The singer was born Cheryl Ann LaPierre on May 20, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan. She grew up in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where she attended Cranbrook School. In 1965, she graduated from high school and enrolled at Northwestern University. After graduating from college, she moved to Los Angeles, California, where she began her music career. Her debut album, I Got You Babe, was released in 1967. The following year, she signed with Columbia Records and recorded her second album, Believe.
In 1969, she married Sonny Bono, who became famous as a member of the pop group The Monkees. They divorced in 1970. On October 22, 1972, she gave birth to twins, Chastity and Bambi. She later had a third child, son Elijah Blue II, with musician Gregg Allman.
She continued recording albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including 1989’s Heart of Stone, 1991’s Love Hurts, 1992’s Strong Enough, 1994’s Living Proof, 1996’s Take Me Home, 1998’s High Road, 1999’s Dancing Through Life, 2001’s Simply Irresistible, 2003’s Taking Chances, 2005’s The Music Box and 2006’s Still Standing.
Her most recent studio album, 2012’s Closer To The Truth, was released in 2013.
Life and career
Cher was born Cherilyn Sarkissian in El Centro on May 20, 1946, the daughter of Armenian immigrant parents. Her mother, Georgia Holt, had been married twice before meeting Sarkissian; she later became pregnant with his child. When she learned that he was already married, she filed for divorce. In August 1945, Holt gave birth to Cher, whom she named after her favorite singer, French chanteuse Edith Piaf.
Georgia Holt was a waitress at a local cafe called the Blue Moon Cafe in El Centro, where she met and befriended actor Robert Mitchum. He took care of Cher and helped raise her after her mother died of cancer in 1954.
In 1961, Holt remarried and moved to Hollywood, where she worked as a secretary for film producer Aaron Spelling. After learning that Cher wanted to become an actress, Holt encouraged her daughter to pursue her dream.
STORY: “The Life & Career Of Cher”
What is Cher’s real name?
The singer was born Cherilyn Sarkissian on July 17, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan. Her father, John Sargus Sarkissian, was Armenian; her mother, Georgia Eugenia Dinkidoff, was Greek American. When she was three months old, the family moved to Los Angeles, California. By the age of five, she had begun singing in church choirs. At 11, she won a local talent contest and began performing professionally. In 1964, she signed a contract with Columbia Records, where she recorded several singles, including “I Got You Babe”, “A Natural Woman”, and “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves”.
In 1967, she married Sonny Bono, a fellow musician, and changed her surname to Cher. They divorced in 1972, and she later dated actor Warren Beatty. She became a successful actress and recording artist, starring in blockbusters such as Moonstruck, Silkwood, and Mask. She received four Academy Award nominations, winning one for Best Original Song (“Moonstruck”). She also earned Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical/Comedy (for Moonstruck), Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (for Love Story), and Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical (for Mask).
She has sold over 120 million records worldwide.
Who was Cher’s first husband Sonny Bono?
Sonny Bono was born in New York City on December 14, 1934. He grew up in Los Angeles, California, where he attended high school. His father died when he was 15, and he worked odd jobs to help support himself. At age 16, he joined the US Navy, serving for three years. After being discharged, he returned to Los Angeles and got involved in show business. In 1959, he formed a group called the Velvets, which included future members of the Beach Boys. They performed covers of songs by artists such as Elvis Presley and Little Richard.
In 1960, Sonny signed with Philles Records, and recorded several singles under the name Sonny & Cher. Their first single, “I Got You Babe”, reached number one on Billboard magazine’s Hot 100 chart. The song sold over five million copies, making it the biggest selling single of 1961.
The couple married in Las Vegas on April 30, 1965. They had four children together: Cheryl Lynn, Ashley, Chastity, and twins Brandon and Melanie.
After divorcing in 1972, Sonny continued performing with Cher. She won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Performance for “Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves”. The pair reunited briefly in 1976, when Cher starred in the film Moonstruck. But they split again soon afterwards.
Who was Cher’s second husband?
Cher and Gregg Allman met in 1969 while she was performing in Las Vegas. They began dating soon afterwards. In 1972, he joined The Allman Brothers Band and became one of the most influential musicians of the 1970s. He died in May 2017, aged 69.
Is Cher married now?
Cher is not married. She has been in a relationship with 36 year old musician Alexander Edwards since 2017. They met while filming the movie “Mamma Mia 2”.
In late 2020, she confirmed that she is in a relationship with Edwards. He is known for his work as a music producer.
She told Entertainment Tonight: “We’re just friends.”
The couple has been photographed together several times over the past few months.
When asked about her dating life, she said: “I’m still on the look out.”
The problem I have with all of the boyfriends lately is… there’s no way to keep a relationship going in such a fishbowl, where everything you do, and every picture you take, will be on Instagram. There’s no way to make it real. You know what I mean?”
Tom Cruise and Cher secretly dated during the 80s: ‘there was a connection’
How many children does Cher have?
Cher has been married three times. She met her first husband, Gregg Allman, in 1967. They divorced in 1972. Then, in 1975, she wed musician Gregg Allman. Together, they had Cherilyn Sarkisian, born in 1977. After divorcing again in 1985, Cher married British actor Dennis Dunaway in 1986. They split up in 1992.
In 2009, Chaz came forward as a trans woman and underwent gender reassignment surgery. He legally changed his name to Chaz Bono.
What is Cher’s net worth?
Cher is estimated to have a current net worth of around $300 million (£241m), according to Celebrity Net Worth. She has earned her fortune from her music career and endorsements. In addition to being one of the most successful female recording artists of all time, she is also known for her fashion sense and outspokenness. Her net worth includes earnings from her music career, endorsement deals, film appearances, and personal investments.