Before she dazzled Hollywood as a star, this girl from Easley, South Carolina, faced a challenging childhood. Yet, she didn’t let that deter her from her dreams. Now, at 77, she’s not only a mom of two but also a timeless beauty.
Born in 1946 in El Centro, California, to a Bohemian actor, singer, and songwriter mother named Georgia Holt, she didn’t have the easiest start. Her father, John Sarkisian, an American Armenian truck driver, was largely absent from her life until she was 11. She recalled him as charming, but his past was checkered.
Despite her mom’s love and support, life wasn’t always easy. Georgia’s upbringing in the South meant she occasionally resorted to physical discipline, something the girl, seen in a shared throwback picture, reflected on as a normalized aspect of the past.
Single parenting was tough, and at one point, the girl and her half-sister found themselves in an orphanage while their mother searched for work. School posed its own challenges as she grappled with dyslexia, but her mom’s encouragement kept her going, even if academics weren’t prioritized.
At 16, she followed her dreams to Hollywood, where she met Salvatore Bono, or “Sonny,” as he was known. Though he wasn’t a great singer, his songwriting skills paired perfectly with her incredible voice. Together, they soared to stardom, becoming a sensation with hits like “I Got You Babe.”
Their personal relationship turned romantic, leading to marriage. However, their professional success was overshadowed by financial woes. She felt cheated as her husband took a significant portion of their earnings, leading to a bitter divorce in 1975.
Undeterred, she embarked on a solo career and found success with hits like “Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves” and “Half-Breed.” Her talents extended beyond music, earning her acclaim in acting, culminating in an Oscar win for “Moonstruck” in 1987.
Despite setbacks, she remained resilient, continually reinventing herself and producing hits like “Believe,” earning her a Grammy. With over 100 million records sold, she rightfully earned the title “Goddess of Pop.”
Now in her late 70s, Cher remains as vibrant as ever. Her genes, she jokes, keep her looking youthful. She’s a proud mom of two, including Chaz Bono, who underwent a transgender transition. Cher’s life is a testament to resilience, talent, and timeless beauty. As she continues to tease new music and write her memoir, she proves age is just a number, and the best is yet to come.
