Sonny and Cher are immortalized thanks to their music, variety show, and their love. Sometimes, the phrase ‘Sonny and Cher’ is said synonymously with ‘Bonnie and Clyde.’
Now, the latter is a duo known for being wild and carefree. In some ways, people still find themselves attracted to that fatal love that Sonny and Cher similarly projected.
But in reality, their relationship wasn’t as glamorous as projected, and the reason behind their separation will surely make your jaws drop.
Sonny/Salvatore Phillip Bono and Cher/Cherilyn Sarkisian’s divorce was finalized on June 26, 1975. They split because of infidelity on both sides and because Sonny had imposed a limiting contract on Cher. He was taking 95% of the earnings of Cher Enterprises even though his other half also contributed. Cher called this “involuntary servitude” in the divorce proceedings.
What Was The Beginning of Sonny and Cher?
In the late 60s and early 70s, Sonny/ Salvatore Phillip Bono and Cher/ Cherilyn Sarkisian were everywhere thanks to their 1965 songs ‘I Got You Babe’ and ‘Baby Don’t Go.’ They had other hit songs, but these two solidified their stardom.
Their meeting, dating, and marriage happened between 1962 and the song’s release. They had met at a party when Cher was a 16-year-old 10th-grade dropout chasing her Hollywood dreams, while Sonny was 27, looking for the same glamour she was.
Initially, Sonny wasn’t interested in Cher romantically. So he agreed when she requested she move in with him next door after getting kicked out by roommates in exchange for performing household duties.
He had said to her when she was moving in (via The Washington Post):
“Okay. I have twin beds. You can stay in my house. I don’t find you particularly attractive.”
But romance slowly began to blossom. On October 27, 1964, the pair got married. In 1969, Cher gave birth to their only child- Chaz Bono. Apart from singing, they hosted a television show called “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour” in 1971.
However, over a decade, their marriage crumbled. On June 26, 1975, they split. But apparently, they had separated way before the ink dried on the divorce papers. But why did they call it quits? There are two main reasons.
Why Did Cher and Sonny End Their Relationship?
One of the reasons is infidelity. Both were indulging in affairs. Sonny was in a relationship with Connie Foreman, and Cher was seeing multiple men, including movie producer David Geffen.
But they remained together for business and their show “Sonny and Cher.” Yet, this business was only profitable to one of the duo- Sonny.
Sonny managed Cher Enterprises, and he was making away with 95 percent of the earnings even though Cher was also contributing to the profits.
When Sonny filed to separate in 1974, Cher wanted the upper hand. Obviously, their show was pulled off-air and canceled due to this.
After the divorce filing, Sonny and Cher’s perfect relationship had crumbled in the public eye. There was nothing to put on a show of solidarity for, and so Cher wanted her fair share of earnings.
Geffen, who was dating Cher, stepped in to help her out of the limiting contract that Sonny had imposed on her. He had previously compared her contract to “slave labor.”
So, during the divorce proceedings, Cher said that her partner, in so many ways for so long, had made her do “involuntary servitude” and had unlawfully dominated her.
Sonny discussed this accusation in his autobiography “And the Beat Goes On.” As expected, he wasn’t a fan of the term. He wrote (as per The Washington Post):
“I recoiled in shock. Cher’s charge was a callously legal way of saying that she had been my slave. Not my wife, my lover, my best friend, my inspiration, or the mother of our child, but my slave!”
When the divorce was done, the court ordered them to split their earnings and properties equally. Additionally, Sonny was instructed to pay Cher’s legal fees and $25,000 monthly for half a year.
That’s not all. He was ordered to pay child support as well. Over time, both remarried. Sonny waded into politics and became a California congressman, while Cher went into showbiz again and found success in a solo career.
Sonny passed away in 1998 in a tragic skiing accident. At his funeral, Cher had nothing but kind words to say (via CBS News):
“This is probably the most important thing I’ve ever done in my life… We weren’t polished; we were just funny. Together, we were different. We were individual personalities. And then, when you put the two of us together, we became another entity, which was Sonny and Cher.”
What do you think of Sonny and Cher’s entire sage? Whose side would you take in this messy real-life tale?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: The Washington Post and CBS News
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