Bono’s Family Twist: When a Cousin Turns Out to Be a Half‑Brother
In a revelation that felt like a plot twist straight from a soap opera, U2 frontman Bono (real name Paul Hewson) opened up about discovering that his cousin is actually his half‑brother. It’s one of those family secrets that can make a headline and a coffee break conversation both at the same time.
Who’s the New Family Link?
In an interview with The Irish Times earlier this year, Bono shared that his dad, Bob, had a fateful affair in the 1960s with a “gorgeous woman” who turned out to be his aunt, Barbara. The result? A son named Scott Rankin, who’s now a stock‑market whiz working for Ireland’s Department of Finance.
What Bono Had to Say
- “The truth is with Scott, we felt like brothers long before we knew we were,” he told the press.
- He added a heartfelt thank‑you: “I love Scott and his mother, Barbara.”
- He didn’t shy away from the emotional side: “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 up things.”
Backstory
Let’s blow the whistle on the drama timeline: Bono’s mum, Iris Hewson, died in 1974 when he was just 14 – she never got the news about the affair. Barbara later married Jack Rankin (Iris’s brother) and had Scott. Jack passed away a couple years ago.
Bono only learned about the whole affair in 2000, a year before his dad fell to cancer. He first told the world about it on BBC’s Desert Island Discs back in June.
Scott’s Take
Scott, in his early 50s, also shared his side of the story on the Irish Daily Mail. He said, “I am blessed to have been welcomed with open arms into the Hewson family.” He added that he’s fortunate to have had two dads playing active roles in his upbringing.
He’s not just satisfied with the story – “Not all such stories turn out the way mine has and I was fortunate to discover that I had two fathers taking an active part in my upbringing,” Scott said. “Our extended family have known for some time and we agreed that it made no sense to keep this hidden any longer… we have only love for our parents and we’re grateful to have our families’ support in sharing this story.”
Bottom Line
When family secrets finally pop up, they can become both an emotional roller‑coaster and a good reason to skip the family reunion’s “how you’re related” game. Bono and Scott’s newfound brotherly bond reminds us that sometimes, a twist in the family tree brings a depth of connection that’s harder to find in ordinary channels.
