Cher’s Battle: Escaping Financial Manipulation in Her Marriage to Sonny Bono

Partygoers dancing with confetti and colorful lights.

Cher’s memoir reveals shocking details of financial betrayal and control during her marriage to Sonny Bono, shedding light on the dark side of their iconic partnership.

At a Glance

Cher describes Sonny Bono as a “terrible husband” who financially deceived her
Sonny set up Cher Enterprises, owning 95% and effectively taking her earnings
Cher was unaware of her financial situation and shocked by the arrangement
The couple’s personal and professional relationship deteriorated, leading to divorce in 1974
Cher is currently in a legal dispute over music royalties with Mary Bono

A Relationship Built on Deception

Cher’s recently released memoir has exposed the tumultuous nature of her marriage to Sonny Bono, revealing a relationship marred by financial betrayal and control. The singer, now 77, met Sonny when she was just 16 and he was 27. They married in 1964, forming one of the most iconic duos in entertainment history. However, behind the scenes, their relationship was far from perfect.

In her memoir, Cher discloses that Sonny Bono set up a company called Cher Enterprises, owning 95% of it and effectively taking control of her earnings. This revelation came as a shock to Cher, who was naive about their financial arrangements at the time.

Cher claims Sonny Bono isolated her from peers, swindled her during disastrous marriage: ‘He took all my money’ https://t.co/r0l0EEFpYd pic.twitter.com/L3ALocNdfl

— New York Post (@nypost) November 18, 2024

Control Beyond Finances

The financial deception was just one aspect of the control Sonny exerted over Cher. According to her memoir, he also limited her social life, restricting her interactions with other band members and even burning her tennis clothes out of jealousy. These actions isolated Cher from her peers and contributed to the toxic nature of their relationship.

The singer expressed shock and reflected on her naivety regarding their financial arrangements. “I just thought, ‘We’re husband and wife. Half the things are his, half the things are mine.’ It didn’t occur to me that there was another way,” Cher revealed in her memoir.

The Downfall of Sonny and Cher

As their personal relationship deteriorated, so did their professional careers. In the early 1970s, Sonny and Cher’s popularity began to wane. The strain of their failing marriage and declining success led Cher to seek a way out. She admitted to having an affair with their guitar player as part of her plan to escape the toxic relationship with Sonny Bono.

Ironically, Sonny had once predicted this outcome, telling Cher that she would leave him and go on to do great things. The couple finally divorced in 1974, marking the end of their personal and professional partnership.

The Battle Continues

Even decades after their divorce and Sonny’s death in 1998, the financial implications of their relationship continue to reverberate. Cher is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with Mary Bono, Sonny’s widow, over music royalties from his compositions. A bench trial is scheduled for February 26, 2025, to resolve the matter.

Despite the judge ruling that Cher’s 1978 divorce agreement with Sonny Bono protects her rights to 50% of the royalties, the battle continues. Cher’s lawyer contends that she is entitled to the royalties and must pass them to Iconic Artists Group, which supports her claim.

As Cher continues to work on her craft, even at 77, with her 96-year-old voice teacher, she reflects on the challenges of her past and her enduring career. “You’re not really supposed to be able to sing at this age,” she mused, demonstrating her resilience and determination to move forward despite the obstacles she’s faced.

Cher’s memoir serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of financial literacy and independence in relationships. Her journey from a naive young star to a savvy, empowered woman continues to inspire fans and serves as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of fame and love in the entertainment industry.