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Bono's Life

  • Birth of Bono

    Bono was born Paul David Hewson in Dublin, Ireland.
  • U2

    Bono joined the band U2 when he was in high school, and was dubbed "Bono Vox" (good voice).
  • Rolling Stone

    In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Bono explained that he was motivated to become in social and political causes by seeing one of the Secret Policeman's Ball benefit shows.
  • Make Poverty History

    A nonpartisan campaign to "Make Poverty History" and is supported by more than 100 nonprofit organizations as well as millions of individuals, including celebrities like Ben Affleck, Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt.
  • ENDUN

    Bono and his wife Ali Hewson established EDUN, a socially responsible clothing line. While it is a for-profit enterprise, its mission is to foster "sustainable employment in developing areas of the world, particularly Africa," according to its website.
  • Person of the Year

    Bono was named a "Person of the Year" by TIME magazine for his charitable work that same year, along with Bill and Melinda Gates.
  • Pablo Neruda

    Bono is awarded the Pablo Neruda International Presidental Medal of Honour from the Government of Chile.
  • The Saints Are Coming

    U2 joined forces with the punk-influenced band Green Day to record a cover of the Skids' "The Saints Are Coming" to benefit the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
  • Knighting

    Queen Elizabeth II made him an honorary knight of the British Empire.
  • No Line on the Horizon

    U2 released No Line on the Horizon, which reached the top of the American pop charts.
  • TED talk

    Bono elicited more media buzz over his non-musical work, giving a TED talk on being a "factivist" when it comes to ending global poverty.