Cher sues widow for Bono royalties

Cher is suing Sonny Bono’s widow over royalties to songs the pop icon made famous with her ex-husband as Sonny and Cher.

Cher filed a $1-million (U.S.) federal lawsuit Wednesday against former politician Mary Bono, a trustee of the Bono Collection Trust, and other individuals, accusing them of breach of contract.

Cher, 75, claimed that Bono’s fourth wife has tried to terminate provisions that entitle Cher to 50 per cent ownership of the duo’s musical composition royalties, record royalties and other assets from their marriage.

“The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour” stars began performing together in 1964, married in 1967 and divorced in 1975.

Sonny Bono died in a Lake Tahoe skiing accident in 1998.

Cher alleged that she and Sonny agreed to equal division of their community property when they settled their divorce in 1978.