Bono has opened up about his ‘special’ bond with his wife Ali Hewson and the secret to their 40-year marriage.
The U2 frontman, 62 and Hewson, 61, who tied the knot in 1982 are well known childhood sweethearts, having met at the age of 12 at Dublin’s Mount Temple Comprehensive School.
In an interview for the New Yorker Festival for his upcoming book, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, he said it is "quite mad getting married" as he looked back as he opened up about what made their long lasting relationship.
"It is a grand madness about us," he said.
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"And there's something about knowing that you're going against the odds.
“But I would say if you ask me seriously, friendship can outpace romantic love, sometimes. And friendship is what myself and Ali have.
"When you have romantic love and friendship, that's really something special," he added, as quoted by People magazine after a newlywed audience member at the discussion asked how he's managed to keep a 40-year marriage with his wife going strong.
The Beautiful Day hitmaker, who shares four children with the Irish activist and businesswoman - Jordan, 33, Eve, 31, Elijah, 23, and John, 21, also spoke about how they got through any tough times along the way.
"Any time either of us got lost, the other would... be there to get the other one home.
"And I'm so grateful," he added, as he insisted they plan to make sure their union goes on to stand the test of time.
"40 years is a powerful number for me. That's a powerful number for Ali. And it was brilliant when we got to 40, and we went, 'Let's not f--- this up now.' "
Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story is set for release on November 1.
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