Paul David Hewson, known professionally as Bono, is an Irish musician, activist, and entrepreneur. He was born on 10 May 1960 in Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland, to a Catholic father and Protestant mother, and grew up in a middle-class suburb. His mother died when he was 14, and his mixed religious background influenced his Christian faith and lyrical themes. Bono co-founded the rock band U2 in 1976 with schoolmates Larry Mullen Jr., Adam Clayton, and The Edge (David Evans) while attending Mount Temple Comprehensive School. Dropping out of school to pursue music, he became U2's charismatic lead vocalist and primary lyricist, contributing to breakthrough albums like Boy (1980) and The Joshua Tree (1987)—the latter winning Album of the Year at the Grammys and featuring hits like "With or Without You"—helping the band achieve global fame and sell over 150 million albums worldwide. His music often addresses political and humanitarian issues. Beyond music, Bono is a prominent activist; his activism began in the 1980s with Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and Live Aid. He co-founded the advocacy group DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) in 2002, which evolved into the ONE Campaign (2004), focusing on debt relief and combating extreme poverty in Africa. He also co-founded (RED) (also known as (PRODUCT)RED) in 2006, an initiative that partners with brands to fund HIV/AIDS relief. His activism has involved lobbying leaders including U.S. presidents, EU officials, and the Vatican for debt forgiveness and increased aid, earning him accolades like multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations, Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2007), and France's Légion d'honneur (awarded in 2007 and noted as 2008). Bono has ventured into acting, screenwriting, and business; as a venture capitalist, he co-founded the private equity firm Elevation Partners in 2004, investing in companies like Facebook and Forbes. He married his teenage sweetheart Alison 'Ali' Hewson in 1982, and they have four children: daughters Jordan (b. 1989) and Eve (b. 1991), and sons Elijah (b. 1999) and John (b. 2001). He resides primarily in Killiney, Dublin, but maintains properties abroad. Known for wearing distinctive sunglasses due to light sensitivity from glaucoma, Bono has faced controversies, such as tax avoidance allegations and criticism of his celebrity-driven philanthropy, including scrutiny over U2's tax strategies like moving intellectual property to the Netherlands in 2006 and Ireland's 2015 tax dispute. Despite this, he remains a pivotal figure in rock music and international advocacy, with a net worth estimated at over $700 million.