board of his school by starting the band U2. Brothers Dik, Adam Clayton, and David Evans (The Edge) joined him in responding to the advertisement. In their early jam sessions, the band performed Beach Boys and Rolling Stones cover tunes, going under the name Feedback. They started writing their songs after realizing that their covers were not quite cutting it. Initially, Bono composed songs for the band in addition to singing and playing guitar.
In 1977, Feedback changed its name to U2. In 1980, U2 got signed to Island Records. The band discussed disbanding as a result of their lack of success after their initial albums and singles failed to make the charts. By the time “War,” released in 1983, became available, however, U2 had started to establish themselves and attract attention from worldwide. The band’s lead single, “New Year’s Day,” became their first international hit and peaked at No. 10 on the UK charts, receiving a lot of airplay outside of Europe.
With its No. 1 UK debut, the album became the band’s first commercial breakthrough. The band was well-known by the time their fifth album, “Joshua Tree,” came out in 1987. Bono’s lyrics from their 1991 album “Achtung Baby” revealed a more intimate side of him, since they were influenced by his personal experiences.
After releasing 14 studio albums, regularly selling out live arenas, and earning millions of dollars per tour, U2 went on to become one of the most well-known bands in the world. They also won 22 Grammy awards. Also, in 2003, Bono was awarded a Golden Globe for Best Original Song for his song “The Hands That Built America,” which was composed for the movie “Gangs of New York.”
Bono has penned the words to nearly every song that U2 has released. He is renowned for writing lyrics with a rebellious tone and a social justice subject that is politically heated. 2005 saw the induction of Bono and the other members of U2 into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Throughout his lengthy career, Bono has been included on numerous lists of the best vocalists and composers of all time. In addition to his success with U2, Bono has worked with hundreds of other performers, such as Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and Johnny Cash. The Broadway production of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark features music and lyrics penned by Bono and The Edge.
Personal Life
In 1982, Bono tied the knot with fellow activist and businesswoman Alison (Stewart) Hewson. Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q and John Abraham are their two boys, and Jordan and Memphis Eve are their two daughters. Being a devout Christian, according to Bono, inspires him to work as an activist and humanitarian.
Because of his glaucoma, Bono seldom ever appears without sunglasses. After suffering a spinal injury on a tour in May 2010, he was brought to a Munich, Germany clinic for emergency neurosurgery. Bono had a bike accident in November 2014 that almost destroyed his guitar-playing career. He had emergency surgery for five hours to fix his pinky finger, humerus, and shoulder blade.
Other Ventures
There is a widely held belief that Bono made his billion-dollar investment in Facebook through Elevation Partners, his private equity business. Elevation indeed invested about $210 million in Facebook before its initial public offering. Before unloading, the group’s stake was valued at approximately $1.5 billion at its highest point. Most people are unaware of the fact that Elevation was founded by six people, including Bono, and that Elevation is only entitled to about 20% of the earnings from its investments. All told, Bono personally profited from this Facebook investment to the tune of $40–50 million. Still, an incredible comeback!
In addition, Bono is a skilled businessman. After purchasing and renovating the Clarence Hotel in Dublin in 1992, Bono turned the 70-room building into a five-star hotel with 49 bedrooms. In addition, he is on the board of private equity firm Elevation Partners and has a sizable real estate portfolio. Bono became a member of the Zipline drone delivery board of directors in 2019.
Philanthropy
Through his participation in the Live Aid, Band-Aid, and Live 8 concerts as well as his advocacy for increased international involvement in the African AIDS problem and debt relief for the developing world, Bono has gained recognition as a social activist. He has appeared multiple times in Time’s list of the 100 most important people. After co-founding the group DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) in 2002, Bono launched the well-known Project Red, an effort to combat disease in Africa.
Chile awarded Bono the 2004 Pablo Neruda International Presidential Medal of Honor. In March of 2007, Bono received a formal knighthood in Dublin and was appointed an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2007. He was the recipient of the NAACP Image Award that year. In 2008, several Nobel Peace honor winners presented Bono with the annual Man of Peace honor.