| Alison Hewson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alison Stewart 23 March 1961 Dublin |
| Residence | Killiney, County Dublin, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Other names | Ali Hewson |
| Education | B.A. in Sociology & Political Science |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin |
| Occupation | Activist and businesswoman |
| Religion | Church of Ireland (Anglican) |
| Spouse | Bono (Paul Hewson) |
| Children | 4 |
| Parents | Terry and Joy Stewart |
Alison "Ali" Hewson (née Stewart; 23 March 1961), is an Irish businesswoman and activist, and wife of U2's lead singer Bono.[1] As a businesswoman, Ali is the co-founder of both EDUN Clothing and NUDE Skincare. Chief among her efforts as an activist is her work with Chernobyl Children's Project International.
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Hewson is the daughter of Terry and Joy Stewart, and a granddaughter of Hector Grey, a well known Dublin trader and shop owner.[2] Alison grew up in Raheny, a suburb located on Dublin's Northside, and she studied at Mount Temple Comprehensive School where she met Bono.[3]
They began dating in November 1975. Soon after the death of Bono's mother, Stewart took care of Bono, cleaning his clothes, going to school with him, and cooking for him.[3] She married Bono on 21 August 1982 in a Church of Ireland (Anglican) ceremony at All Saints Church, Raheny.[4] Together they have four children: daughters Jordan (b. 10 May 1989) and Memphis Eve (b. 7 July 1991), and sons Elijah Bob Patricus Guggi Q (b. 18 August 1999) and John Abraham (b. 21 May 2001).[5]
Although she wanted to become a nurse, Hewson gave up her career ambitions to foster her relationship with her new husband.[6] She received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Political Science from University College Dublin (UCD) in 1989, shortly after giving birth to her first daughter, Jordan.[6] Before that, Hewson worked in a motor insurance company, and with her father, in his electrical business.[6]
Hewson is a founder of the EDUN fashion label, which encourages fair trade with third world nations and the abolition of sweatshops and child labour.[7] She is also co-founder of Nude skincare with Bryan Meehan, a luxury, natural skincare company.[8]
She has been voted Sexiest Celebrity Other Half.[9]
Hewson is a patron of Chernobyl Children's Project International, an organization that works with children, families and communities who continue to be affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986.[10] She participated in Greenpeace protests against the Sellafield reprocessing plant and narrated Black Wind White Land, an Irish film which highlighted the plight of victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.[11] She also participated in the film "Chernobyl Heart" with Adi Roche.
The U2 song "The Sweetest Thing" was given to Hewson as a gift because Bono forgot her birthday while writing and recording with the band during The Joshua Tree sessions. She appears in the song's music video and received income from its sales. She gave all proceeds to Chernobyl Children's Project International.[6] Furthermore, Bono dedicated U2's song "All I Want Is You" to her.