You couldn’t make this up even if you tried!
After 22 years in the dark, it has recently come to light that a man Bono knew for years as his cousin is in fact his half-brother.
The revelation was made in the legendary singer’s new memoir, Surrender: 40 Songs, which is due to come out on November 1.
Bono first learned that he had a secret half-brother back in 2000, after it was revealed that his father, Bob Hewson, was having an affair with his wife’s sister, Bono’s aunt, Barbara.
In his memoir, Bono opens up about how he first found out that his cousin Scott Rankin is actually his half-brother, revaling he instinctively knew.
Telling the Irish Times: “I must have known that something was up and I must have held my father responsible for kind of making my mother unhappy in the way kids just pick things up.”
“The truth is, with Scott we felt like brothers long before we knew we were. I love Scott and his mother Barbara,” he continued.
Bono’s mother died when he was just 14 years of age and although the affair took place while she was alive, he believes she didn’t know about it.
Speaking for the first time about their relationship, Scott told The Irish Times: “I am blessed to have been welcomed with open arms into the Hewson family,” referring to Bono’s family.
“Our extended family have known for some time and we agreed that it made no sense to keep this hidden any longer. Bono’s book also happens to be an appropriate and sensitive way for us to acknowledge the connection,” he said.
“We have only love for our parents and we’re grateful to have our families’ support in sharing this story.”
Scott himself is well known in business circles as a former analyst at stockbroker Davy before he moved into the public service in the wake of the 2008 banking crash.
