The Hewsons @ Mandela’s Gala Dinner

Bono and Ali attended Nelson Mandela’s 85th birthday party in South Africa on Saturday.

At the start of the banquet, Bono joined South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka on stage to sing Happy Birthday alongside a choir of 85 children. Later in the evening, Bono performed a song with The Corrs.

Among the other guests were Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Bill and Hilary Clinton, Robert de Niro, Naomi Campbell, Richard Branson, and Coretta Scott-King as well as Mandela’s personal staff.

46 thoughts on “The Hewsons @ Mandela’s Gala Dinner”

  1. A big celebration for Mr. Mandela, and Miriam Makeba is not there, but Naomi Campbell is…repent kids, the end is near. Five bucks says that photo of Bono and Ali on the BBC is not going on the Hewson family Christmas card this year, but at least it doesn’t say Bon is with an “unidentified companion” like on Yahoo, must be awfully encouraging a month before your 21st wedding anniversary. And I’m sorry to sound catty, but I’ve seen too many of these photos to remain silent any longer — someone should tell Ali that ankle straps are not a good look for women shorter than Bono, and these platforms and high wedgies, please! Has places in the South of France and New York, and she dresses like she shops in the Red, White And Blue Maxi Mall in Suburbia, USA. And that dress! One of the many dangers of hanging out with half-starved glamour pusses, especially when you are not one. Think Susannah and Trinny could be peruaded to do a road trip?

  2. A big celebration for Mr. Mandela, and Miriam Makeba is not there, but Naomi Campbell is…repent kids, the end is near. Five bucks says that photo of Bono and Ali on the BBC is not going on the Hewson family Christmas card this year, but at least it doesn’t say Bon is with an “unidentified companion” like on Yahoo, must be awfully encouraging a month before your 21st wedding anniversary. And I’m sorry to sound catty, but I’ve seen too many of these photos to remain silent any longer — someone should tell Ali that ankle straps are not a good look for women shorter than Bono, and these platforms and high wedgies, please! Has places in the South of France and New York, and she dresses like she shops in the Red, White And Blue Maxi Mall in Suburbia, USA. And that dress! One of the many dangers of hanging out with half-starved glamour pusses, especially when you are not one. Think Susannah and Trinny could be peruaded to do a road trip?

  3. wow… I was just going to comment that I really like Ali’s dress, but then I figured it wasn’t really important anyway. I like her shoes too. oh well.

  4. wow… I was just going to comment that I really like Ali’s dress, but then I figured it wasn’t really important anyway. I like her shoes too. oh well.

  5. omg! check out the pic from yahoo news it says:
    “Irish rock star Bono arrives with an unidentified partner at Nelson Mandela’ s 85th star studded birthday party celebration in Johannesburg, Saturday July 19, 2003. (AP Photo/Obed Zilwa)

    Unidentified Partner?..sheesh they can’t even do their research and realize that is his wife of 20yrs for god’s sake!… And this is the AP how pitiful is that?

    They both look great!..And I love her dress! wow!

  6. omg! check out the pic from yahoo news it says:
    “Irish rock star Bono arrives with an unidentified partner at Nelson Mandela’ s 85th star studded birthday party celebration in Johannesburg, Saturday July 19, 2003. (AP Photo/Obed Zilwa)

    Unidentified Partner?..sheesh they can’t even do their research and realize that is his wife of 20yrs for god’s sake!… And this is the AP how pitiful is that?

    They both look great!..And I love her dress! wow!

  7. The BBC page calls Ali ‘Bono’s wife Ari’…well I guess that’s closer. Ali looks beautiful as always!

  8. The BBC page calls Ali ‘Bono’s wife Ari’…well I guess that’s closer. Ali looks beautiful as always!

  11. You know..messages like the first one above make me wonder if humanity is as shallow as I am tempted to believe..I personally loved ali’s dress.

  12. You know..messages like the first one above make me wonder if humanity is as shallow as I am tempted to believe..I personally loved ali’s dress.

  13. hey, in defense of the liberals: they were making uncouth remarks about strom thurmond long before he died. 🙂 and mandela, overrated? I have only this quote from the yahoo story to counter that claim: “Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison under the apartheid government, led South Africa from white minority rule to democracy without the predicted bloodbath on a continent riven by civil wars.” ps, loved Ali’s dress. Bono could stand to tuck in the tuxedo shirt however.

  14. hey, in defense of the liberals: they were making uncouth remarks about strom thurmond long before he died. 🙂 and mandela, overrated? I have only this quote from the yahoo story to counter that claim: “Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison under the apartheid government, led South Africa from white minority rule to democracy without the predicted bloodbath on a continent riven by civil wars.” ps, loved Ali’s dress. Bono could stand to tuck in the tuxedo shirt however.

  19. what is this, the fashion police? they are attending the birthdayparty of (in my opinion) one of the greatest hero’s of our time, who gives a f*ck what they are wearing as long as it’s appropriate? ali is not a supermodel (thank god, although she is very beautiful), but a mother of four and the wife of the busiest man on the planet. it’s a miracle she still looks this gorgeous!

  20. what is this, the fashion police? they are attending the birthdayparty of (in my opinion) one of the greatest hero’s of our time, who gives a f*ck what they are wearing as long as it’s appropriate? ali is not a supermodel (thank god, although she is very beautiful), but a mother of four and the wife of the busiest man on the planet. it’s a miracle she still looks this gorgeous!

  21. “ari”, “unidentified companion”…sweet. 20+ years and she is still anonymous to 99% of people who recognize Bono. I bet she appreciates that most of the time. I’m no fashion-plate myself, but I like the shoes with the straps, so sexy! Remember War Tour days when Bono said he believes “that fashion is out of fashion”….still true today folks. Biggest surprise of the night? Tony Blair’s announcement that the world’s population has dwindled: “I hope that you will stop long enough to celebrate this occasion not only with your family but with the hundreds of people around the world.”

  22. “ari”, “unidentified companion”…sweet. 20+ years and she is still anonymous to 99% of people who recognize Bono. I bet she appreciates that most of the time. I’m no fashion-plate myself, but I like the shoes with the straps, so sexy! Remember War Tour days when Bono said he believes “that fashion is out of fashion”….still true today folks. Biggest surprise of the night? Tony Blair’s announcement that the world’s population has dwindled: “I hope that you will stop long enough to celebrate this occasion not only with your family but with the hundreds of people around the world.”

  25. Check out the photo of Bono with Yvonne Chaka Chaka – looks like he’s wearing the mullet again!

  26. Check out the photo of Bono with Yvonne Chaka Chaka – looks like he’s wearing the mullet again!

  29. I can’t believe the news today: Bono arrives with an unidentified partner!!!

    Is it this difficult to find out, she’s his wife for the last 20 years! Mother of his 4 children?!

    My comments on her dress: beautiful.
    Too be honest, I don’t like the way Bono is dressed these days. Black all over.

  30. I can’t believe the news today: Bono arrives with an unidentified partner!!!

    Is it this difficult to find out, she’s his wife for the last 20 years! Mother of his 4 children?!

    My comments on her dress: beautiful.
    Too be honest, I don’t like the way Bono is dressed these days. Black all over.

  31. Someone please slip this woman ( Ali Hewson)a Vogue Magazine or a mirror! That purple dress is simply horrible!!! I could get something better at Salvation Army Store or Goodwill!!

  32. Someone please slip this woman ( Ali Hewson)a Vogue Magazine or a mirror! That purple dress is simply horrible!!! I could get something better at Salvation Army Store or Goodwill!!

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