Cher, whose complete name is Cherilyn Sarkisian, was born on May 20, 1946. She is an American vocalist, performer, songwriter, and television figure, frequently dubbed the “Goddess of Pop.” Her career spans over sixty years, and she has sold more than 100 million records as a solo performer. Cher holds the unique distinction of having a number-one single on a U.S. Billboard chart across seven consecutive decades, from the 1960s through the 2020s. She first gained recognition in 1965 as part of the folk-rock duo Sonny & Cher alongside her then-husband Sonny Bono, thanks to their popular track “I Got You Babe.”
Cher also initiated a solo career, putting out memorable pop tracks like “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down).” During the 1970s, she achieved several chart-topping successes, including “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves,” “Half-Breed,” and “Dark Lady.” In the 1980s, she shifted her focus to acting and earned an Academy Award for Best Actress for Moonstruck in 1987. She subsequently returned to music with rock-influenced albums like Cher (1987) and Heart of Stone (1989), which showcased the hit “If I Could Turn Back Time.” At the age of 52, she was among the first to utilize Auto-Tune on her dance-pop project Believe (1998). The lead track became the best-selling single by a female performer in UK history and was an international sensation.
In recent years, Cher released some of her most successful albums in the U.S., including Closer to the Truth (2013) and Dancing Queen (2018). In 2023, she launched a holiday album titled Christmas.
Biography Update
Cherilyn Sarkisian was born on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California. Her father, John Sarkisian, was an Armenian-American truck driver who faced issues related to substance abuse and gambling. Her mother, Georgia Holt, was a model and actress with Irish, English, German, and possibly Cherokee ancestry, although the Cherokee lineage is disputed and poorly documented. Cher’s parents separated shortly after her birth, leading to her being primarily raised by her mother. They frequently relocated throughout California, Texas, and New York due to economic hardships. Cher attended multiple schools and dealt with challenges from unrecognized dyslexia and self-esteem concerns regarding her appearance and skills.
In 1962, when Cher was 16 years old, she encountered 27-year-old songwriter and producer Sonny Bono. He brought her on as a backup vocalist and eventually became her mentor, business ally, and spouse. They wed in 1964 and remained together until 1975. As Sonny & Cher, they quickly gained fame with their 1965 smash “I Got You Babe” and became symbols of 1960s counterculture. Concurrently, Cher launched her solo journey with tracks like “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” in 1966. The duo also hosted The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour from 1971 to 1974 and Cher’s own variety show from 1975 to 1976, both of which were enormous successes on CBS.
Following her divorce from Sonny in 1975, Cher redirected her focus toward acting. She received an Oscar nomination for Silkwood in 1983 and won Best Actress for Moonstruck in 1987. She made a musical comeback in the late 1980s and early 1990s with rock-oriented albums, releasing popular tracks like “If I Could Turn Back Time” and “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss).” In 1998, her album Believe utilized Auto-Tune in a groundbreaking manner, which became known as the “Cher effect,” and it became her top-selling album. She continued producing music into the 2010s and 2020s, including the ABBA cover album Dancing Queen in 2018 and the holiday collection Christmas in 2023.
Cher has candidly discussed her personal challenges, including dyslexia, body image issues, and financial struggles earlier in her career. She is a fervent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, HIV/AIDS awareness, support for veterans, and acknowledgment of the Armenian genocide. In 2024 and 2025, she published the initial part of her memoir, Cher: The Memoir, and concluded a brief Las Vegas residency. As of March 2026, she remains active, promoting her book and teasing new musical and cinematic endeavors.
Age
Cher was born on May 20, 1946, which makes her 79 years old as of March 2026.
Net Worth
In 2026, Cher’s net worth is projected to be between $360 and $400 million. She has accumulated her wealth from various avenues:
- Record sales and streaming royalties (over 100 million records sold globally)
- Concert tours, including the record-setting Living Proof: The Farewell Tour (2002–2005, $250 million gross)
- Acting royalties and film projects (Academy Award winner, multiple prominent roles)
- Las Vegas residencies (2008–2011 and recent brief engagement)
- Licensing, merchandise, and brand affiliations
- Real estate holdings in Malibu, California, and other regions
Her wealth has steadily expanded due to astute management, catalogue value, and ongoing live performances.
Relationships
Cher has been wedded twice and has had numerous high-profile relationships:
- Sonny Bono (married 1964–1975) – Her initial spouse, musical and business collaborator; they had one son, Chaz Bono.
- Gregg Allman (married 1975–1979) – Musician; they had one son, Elijah Blue Allman.
- Val Kilmer (dated 1982–1984) – Actor; brief but passionate relationship.
- Tom Cruise (dated 1985–1986) – Actor; a short romance when he was 23 and she was 39.
- Rob Camilletti (dated 1986–1989) – Former bagel baker turned model; inspired “We All Sleep Alone.”
- Richie Sambora (dated 1989–1990) – Bon Jovi guitarist.
- Robert Altman (dated early 1990s) – Not the filmmaker; a younger companion.
- Ron Zimmerman (dated 1990s) – Younger romantic partner.
- Rob Moore (dated 2000s) – Younger associate.
Since the late 2000s, Cher has opted to remain single. She has expressed in interviews that she cherishes her independence and does not wish to remarry. She maintains friendships with many of her past partners and is particularly proud of her son Chaz’s transition and their strong bond.
Children
Cher has two offspring:
- Chaz Bono (born Chastity Sun Bono, March 4, 1969) – Offspring of Sonny Bono. Chaz came out as a lesbian in 1995 and later identified as a transgender man in 2008, officially transitioning in 2010. He is an author, advocate, and television personality.
- Elijah Blue Allman (born July 10, 1976) – Offspring of Gregg Allman. Elijah is a musician (lead guitarist of Deadsy) and has maintained a lower public profile compared to his half-sibling. Cher is a proud and supportive parent. She frequently celebrates both of her children publicly and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, partly motivated by her son Chaz’s experiences.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Cherilyn Sarkisian (born May 20, 1946) |
| Age (March 2026) | 79 |
| Net Worth (2026 est.) | $360–400 million |
| Marriages | Sonny Bono (1964–1975); Gregg Allman (1975–1979) |
| Children | Chaz Bono (b. 1969); Elijah Blue Allman (b. 1976) |
| Breakthrough Hit | “I Got You Babe” (with Sonny, 1965) |
| Signature Songs | “If I Could Turn Back Time,” “Believe,” “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” |
| Major Awards | Academy Award (Moonstruck), Grammy, Emmy, Kennedy Center Honors, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |
| Recent Activity | Memoir Cher: The Memoir (Part One 2024), Las Vegas residency, new music & film projects |
