Birth name: Cherilyn Sarkisian LaPierre
Date of birth: 20 May 1946
Place of birth: El Centro, California, USA
Height: 5' 8½" (1.74 m)
Spouse:
Gregg Allman (30 June 1975 - 16 January 1979) (divorced) 1 child
Sonny Bono (27 October 1964 - 26 June 1975) (divorced) 1 child
Sometimes Credited As:
Cher Bono
Sonny & Cher
Sonny and Cher
Cherilyn
Chér

Trivia:

Mother, with Gregg Allman, of Elijah Blue Allman.

Diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 30.

Had started dating producer David Geffen after she and estranged husband Sonny Bono split up.

Was living with rock musician Gene Simmons of Kiss for several years.

Legally changed her name from "Cherilyn Sarkisian LaPierre Bono Allman" to simply "Cher."

Beat out Céline Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" for the best selling single of 1998 with "Believe."

Wanted to play Morticia in the The Addams Family (1991), but the part went to Anjelica Huston.

Has mostly been living in London, UK over the last few years.

Holds the record for the the longest gap between #1 hits ("Dark Lady" 1974, "Believe" 1999).

Son, Elijah Allman, fronts the band Deadsy.

Suffers from fear of flying.

Wears size 8 shoes.

Cher's very first recording was novelty record "I Love You Ringo," under the name of Bonnie Jo Mason in 1963.

Her parents married and divorced 3 times.

Measurements: 32B-24-36 (in 1990), 34C-24-35 1/2 (after breast lift surgery), 35 1/2 -25 1/2-36 (late 1990s), (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine).

She won an Grammy in 1999 for the song "Believe" and an Emmy in 2003 for a special on her farewell concert tour.

Spoke the eulogy at ex-husband Sonny Bono's funeral.

Ranked #43 on VH1's "100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll."

Wore braces as an adult.

Although her music video "If I Could Turn Back Time" is often cited as the first video to be banned by MTV, this is not true. The Rolling Stones ("Neighbors"), The Ramones ("Psychotherapy") and Laura Branigan all had videos banned several years beforehand.

Mother, with Sonny Bono, of Chastity Bono.

Was called to be offered the role in The Witches of Eastwick (1987) on the morning of her 40th birthday.

Her Oscar-winning part in Moonstruck (1987) was originally offered to Sally Field, who turned it down.

She has had rhinoplasty and other cosmetic surgeries.

From 2002-2005, Cher has had an immense success on her "Living Proof Farewell Tour" spanning all over the globe, making her the world's top diva. She also holds the record for longest running tour and most money grossed of any female artist in history.

Personal quotes:

"I don't like my voice that much. I think I'm a much better actress than singer. Singing is like going to a party at someone else's house. Acting is like having the party at your own house. When you go to someone else's house for a party, it's not your responsibility at all, but when you have the party at your own house, there's a lot of responsibility. Everyone has to have a good time. So for me, acting is deeper."

"In this business you have to be tough, and if someone pushes me really far I can certainly be impossible. I've always said, 'if you're nice they walk over you and if you stand up for yourself they call you a bitch.'"

"I'm not a role model, nor have I ever tried to be a role model. The only thing about me as a role model is I've managed to stay here and be working and survive. For 40 years."

"I haven't a clue why I've lasted so long. There's no reason. There are many people more talented than me. I think it's luck."

"I was a shy ugly kid who led a big fantasy life. I thought I was an angel sent from heaven, to cure polio. When Dr. Salk did that I was really pissed off." - People Magazine 7/1/85

Salary:
Mermaids (1990) $4,000,000
Moonstruck (1987) $1,000,000
Suspect (1987) $1,000,000
The Witches of Eastwick (1987) $1,000,000
Mask (1985) $500,000 + 5% gross points
Silkwood (1983) $150,000