Life of an icon

1946

Cherilyn Sarkisian is born in El Centro, California. Her mother, Georgia Holt, is a former model and retired actress; her father, John Sarkisian, an ArmenianAmerican truck driver. Within ten months her parents are divorced. Cher won’t see her father again until she is 11.

1962

A 16-year-old Cher meets Sonny Bono in a club on Sunset Strip.

1965

The duo begin releasing music as Sonny & Cher. Their debut single ‘I Got You Babe’ goes to number one in both the US and the UK. They go on to chart five songs in the top 50 at the same time, an achievement equalled only by Elvis Presley and the Beatles.

1969

Cher gives birth to her first child, Chaz Bono. Her second, Elijah Blue Allman, is born seven years later.

1971

The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour

premieres. The Emmy-award-winning show is watched by more than 30 million viewers across its three-year run. It wraps in 1974 with the couple’s divorce. That same year, Cher becomes the first female singer in the US to have four number ones when ‘Dark Lady’ hits the top.

1983

Cher receives an Oscar nomination for her role in Silkwood alongside Meryl Streep.

1988

Wins the Best Actress Oscar for

Moonstruck and now commands $1 million per film.

1998

The dance-pop album Believe

is released. The title track tops the charts in 23 countries, becoming the biggest-selling single ever by a female artist in the UK.

2010

She stars in Burlesque opposite fellow pop-diva Christina Aguilera. ‘You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me’ sees her become the only artist with number-one singles in six consecutive decades.

2018

Appears in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

2023

Cher releases her first festive album,

Christmas, with guests including Stevie Wonder, Tyga and Cyndi Lauper.