'It's a relay race': Bono shares how he and wife Ali overcome relationship challenges

Bono has opened about his 40-year marriage to Ali Hewson. (Getty Images)
Bono has opened about his 40-year marriage to Ali Hewson. (Getty Images)

Bono has opened up about the secret to his 40-year marriage with his "endlessly fascinating" wife Ali Hewson.

The rock star, 62, described his 61-year-old other half as "the love of his life", as he revealed how their relationship has endured throughout the decades.

The U2 singer told The Sunday Times Magazine: "She’s endlessly fascinating. She’s... full of mischief."

He revealed that they had experienced their romantic ups and downs since meeting as school friends in Dublin.

The couple married in 1982 (pictured in 1983 in California). (Getty Images)
The couple married in 1982 (pictured in 1983 in California). (Getty Images)

Bono said: "It’s not like our love was absent any dark undercurrents or briny water, [but] we got each other through those bits where it was hard to see where we were. Ali calls it ‘the work of love’."

He added: "If one of us got lost the other was going to get us back, that’s kind of been the way it’s been for us.

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"I think in relationships somebody is in charge at some point, but you swap. It’s a relay race.”

The couple, who married in 1982, share four children together – Jordan, 33; Eve, 31; Elijah, 23; and 21-year-old John.

They share four children together (pictured with daughters Eve and Jordan in 2016). (Getty Images)
The couple have four children (pictured with daughters Eve and Jordan in 2016). (Getty Images)

What has also helped their relationship, Bono said, was that they have experienced relative peace as a celebrity couple living in Ireland.

He explained that the country "saved" them because it "doesn't matter how much you’ve got in your back pocket".

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Earlier this month, Bono revealed that his friendship with his wife was key to their marital success.

He had been asked about the longevity of their relationship while onstage at The New Yorker Festival discussing his new book Surrender.

Watch: Longstanding celebrity relationships