The legendary Bono has recently celebrated his 36th wedding anniversary with his wife Ali Hewson, and they have the most adorable love story.
The two first met when they were just wide-eyed schoolchildren at the ages of 12 (Ali) and 13 (Bono), eager to fulfil their own dreams of making their mark on the world.
Ali told the Evening Standard of her husband’s innocent pick-up line:
“He came up to me within the first day and asked, did I know where his class should be going? It was just an excuse to talk to me, and I thought, ‘What an eejit.’
“I remember that on the fourth day at school I saw him walking across the courtyard and it was, bing. That is the guy for me.”
The two have been in love since those early days, supporting each other through each endeavour and struggle that came their way.
"Marriage is this grand madness,and i think if people knew that,they would perhaps take it more seriously"-Bono
— dani mattei (@daniDpVox) August 21, 2018
Happy 36th Anniversary #Bono & #AliHewson!
Ph©@JulianLennon, ©#AntonCoorbijn,via @Independent_ie,@U2_Breathe#HappyAnniversaryBonoAndAli #U2 #U2NewsIT #loveisbigger @U2 pic.twitter.com/pW4OWT045V
Ali explained that although they adored each other, they decided to wait until they were older to date.
“We waited until we were 15 before we actually started going out. We broke up after six weeks because I had promised my best friend I’d just get him out of my system. That completely bemused him.”
As a young teen, Bono formed a band with some classmates: Adam Clayton, David Evans (The Edge), Larry Mullins Jr.
And while the love of her life followed his musical dreams, Ali pursued her passion for environmental activism.
The two knew they were destined for greatness and decided to tie the knot on August 21, 1982, when they were just 21 and 22 years of age.
If there is a kiss I stole from your mouth.. Happy 35th Wedding Anniversary to our #Bono and #Ali We Love You! #U2 #U2NewsIT pic.twitter.com/EHHesSXsDk
— U2-InTheNameOfLove (@U2ITNOL2UU2) August 20, 2017
They were married in a small church in Ali’s hometown, and she wore a gorgeous dress made by her mother. It could not have been more perfectly intimate.
U2 had their big break just a year later when they released their third album War, many songs of which Bono wrote about his wife Ali.
The dynamic duo soon started a family, having four children: Jordan (29), Eve (27), Elijah (19) and John (17).
Despite the band’s massive success, the mum has tried staying out of the limelight so that she can focus on her family and nurture her own passions.
Couldn't resist to repost this one. They're so friggin cute! #Bono #Ali pic.twitter.com/q28GM1rKqC
— Jø D. (@madfl3a) March 23, 2016
Now, after 36 years of marriage, the parents' love has grown into an unbreakable bond, uniting them against decades of conquered hardships.
Bono told The Rolling Stone last year: “Ali and I are probably more in love now than when we got together.
“I don’t think it is given much credit, but when people work through their problems and stay together – Ordinary Love is that.”
