A look into Bono’s life today: his potential plans to step away from U2, the discovery of a secret brother, and an unexpected connection to the Kardashians. Here’s the full story.

U2 frontman Bono, whose real name is Paul Hewson, has lived an extraordinary life both on and off the stage. At 64, he remains as dynamic as ever, navigating personal revelations and the lives of his talented children.

Four decades have passed since Bono joined the iconic Band Aid project to combat world hunger, and much has changed since then. Widely regarded as one of music’s greatest legends, Bono’s journey has not been without its hurdles. From navigating turbulent moments in his marriage to uncovering shocking family secrets, the rock star has always been open about his life beyond the global fame and sold-out stadiums.

Now, as Band Aid returns with the Ultimate Mix for its 40th anniversary—though it has faced criticism from stars like Ed Sheeran—the Mirror takes a closer look at Bono’s life today, including a surprising revelation from his children.

Bono’s Surprising Kardashian Connection

Bono, a proud father of four with his wife Ali Stewart, has a close-knit family that often collaborates creatively. Among his children are actress Eve Hewson, known for her role in Netflix’s The Perfect Couple, as well as Jordan, 35, Elijah, 25, a rock singer, and John, 23.

In September, Eve humorously revealed a playful comparison between her dad and the Kardashian family matriarch. She described Bono as a “stage dad,” likening him to Kris Jenner, the infamous “momager” of the Kardashian clan.

Daughter Eve refers to him as Kris Jenner (Image: Corbis via Getty Images)

During an interview on the Today show, the 33-year-old actress, who plays Becka Garvey in Bad Sisters, said:
“I’ve called him this before, and he loves it, but he’s the male Kris Jenner. He’s all about it, just a huge, huge fan. He’s always like, ‘So this is what you gotta do: You gotta call up this person, you gotta do this,’ and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, calm down.’”

Bono’s unwavering support for his children highlights his enthusiasm for their creative pursuits, even if it occasionally mirrors Jenner’s famously over-the-top management style.

Bono’s “Dad-aging” Ways and Family Talent

Even as grown adults with thriving careers, Bono’s children still experience his hands-on parenting style. Actress Eve Hewson humorously admitted that she and her siblings “can’t stop him” from being an involved and enthusiastic father.

In an interview with Net-a-Porter’s Porter magazine in August, Eve shared a playful memory about her family’s creative dynamics. “We have a studio at the end of [my parents’] garden, where [we] usually end up in the middle of the night, writing stupid songs. I actually got kicked out of the family band for being too enthusiastic. One evening, I noticed they were all in the studio together. I came in, I grabbed a bass, I started slapping the bass.”

Bono’s influence is clear in his son Elijah’s career as well. Following in his father’s footsteps, Elijah is the frontman of the Irish rock band Inhaler, which he co-founded in 2012.

When asked by Louder magazine about Bono’s thoughts on his music, Elijah noted his dad’s mix of support and honesty: “He loves it, and if he didn’t, he’d probably tell me!”

The Hewson family’s shared passion for creativity and music showcases their close bond, with Bono’s parenting style playing a central role in shaping their journeys.

Bono’s Secret Brother

In 2022, Bono made a surprising revelation about his family: a relative he had long believed to be his cousin was actually his half-brother. As recounted in his memoir, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, Bono discovered that his father, Bob Hewson, had an affair with Bono’s aunt, Barbara, resulting in the birth of Scott Rankin.

Bono’s mother, Iris, who tragically passed away when he was just 14, was unaware of her husband’s affair. Reflecting on the discovery during an interview on Desert Island Discs with Lauren Laverne, Bono shared how he eventually found peace with the revelation and his father, who died in 2001—a year after disclosing the truth about Scott.

“My father was going through a lot. His head was elsewhere because his heart was elsewhere,” Bono said. “I could tell my father had a deep friendship with this gorgeous woman who was part of the family, and then they had a child, which was all kept a secret. Nobody knew.”

When Bono confronted his father about the affair, he asked, “Did you love my mother?” to which his father replied, “Yes.” Bono then pressed further, questioning how it could happen. His father responded, “It can,” explaining that he had tried to do the right thing, though without offering an apology.

Reflecting on their conversation, Bono remarked, “He wasn’t apologising, he was just stating these are the facts. I am at peace with it.”

The revelation added another layer of complexity to Bono’s already extraordinary life story, illustrating his journey of understanding and reconciliation.

Bono’s Reflections on Family, Marriage, and Reconciliation

An Apology to His Father
After his father’s passing, Bono made a private and heartfelt apology during a visit to a chapel in France. He shared:
“There was nobody there, I lit a candle, and I got on my knees, and I just said, ‘Look, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you; you went through a lot, and please forgive me.’ And I felt free.”

Relationship with Brother Scott
In his memoir, Bono also opened up about his relationship with his half-brother, Scott Rankin. He revealed:
“The truth is with Scott, we felt like brothers long before we knew we were. I love Scott and his mother, Barbara. I must have known that something was up, and I must have held my father responsible for kind of making my mother unhappy in the way kids just pick up things.”

Bon’s father had an affair with his mother’s sister (Image: Irish Mirror)

Scott, breaking his silence in The Irish Times, reflected on his unique family story with gratitude:
“Not all such stories turn out the way mine has, and I was fortunate to discover that I had two fathers take an active part in my upbringing. I feel blessed to have been welcomed with open arms into the Hewson family.”

Challenges and Devotion in Marriage

The couple met as teenagers before Bono became famous (Image: Getty Images North America)

Bono’s 40-year marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Ali Hewson, was also a focal point of his memoir, which he described as a “love letter” to her. The couple met in school, with Ali recalling in a 2008 interview with The Telegraph:
“It was 1976 that we got together—the same year that the band formed. I saw their first gig in our school gym.”

They married in 1982, as Bono’s music career soared. Ali, a businesswoman and activist, has inspired many of U2’s iconic love songs, including the deeply emotional All I Want Is You. Despite challenges, Bono’s reflections highlight their enduring bond and the central role Ali has played in his life and music.

Ali once considered ending the marriage during a ‘dark’ time (Image: Corbis via Getty Images)

Navigating “Dark Waters” in Marriage

Bono has openly admitted that his 40-year marriage to Ali Hewson has faced its challenges. In the 1980s, their relationship hit a rough patch, with Ali contemplating an end to their union as they navigated what she referred to as “dark waters.”

Bono’s relentless touring schedule had strained their home life, but the couple found a way to persevere. Speaking to The Sunday Times Magazine, Bono reflected:
“It’s not like our love was absent any dark undercurrents or briny water, [but] we got each other through those bits where it was hard to see where we were. Ali calls it ‘the work of love.’ I wish she wouldn’t use the word ‘work’ because I have a feeling there’s an adjective, ‘hard,’ that’s inferred…”

He went on to describe the dynamic that helped sustain their relationship:
“If one of us got lost, the other was going to get us back. That’s kind of been the way it’s been for us. I think in relationships, somebody is in charge at some point, but you swap. It’s a relay race.”

Despite the difficulties, Bono’s words highlight the resilience and mutual support that have defined their enduring partnership. Their journey reflects the complexities of long-term relationships, with a shared commitment to navigating challenges together.

Bono on Marriage and U2

Marriage Challenges and Resolution
Bono reflected on the critical role Ali Hewson has played in their relationship, emphasizing her strong sense of self and independence. He explained:
“The significant thing about Ali was she was never going to be ‘her indoors,’ she was never going to be just my girlfriend, and she was never going to be just my wife. So if I was home, I’d better be present. And in the Eighties at some point, I was home, but I wasn’t present. And that’s when I think she wanted to jump.”

Fortunately, the couple managed to work through their difficulties and are now believed to be very happy together, a testament to their enduring partnership and mutual dedication.

Bono’s Thoughts on Quitting U2
Last year, Bono revealed that the idea of stepping away from U2 has crossed his mind, as it has for all members of the band. Speaking to The Sun, he admitted:
“I have certainly thought about walking away from U2; every member has. We have all thought about it.”

He elaborated on the band’s collective introspection, adding:
“It is the right instinct to question whether this should still be going and what it demands of all four members. But the reason why I want to go forward is something is stirring in my voice and my singing, and the desire to write songs we don’t have yet. We are chasing the dragon of the song we can’t get.”

Despite the contemplation, Bono’s drive to create new music and push artistic boundaries continues to fuel his passion for U2’s journey.

The Formation and Longevity of U2

U2’s journey began in 1976 in Dublin when drummer Larry Mullen Jr. posted an ad on the notice board at Mount Temple Comprehensive School, seeking fellow musicians. Bono, guitarist David “The Edge” Evans, and bassist Adam Clayton all responded, and the band was born. Initially known as Feedback and later as The Hype, the group ultimately settled on the name U2, a choice Bono admitted in a 2022 BBC News interview that he “didn’t really love” and still doesn’t.

Bono has contemplated leaving U2 (Image: WireImage)

Despite his reservations about the name, Bono and his bandmates went on to achieve extraordinary success, including eight number-one albums and 22 Grammy Awards. Over four decades later, U2 remains a global powerhouse.

In 2023, The Edge reassured fans that U2’s bond is unbreakable, emphasizing their shared sense of purpose. Speaking to The Irish Star, he said:
“Every time I think of quitting, I kind of reinvent U2. We all know that we shine brighter by being in proximity to each other. That’s why it’s going to be very difficult to break up U2—simply because it works so well for us all.”

The strong camaraderie and mutual respect between the bandmates have been key to their enduring success, ensuring that U2 remains a force in music even after all these years.