Cher's toxic family and relationships with kids as son bans her from wedding

17 February 2024 , 09:23

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Cher with her son Chaz Bono (Image: WireImage)

American singer Cher has reached international fame during her long music career, but just like everyone, she has also had her fair share of family drama - including two high-profile marriages that ended up in divorce, with the hitmaker also enduring tensions with her sons.

The star, who was born Cherilyn Sarkisianis, left high school in 1962 and shortly after she met her first husband, Sonny Bono. They married in 1964 and welcomed their son, Chaz Bono, in 1969. However, they separated in 1975 amid reports of infidelity.

The Grammy winner then moved on with Gregg Allman, whom she married in June 1975. They had a son together, Elijah Blue Allman, but in 1979 they split due to Gregg's substance abuse.

READ MORE: Inside Cher's toxic family as her own son bans her from his wedding

Chaz reportedly removed his mother from his wedding guest list (FilmMagic)

During an interview in 2018 - one year after her second husband died of liver cancer - the "Believe" singer said: "It was really intense, but it's hard to have a marriage with someone who's doing drugs. Drugs and I were just never meant to be together. I thought it was stupid and still do. I saw too many people where it ruined their lives. It ruined Gregory's life."

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But the singer also opened up about issues with her first marriage and in 2010 she told Parade that while she was "trusting and faithful" with Sonny - who died from injuries following a skiing incident in 1998 - it was not the same for him. She explained: "One woman, or even five, was not enough for him. I found all this out afterward. I asked him, ‘How did you manage the logistics?’ I was trusting and faithful with him. I'm not sure we should've ever been husband and wife."

She also said she had no money after her divorce as she had to pay her ex-husband $2million (£1.6million) which "took a long time", as she told USA Today: "I thought I’d never climb out of that hole." However, the drama Cher went through did not just involve her ex-husbands, but her children too.

Earlier today, we reported that her oldest son, 54-year-old Chaz Bono, is getting married to Shara Blue Mathes soon but will not be inviting his mother to the wedding. Sources told In Touch that Cher's son and his wife-to-be "don't feel too bad" about removing the 77-year-old singer from their guest list as they want to avoid "theatrics".

Chastity (now Chaz) Bono feeding a killed whale at the Seaquarium in Miami, Florida (Getty Images)

Cher with her youngest son, Elijah Blue, in 2001 (Getty Images)

An insider said: "Chaz and Shara are removing Cher from the guest list entirely and don’t feel too bad about it either. They want a simple ceremony with none of Cher's theatrics."

According to the source, the relationship between the singer and Chaz has been tense since he came out as gay and transitioned in 2008. The insider added: "Cher has tried to be there for her kids, but neither wants anything to do with her. It's devastating."

The singer talked about the transition on CNN back in 2020 and reflected on how she grew as a parent during that time. Cher has advocated for the LGBTQIA+ community for many decades but said it was "wasn't easy" at first when Chaz made his decision.

Cher with her two children in 1981 (Getty Images)

The latest wedding drama comes after a judge denied Cher's request that her youngest son Elijah, who is now 47 years old, be put into an emergency court conservatorship controlling his money due to his struggles with mental health and substance abuse. Los Angeles superior court judge Jessica A Uzcategui was not convinced that a conservatorship was urgently needed and declined the petition last month, but said she will still consider a larger, longer-term conservatorship at a hearing in March.

Cher observed the hearing remotely but did not take part in the arguments. Elijah was in court with his lawyers and, while they acknowledged his previous struggles, they said he is now getting treatment and is also reconciling with his previously estranged wife - which he claims his mother "objects" to.

Allman's lawyer said after the hearing: "We are thrilled that the court saw that he does not need a temporary conservatorship. He's got a lot of support, he's doing great."

Chiara Fiorillo