SEATTLE (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — When U2 comes through Seattle on their always-sold-out tours, a simple hotel could not possibly be good enough for lead singer Bono. So he bunks down at the nearby home of none-other than fellow philanthropist Bill Gates.
“I was one of 20,000 screaming fans,” Microsoft Corp’s co-founder Gates told Reuters. Gates, the world’s richest man, said he got to know Bono through their shared passions for Third World development and relief efforts.
Gates told the news service that Bono was staying with him and that the two hung out together after the Seattle show.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has become the world’s biggest charitable organization with an endowment of $28 billion. The charity aims to improve the health of people in developing nations.
“We’re big believers that more needs to be done in developing countries,” Gates said. “Let me tell you, Bono has had a huge impact.”
Bono is a very vocal advocate of Third World debt relief and Gates’ foundation has given out more than $4 billion for global health since its inception to fight diseases such as AIDS and malaria.
When asked by Reuters if their friendship would entice him to buy the black-and-red U2 edition iPods made by Microsoft rival Apple Computer Inc., Gates replied, “Absolutely not.” –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
