From Airline Surplus to Superstar: Bono's Humble Beginnings

Bono Spills Juicy Secrets: Rockstar's Shocking Confessions About His Penniless Past

In a bombshell revelation, U2 frontman Bono has spilled the beans on his humble beginnings - and it's a far cry from the £500million fortune he's amassed today. The 65-year-old Irish singer-songwriter, worth half a billion pounds, has confessed to living off instant mashed potato and leftover airline food after his mother passed away when he was just 14.

Speaking candidly on thescholarlynote.com podcast "Ruthie's Table 4", Bono revealed that as a teenager, his brother Norman would bring home surplus airline grub from Dublin Airport where he worked. The singer recalled: "After my mom died, I'd usually return home with a tin of meat, a tin of beans, and a packet of Cadbury’s Smash [instant mashed potato]. Food was just fuel; I spent my money on things far more important - like Alice Cooper's Hello Hooray!"

Bono's mother, Iris Hewton, tragically passed away in 1974 at the age of 48 after an aneurysm. Her sudden departure left a lasting impact on Bono and his family. "The house was two miles away from the runway where my brother worked for Aer Lingus," he shared. "He'd talked them into letting him bring home the surplus food. This was highly exotic fare - gammon steak and pineapple, lasagna, rice pudding with peas... it was like a whole new world!"

As Bono grew up in Dublin, his relationship with food underwent a significant transformation. He admitted: "Sadly, I don't have many memories of my mom cooking or otherwise. After she died, we just didn't speak her name, so it's hard to recall these things." The singer did remember the family kitchen, however - and the dramatic table discussions that would ensue when his father was absent.

When asked about his experiences traveling the world and sampling new cuisine after joining U2, Bono quipped: "We were blessed with a manager who loved food and wine as much as he loved music. Record companies would give us per diems - they'd pay for us to stay in a hotel up in Manchester or wherever after we played." But instead of indulging in fine dining, the band would save their per diems and use them to treat themselves to nice meals.

The rocker also dished about his pre-gig rituals, revealing that he only drinks twice before going on stage. The first time was for a wedding, while the second instance occurred when his father had to put him to bed in Paris in the late 90s. "You can't sing well if you drink before," he emphasized. "If you're singing those big notes, you have to be careful what you eat and drink beforehand."

Bono's meteoric rise to fame began in 1976 when he formed a band with schoolmates in Dublin after answering a notice posted by drummer Larry Mullen Jr. The group, eventually named U2, quickly gained momentum with their raw sound and electrifying stage presence.

Their early albums, particularly Boy and War, received critical acclaim, with Bono's passionate vocals and stage presence earning him attention. The band's explosive performance at Live Aid in 1985 catapulted them onto the world stage, but it was the release of The Joshua Tree in 1987, featuring hits like With or Without You, that cemented their status as global superstars.

In a candid and unflinching look at his life, Bono has proven that even the most successful rockstars can have humble beginnings. His story serves as a reminder that success is not solely defined by wealth or fame, but by the courage to share one's truth with the world.