U2’s The Edge Shares the Secret to His 22-Year Marriage

U2 guitarist The Edge has been married to his wife, Morleigh Steinberg, since 2002. They began dating in 1993, so their relationship has lasted over three decades.

Any relationship lasting that long is incredible, but in the entertainment industry, that's practically a miracle. So, what's the secret to The Edge and Steinberg's relationship?

People asked the guitarist that question at the Venice Family Clinic's inaugural HEART Gala, where he and his wife were being honored for their philanthropic efforts.

The Edge said "compatibility and friendship" have always been important to him and Steinberg. He added, "We fell in love, but we knew each other well, and I would say keep falling in love. It doesn't happen just once. It keeps happening."

U2 had an eventful 2023 and a busy early 2024. The legendary band had the inaugural residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas. To the surprise of no one, the U2 Sphere residency was a massive financial success.

Per Ultimate Classic Rock, the revenue for the 40-show residency is estimated to be $256 million. The outlet also noted that 661,456 tickets were sold for the residency. Additionally, tickets were going for upwards of three times their face value on the secondary market. Needless to say, U2's Sphere residency was a massive success.

As previously reported, the venue cost $2.3 billion to build. In December 2023, The Hollywood Reporternoted the 17 shows U2 performed through Nov. 30 generated $30.7 million in revenue, which is an average of $1.8 million per show.

Larry Mullen Jr. was forced to sit out of U2's Sphere residency in Las Vegas due to needing shoulder surgery due to the wear and tear of drumming for decades.. However, the drummer was in attendance to take in the penultimate residency gig.

During the March 2, 2023 show, Bono took a moment to acknowledge the sidelined Mullen Jr. In fan-shot footage, Bono said, "The rumors that Larry will be playing with us tonight are not true, sadly. But he is here with us!" Mullen Jr. was then shown in a crowd on the Sphere's screens, which led to loud ovation from fans.

U2's official X (formerly Twitter) account shared a brief statement from Mullen Jr. He wrote, "What an incredible night at Sphere. So grateful to Bono, Edge and Adam, and, of course, Bram [van den Berg], for an amazing job. Very emotional night for me, personally - Larry Mullen Jr."

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo got married on February 20, 1982. They remain one of the longest-lasting marriages in classic rock. They're also among the most successful.

Benatar and Giraldo were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of the 2022 induction class. Interestingly, Benatar was asked in a 2021 interview with CBS Sunday Morning whether it bothered her to not be in the Rock Hall. She said then that it didn't and noted, "Listen, when you win things, it's really fun. But the point is, does this validate, not validate what we've done? No."

Together, they've sold over 35 million albums worldwide. Benatar has also won countless honors, including four Grammy Awards. The husband and wife pairing even collaborated on a stage musical called Invincible -- The Musical. As previously reported, Invincible -- The Musical is a new reworking of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The production features versions of many of the songs Benatar and Giraldo have written and performed together for over 40 years.

In a September 2013 interview with the Arizona Republic, Benatar fondly looked back on meeting Giraldo. She said the first song they recorded together was the hit "Heartbreaker." Benatar said she and Giraldo clicked instantly. Even though there was a definite attraction from the beginning, Benatar was still married, and Giraldo was also in a relationship.

" ... We made [1979's 'In the Heat of the Night'] not romantically involved, which was a challenge," said Benatar. "Which is what made it so much fun, and I think you can hear all that on that record."

Needless to say, Benatar and Giraldo have more than defied the odds against them. However, Benatar and Giraldo are far from the only music marriage that has gone the distance. In honor of Benatar and Giraldo's anniversary, here are some of classic rock's other longest-lasting marriages.