Bono, born Paul David Hewson, is best known as the lead singer of the legendary rock band U2. Beyond his music, he has earned global respect for his work as a humanitarian and activist
Over the past two decades, Bono has been a leading voice in the fight against AIDS, poverty, and preventable diseases, particularly in Africa.
While many assume that his strong ties with American politics and frequent presence in Washington mean he is a U.S. citizen, the truth is different—Bono is proudly Irish and has never taken U.S. citizenship.
His influence, however, reaches far into American policy. Bono has worked with several U.S. presidents and lawmakers to build support for global health programs like PEPFAR, which has saved millions of lives worldwide.
In recognition of these efforts, he was invited to attend the 2023 State of the Union Address as a special guest of First Lady Jill Biden, highlighting the lasting impact of his activism on American foreign aid and global health.
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Table of Contents
Bono’s Background and Activism
Born and Raised Irish
Bono, Paul David Hewson, was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland.1
He co-founded U2 in 1976, rising to fame as the band’s lead vocalist and lyricist.2
Just been listening to a few old records, sound as good now as they did back in the 70’s. Long live The Who!
— Paul Hewson (@OfficialBono) August 23, 2010
Retains Irish Citizenship
Despite his close ties with the U.S., Bono has not acquired U.S. citizenship. He remains an Irish national.3
Activism: Fighting AIDS, Poverty, and Debt
Launching Activist Campaigns
Bono has long used his global platform for humanitarian work. Notable campaigns and organizations include:
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DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa), founded in 2002 to address AIDS, poverty, and debt relief in Africa.
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ONE Campaign, born from a merger of DATA, aimed at fighting extreme poverty and preventable disease.
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(RED), launched to partner with companies and raise billions for the Global Fund to fight AIDS.4
Lobbying for PEPFAR
Bono lobbied tirelessly to persuade U.S. leaders to fund AIDS relief. His efforts helped bring public and bipartisan support for PEPFAR, launched by President George W. Bush in 2003.5
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PEPFAR’s initial pledge: $15 billion over five years to fight AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean.6
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As of August 2024, PEPFAR has delivered $120 billion in funding, saving over 25 million lives.
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The initiative is called the largest single-disease commitment by any nation in history.
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Bono at the 2023 State of the Union Address
Why He Was Invited
Bono was invited as a guest of First Lady Jill Biden for the 2023 State of the Union Address. His attendance symbolized recognition of his role in global health and AIDS relief.7
The White House described him as a “breakthrough activist in the fight against HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty.”
He helped build crucial bipartisan support for PEPFAR, including from then-Senator Joe Biden.
Inside the Address
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President Biden, without naming Bono directly, praised the role of “countless advocates and champions” in transforming the global fight against HIV/AIDS.8
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He called for a similar approach in addressing cancer, invoking the success of PEPFAR as a model.
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Bono was seated in the First Lady’s box, alongside other notable figures representing themes of health, equity, and resilience.
Key Statistics
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| PEPFAR Funding (since 2024) | US$ 120 billion |
| Lives Saved via PEPFAR | Over 25 million |
| PEPFAR Initial Funding (2003) | US$ 15 billion over five years |
| Bono’s Year of Birth | 1960 |
| Bono’s Citizenship | Irish (not U.S.) |
| State of the Union Invite | 2023, guest of First Lady |
FAQ’s
1. Is Bono a U.S. citizen?
No. Bono remains an Irish citizen. He has not taken on U.S. citizenship.9
2. Why was Bono invited to the State of the Union?
He was invited to honor his activism in global health, particularly his role in generating bipartisan U.S. support for PEPFAR and global AIDS relief efforts.10
3. What is PEPFAR and why is it significant?
PEPFAR is the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, launched in 2003. It has since become the largest health funding initiative focused on one disease, with US$ 120 billion invested and over 25 million lives saved as of 2024.11
4. What organizations did Bono help create?
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DATA (2002): focused on debt relief, AIDS, trade, and Africa.
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ONE Campaign: formed from DATA, fights poverty and disease globally.12
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(RED): partners with brands to raise billions for AIDS relief.13
5. What was Bono’s role in influencing U.S. policy?
He used his global influence to lobby U.S. policymakers, which contributed to the successful launch and reauthorization of PEPFAR. President Bush’s 2003 pledge was in part due to Bono’s advocacy; Bono helped also build bipartisan support, including from Senator Biden.14
6. What did President Biden say about PEPFAR in the State of the Union?
He lauded the bipartisan efforts that launched PEPFAR and praised its success in transforming the global fight against HIV/AIDS, calling for similarly bold action against cancer.15
Conclusion
Bono, the iconic Irish leader of U2 and a dedicated activist, remains firmly Irish by citizenship. Yet his influence on U.S. global health policy has been profound.
His advocacy helped shape PEPFAR, the most ambitious single-disease health program in U.S. history, saving millions of lives worldwide.
Being invited to the 2023 State of the Union Address reflected America’s recognition of his extraordinary contributions—inspiring bipartisan action and mobilizing global support for life-saving causes.
Despite his non-U.S. citizenship, Bono’s impact on U.S. policy and global health remains undeniable. He represents the power of cross-border collaboration and the transformative power one individual can have on the world.
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