Cher is pulling back the curtain on one of the most painful chapters of her life, reflecting on her tumultuous marriage to late ex-husband Sonny Bono. In a deeply personal recount shared in her memoir, the 78-year-old music icon alleged that Sonny cheated on her during a period marked by emotional and physical hardship.
The revelation centers around 1967, a time when Cher suffered her third miscarriage. According to the “Believe” singer, Sonny was working on his film Chastity and hired a young, blonde “secretary” to take dictation for the project. Cher vividly recalled waking up one night to the sound of “rustling and whispering” in their home.
“At that point, I knew something was wrong,” Cher wrote, per People. “I kept walking back toward our bedroom when I saw the shadowy figures of Sonny helping his new assistant out the front door. It was such a f–king cliché. It broke my heart, but you’ve got to give him an A for effort.”
The couple’s relationship, which appeared ideal to the public, was far from it behind closed doors. Cher described her marriage as controlling, loveless, and financially one-sided. At one point, she revealed that she was so “dizzy with loneliness” that she contemplated ending her life while standing on a Las Vegas hotel balcony.
“I saw how easy it would be to step over the edge and simply disappear,” Cher wrote. “For a few crazy minutes, I couldn’t imagine any other option. I did this five or six times.”
Ultimately, Cher realized that leaving Sonny was the better choice, especially for the sake of her loved ones, including their son, Chaz Bono. “I don’t have to jump off. I can just leave him,” she recalled thinking.
Cher also alleged financial manipulation on Sonny’s part, revealing that he withheld most of the money they earned together. Despite the business being called Cher Enterprises, she had no ownership stake.
“Sonny owned 95 percent of the company, and his lawyer owned five,” Cher said. “And we’d worked together for almost 12 years.”
Cher confronted Sonny years later about this, and he admitted, “I always knew you’d leave me.” The revelation left Cher stunned. “That’s not a reason!” she replied. “I was there by your side working, all those nights, all those days, through good, through bad.”
Despite the heartbreak, Cher’s resilience shines through. She finalized her divorce from Sonny in 1975 and went on to marry Greg Allman the same year, though their marriage ended in 1979. Over the years, Cher has remained a celebrated icon, weathering personal and professional storms with grace.
The public response to Cher’s revelations has been overwhelmingly supportive. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) expressed heartbreak and admiration for her strength.
One fan wrote:
“That’s heartbreaking. Cher deserves so much credit for her resilience, especially after dealing with something so personal and painful. Sonny’s actions are a tough pill to swallow, but Cher’s strength is unmatched.”
Another added:
“That’s crazy. She carried the duo.”
Cher’s ability to rise above adversity is yet another testament to her legendary status. As she continues to captivate audiences with her talent and authenticity, her story serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of perseverance.
