Cherilyn Sarkisian (Cher) was born on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California. The pop star and icon left school at 16 because of severe undiagnosed dyslexia. Her career started when she met Sonny Bono. In 1962, Sonny was working with Gold Star Studios when he met Cher. They first quickly became friends, then lovers.  Sonny and Cher claimed they were married in Tijuana, Mexico, on October 27, 1963. However, later in their biographies they revealed this was not true. In 1969, Cher gave birth to Chastity Bono (Chaz Bono). The real marriage between Sonny and Cher until 1975.  Later that same year she married Gregg Allman and gave birth to Elijah Blue Allman. Allman and Cher were divorced in 1979.

Cher used her marriage to Sonny to start her music career, singing backup for several bands.

In 1964, her solo attempt, “Ringo, I Love You,” was unsuccessful. Sonny and Cher worked together and created a duo album as Caesar and Cleo. The first Sonny and Cher album featured “I’ve Got You, Babe” and the single became a smash it.  Sonny and Cher had 11 top 40 hits between 1965 and 1972.

Cher began appearing on TV in such shows as American Bandstand and Beat Club. She soon became a fashion trendsetter and is still an icon to many, In 1970, The Sonny and Cher Nitty Gritty Hour the TV show aired. The mix of comedy and music swept the nation.  In 1971, they aired on CBS as The Sonny and Cher Show. The show quickly rose to the top of the charts and received 15 Emmy Award nominations. However, the show met an early demise and was canceled in 1975 primarily because of the divorce.

After her divorce with Sonny, Cher started a solo career with the hit, “Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves.” Cher’s popularity continued to grow over the years. On February 16, 1975, The Cher Show aired as a television special. This special featured Flip Wilson, Bette Milder and Elton John.

Cher has also had many film roles and broadway parts. She was in Moonstruck, Mermaids and Skillwood, for which she received a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. Cher is active in politics and has written an autobiography.

Cher has had so many hit movies, songs and glorious moments that there simply isn’t enough room to list them all!  Cher has won an Oscar, one Emmy, one People’s Choice Award and has sold over 100 million records worldwide.

Cher is one of the few stars that are so popular she is known by one name, Cher. She will always be an icon to many. Hope she’s around long enough to sell 100 million more records.