Jam: Spotlight on Music StarsBono Becomes Richest Rock Star in the World – Thanks to Facebook!
Bono must "like" this. The U2 frontman became the richest rock star in the world on Friday, the same day Facebook went public — all because he has a 2.3% stake in the social network. Back in 2009, Bono's company, Elevation Partners, invested $90 million into the site, and now three years later, he has made more than 16 times that amount for an astounding $1.5 billion. Not bad, right?
That $1.41-billion profit makes Bono, 52, a good $500 million richer than Sir Paul McCartney, who has made his pockets fat to the tune of $1.05 billion as one of the Beatles, the best-selling band of all time with more than 177 million units moved. McCartney would probably be a lot richer, though, if it weren't for the fact that Michael Jackson bought the rights to half of the Fab Four's catalog in 1984. By comparison, fellow music titans Bruce Springsteen and Madonna combined are only worth $800 million.
What will Bono do with all his money? Knowing the philanthropist, he'll probably give it to the many charities he spearheads, including Product Red (for AIDS relief in Africa) and the ONE Campaign (for poverty worldwide). But the Irishman is still sticking to his roots. U2 will be heading back into the studio soon to work on their 13th album. According to NME, they are working on new material with the songwriter for UK boyband One Direction and Lady Gaga's hitmaker RedOne, and are also hoping to work again with will.i.am from the Black Eyesd Peas (he produced "I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" on their 2009 album, No Line on the Horizon).
Bono — who was worth a mere $350 million in 2010 — was not the only person made uber-rich by Facebook going public on Friday. Its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, raked in a reported $19 billion himself. Imagine how many hoodies he can buy with that money!
Check out "Starlicious," the online trivia game show where you can play along with the contestants and test your celebrity I.Q.!
More Celebrity Features on Yahoo!:
