Cher, born Cherilyn Sarkisian on May 20, 1946, is an entertainment legend. She is a television personality, singer, and actress. Her voice is best described as ‘contralto’ but she has adopted several styles and appearances in her six-decade-long career. She attained popularity and recognition in 1965. She was half of the husband and wife duo, Sonny & Cher, who ranked number one on the U.S. and U.K. charts. She enacted her solo career during the same period with top 10 singles. Her television career began in the 1970s with both her CBS shows, “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour” and “Cher.” These shows doubled her as a fashion trendsetter as well. She debuted on Broadway through the play, “Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean,” and was featured in its film adaptation. She is vocal politically and socially, and this is why we are so humbled today to celebrate her with you.
Fast Facts
Full Name:
Cherilyn Sarkisian
Nickname:
Goddess of Pop, Queen of Comebacks, Queen of Camp, Queen of Reinvention
Birth date:
May 20, 1946
Age:
77 years, 11 months
Zodiac Sign:
Taurus
Height:
5' 8.5"
Relationship Status:
Single
Net Worth:
$360.0 million
Background
Cherilyn Sarkisian, famously known as Cher, is celebrated for conquering a male-dominated industry while owning her female sovereignty. She was born on May 20, 1946, in El Centro in California to her father, John Sarkisian, and her mother, Georgia Holt. Her father was a truck driver and her mother was a former model and retired actress. They divorced when Cher was 10 months old and after her mother remarried, her half-sister, Georganne, was born. They lived in Los Angeles and Cher’s mother worked as a waitress while still acting. She would secure roles for her daughters as extras on shows such as “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.”In fifth grade, Cher choreographed, directed, and produced a musical, “Oklahoma!.” It was difficult for her to convince boys to take part, so she took on their roles and songs. She developed the desire to become famous at a young age. She was always disappointed because she never saw people who looked like her, especially people who had dark hair, in Hollywood.Cher and her sister were both enrolled at Montclair College Preparatory School in Encino after Gilbert LaPierre adopted them. She gained popularity and recognition in 1965. She was half of the husband and wife duo, Sonny & Cher, and they ranked at number one on both the U.S. and U.K. charts. She enacted her solo career during the same period with top 10 singles. Her television career began in the 1970s with both her CBS shows, “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour” and “Cher”.She debuted on Broadway with the play, “Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” and was featured in its film adaptation. While hosting on television, she became the first female artist to have the most number-one singles in U.S. history during that time. She featured in “Moonstruck” in 1987 and her role won her the Academy Award for ‘Best Actress.’ In 1998, she released her album, “Believe,” and its title track became the biggest-selling single in the U.K. ever by a female artist.Her tour from 2002 through to 2005, ‘Living Proof: The Farewell’ became one of the highest-grossing tours to date by a woman, earning $250 million, and in 2008, she signed a $60 million deal with the Colosseum to headline at Caesars Palace for three years in Las Vegas. She has won a Grammy Award, an Academy Award, and an Emmy Award, amongst others. She is also the only artist to have a number-one single on a Billboard chart for six consecutive decades.
Career timeline
She makes her debut with the play “Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” and stars in its movie adaptation.
She stars in “Moonstruck,” which wins her the Academy Award for ‘Best Actress.’
She releases the dance-pop album titled “Believe” and its title track becomes the best-selling single ever by a female artist in the U.K.
‘The Living Proof: Farewell Tour’ becomes one of the highest-grossing tours by a woman and she performs for 2.2 million fans.
Cher gains fame with Sonny & Cher, a folk-rock husband and wife duo, and their single, ‘I Got You Babe’ ranks number one on the U.S. and U.K. charts.
Her tour wins her the Primetime Emmy Award for ‘Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Special.’
Cher FAQs
Did Cher complete high school?
Cher didn’t graduate from high school, having suffered from undiagnosed dyslexia as a child.
Where is Cher’s home?
One of the most famed properties Cher has owned is an Italian Renaissance-style estate in Malibu. According to Realtor.com, the home offers spectacular views of the beach and is 14,000 square feet with six bedrooms and seven bathrooms.
Did Cher have kids?
Her two children are Chaz Bono and Elijah Blue Allman.
5 Surprising Facts
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She found her cat under a truck
She found her cat, Mr. Big, under a track while on tour in Detroit.
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She is not a fan of aging
She has admitted that she doesn’t like aging.
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Her role model was Audrey Hepburn
She looked up to Hepburn after seeing her in the 1961 film, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” and wanted to be like her.
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She saved a girl in New York
She and Meryl Streep saved a girl from being mugged in the streets of New York.
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David Letterman loves her?
She is convinced that Letterman is in love with her.
Why We Love Cher
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She is philanthropic
She is passionate about anti-poverty initiatives, health research, patients’ quality of life, veterans, and children. She launched a foundation, The Cher Charitable Foundation, which supports global projects like Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Children’s Craniofacial Association and, Operation Helmet.
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She unapologetically speaks her mind
Cher has never been afraid to speak her mind. From politics to social issues, she remains active in the conversations that inspire change. She doesn’t mind her critics, and when she is wrong, she apologizes. She has been at the forefront of so many movements that she believed in.
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She is a trendsetter
She is among the women who pioneered fashion as we know it today. She was thrown out of London Hilton in 1965 because of her fashion sense but that didn’t stop her. She loves that her fashion stirs and provokes conversations. From glitter and glam to spikes, Cher has boldly worn them all. She continues to inspire confidence to date.
Cher’s birthday dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | May 20 | Saturday |
| 2024 | May 20 | Monday |
| 2025 | May 20 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | May 20 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | May 20 | Thursday |
