Cher

Cherilyn Sarkisian, known worldwide as Cher, was born on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California. She first rose to fame in the 1960s as one half of the musical duo Sonny and Cher with her then-husband Sonny Bono. Their hit “I Got You Babe” (1965) made them one of the most recognizable couples in entertainment. The duo went on to host the popular television variety show “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour” (1971-1974), which cemented their status as cultural icons.

As a solo artist, Cher has demonstrated remarkable staying power across six decades. Her solo music career has produced numerous hits spanning multiple genres, from pop and rock to dance and disco. Her 1998 comeback single “Believe” pioneered the use of Auto-Tune as a creative vocal effect and became one of the best-selling singles of all time, selling over 11 million copies worldwide. She has sold over 100 million records globally, making her one of the best-selling music artists in history. Her Las Vegas residency shows at Caesars Palace and the Park MGM were enormously successful, running from 2008 to 2020 and grossing hundreds of millions of dollars.

Cher is equally celebrated as an actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “Moonstruck” (1987) and earned critical acclaim for performances in “Silkwood” (1983), “Mask” (1985), and “Mermaids” (1990). She returned to the big screen in 2018 with a role in “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” proving her enduring appeal. Cher is one of the few entertainers to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and a Cannes Film Festival award.

Beyond entertainment, Cher has built a substantial business portfolio including perfume lines, a skincare and hair care brand, and various endorsement deals. She is also known for her philanthropic work, particularly her support of military veterans through charitable organizations. In 2024, Cher published her memoir simply titled “Cher,” which became a bestseller. Her ability to continually reinvent herself across decades of cultural change has earned her the unofficial title of Goddess of Pop.