Cher by Cher The Memoir

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Early Years: - Born as Cheryl Sarkisian in 1947 - Mother Jackie Jean (later Georgia Holt) was 20 years old when Cher was born - Spent time in a Catholic children's home while her mother worked as a waitress - Experienced unstable childhood with frequent moves - Father Johnnie Sarkisian left when she was young - Stepfather John Southall became an important father figure - Had a sister named Georganne ("Gee") - Struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia in school Career Beginnings: - Met Sonny Bono in 1962 at Aldo's coffee shop - Initially worked as backup singer at Gold Star Recording Studios - First major hit was "Baby Don't Go" - Breakthrough came with "I Got You Babe" - Gained international fame after publicity in London - Developed signature style and look that set them apart Television Success: - Started with appearance on The Merv Griffin Show - The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour became a huge hit - Later had her own show titled "Cher" - Returned to TV with revived Sonny & Cher Show Personal Life: - Married Sonny Bono (first unofficially, then legally in Mexico) - Had daughter Chastity (now Chaz) - Marriage to Sonny ended due to personal and professional conflicts - Briefly engaged to David Geffen - Married Gregg Allman - Had son Elijah Blue with Allman - Ended 1970s wanting to pursue acting career Career Evolution: - Successfully transitioned from duo to solo artist - Had hit with "Half-Breed" - Created successful Las Vegas stage show - Story ends in 1980 as she prepares to focus on acting - Received encouragement from Francis Ford Coppola to pursue acting

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01:12 Escaping poverty 03:41 From LA to New York and back again 06:24 An unconventional duo 09:11 Good times and bad times 11:49 Going solo 14:49 The future is unwritten