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In name of luxury - Bono shells out €20m on yacht
Saturday, 20 September 2008
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Management at U2 have declined to comment on reports in the Italian media that Bono has shelled out millions of euro on a luxury yacht.
The 48-year-old singer, one of the world's best-known humanitarians and leading charity activists, is understood to have bought the yacht, built by the respected Codecasa firm of central Italy, after a "test cruise" with his family.
Until recently, the Cyan had a weekly charter price of between €140,000 and €175,000. It had an estimated asking price of over €15m.
"We don't comment on the private lives of band members," a spokesperson for the band said in replies to queries about the yacht yesterday.
Bono, his wife Ali Hewson, and their children were on holiday on the yacht last year, and were photographed disembarking when it docked in Naples in August 2007.
The 140-foot vessel has six cabins and room for 12 guests to sleep comfortably. Among its features are a large deck space, a Jacuzzi dip pool, a large swimming platform and a garage for holding "watersport toys".
The interior is constructed with mahogany and limed oak, with each of the rooms fitted with plasma screen tvs, satellite TV, and dvd players.
According to the reports in the Italian media, Bono has repainted the yacht in blue and has an expensive new stereo system fitted. The sale price, however, is not known, with some speculation that it might top €20m.
Even that would be unlikely to put too much pressure on the Dubliner's bank account, however, as he has an estimated personal wealth approaching €200m.
U2 has sold more than 140 million albums worldwide and will release a new album early next year.
Codecasa, who were founded in 1825 and started out making wooden boats, built the yacht in 1997 for a group of European ship owners and it was extensively refitted in 1999.
The Italian yacht-maker has sold yachts in the past to famous names such as fashion designers Giorgio Armani, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
Giorgio Armani's yacht, the Mariu, is 210-feet long and when not in use he rents it out with a price tag of €180,000 per week.
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Get real Pete! Do you really believe what you're saying?
Posted by Gracey | 23.09.08, 14:43 GMT
It's highly hypocritical, particularly in the current economic climate. He's supporting charities who are asking hard pressed families to give money while he spends 20m on a yacht?
Of course it's his money and he can do what he likes with it - what sickens me is that he pretends to care about starving kids in Africa to sell albums. That's the lowest of the low.
Posted by Pete | 23.09.08, 12:44 GMT
Big deal if he wants a boat so what! Nobody knows how much he donates to charity and I dont just mean his time and energy. When you're earning millions is it not better to spend the money on something than give it to the tax man! And when he "lectures" people he's only stating what we should all do anyway! give what you can afford to charity - every single person can - even if its just 50p a month! You've no idea the difference it would make!
Posted by Frank | 23.09.08, 12:03 GMT
Leave him alone. He has supported so many charities and other events, I think he should be allowed to treat himself and his family every now and again. Gracey's coments are so very true.
Posted by Roger | 22.09.08, 17:09 GMT
God, people are so bitter! The guy earned the money and if he wants to treat his family in this way, then that's his business. He also happens to spend a lot of time speaking out on humanitarian issues around the world and trying to get governments to do better by their own people. That's good - he could do as most other celebrities - either take the money and run or rant meaninglessly - I think most of the posters on here should think a little more before mobilising their typing fingers
Posted by Gracey | 22.09.08, 13:48 GMT
One more reason to call Bono a pompous hypocritical ego maniac. Not that we need one. …
While he was lecturing governments about not spending enough money (taxes) combating poverty U2 moved their business affairs to Europe in a nice little tax avoidance scheme.
Posted by terry | 22.09.08, 10:02 GMT
Bono "Lectures us"? I have yet to hear a Bono lecture...
I would rather say that Bono tries to mobilise opinion, highlight injustice and bring to our attention some important world issues.
Bono uses his celebrity to TRY to change things for the better, moreso than 99.9% of wealthy personalities...
Perhaps he'd be better off doing nothing to avoid criticism from curmudgeons like wjl
Posted by Mr Crabby | 22.09.08, 09:45 GMT
How many people would that feed
Posted by Jet | 22.09.08, 06:32 GMT
Don't do as I do, do as I say:
Posted by Des | 21.09.08, 22:55 GMT
How can someone who campaigns on behalf of those living in squalor in the majority world sleep with ease in his bed aboard a luxury yacht costing 20Euro. Come off it!
Posted by Trevor Burke | 21.09.08, 22:09 GMT
OK Mary, it is his money but he shouldn't lecture others on world poverty. You say that he EARNED the cash but that is questionable!
Posted by robbo | 21.09.08, 19:13 GMT
Who cares? He's allowed to buy what he wants... it's his money. He earned it.
Posted by Mary | 21.09.08, 05:17 GMT
in my opinion bono has done more for world poverty than 90% of the worlds population! so what if he wants to spend his on cash on a luxery for his family. if i had that sort of cash i would do the same! fair play bono,keep up the good work!
Posted by skint | 20.09.08, 14:14 GMT
Is this the person who lectures us -- for publicity-- about world poverty ?
Posted by wjl | 20.09.08, 10:45 GMT