Cher has forged a remarkable legacy, rising to fame in the 1950s as part of the duo Sonny & Cher. Over the years, she has amassed numerous accolades in both music and film while cherishing motherhood. Speaking to Closer Weekly in 2017, she expressed her joy, saying, “I really like being a mother. I’ve got children that are absolutely the best thing in the world.”

Cher welcomed her first child, Chaz Bono, in March 1969, with partner Sonny Bono, followed by her second son, Elijah Blue Allman, born seven years later with Gregg Allman. Cher has always shared a close bond with her children, especially Chaz, whom she described as her “best friend.” In a past interview, she remarked, “[He] never did a thing wrong. Never, it was unbelievable.”

Despite a pleasant upbringing, Chaz faced numerous challenges as he grew up, which he later termed tragic experiences.

In 1990, Chaz faced a tough period when a magazine, Star, revealed his sexual orientation. He reflected on this painful moment in a 1998 chat with Vanity Fair, stating, “At the time, it was the most difficult thing that had happened to me. You can imagine what it’s like when the whole world finds out before you’re ready.” Although it was daunting, he managed to move forward.

Back then, LGBTQ+ rights were not widely accepted, and Chaz found himself under intense public examination. He noted the significant shift in societal attitudes, saying, “The climate is completely different now than it was five, six, seven, eight years ago for people coming out.”

Chaz shared a warm bond with his father, Sonny Bono, especially during his childhood. When Chaz, at 18, identified as a lesbian, Sonny supported him wholeheartedly. In an interview with Oprah, Chaz stated, “It was easy for him because I was like a son.” However, as Chaz became actively involved in LGBT advocacy, their relationship began to strain.

Despite his father’s conservative stance as a Republican congressman, Chaz’s activism led to tension, especially when Sonny supported laws against gay marriage. Chaz revealed, “I took it very personally. It created distance between us, and then he died before we could resolve it.”

Tragically, the father-son duo remained estranged until Sonny’s passing in 1998, which left Chaz with unresolved feelings. “We both wussed out when it came to confronting these issues,” he lamented to CBS News in a reflective moment.

In January 1998, during a family ski trip with his wife Mary Whitaker and their two children, Sonny Bono tragically passed away in a skiing accident. According to his spokesperson, Frank Cullen Jr., Sonny was an experienced skier, regularly participating in the sport with his family, alongside his active lifestyle that included tennis. Following his father’s death, Chaz Bono reflected on Sonny as a “loving father” who was incredibly supportive of his life and career choices.

In the wake of Sonny’s passing, Chaz found it particularly difficult, especially since they had been estranged for some time due to political disagreements. Sonny’s widow emphasized the painful lesson in their estrangement, stressing that such conflicts should not drive loved ones apart. Chaz’s feelings of grief were amplified by their unresolved issues.

In a CNN interview from October 1998, Chaz expressed regret over this estrangement, describing the desire to separate political views from family relations going forward. He shared that maintaining such boundaries was important to him, as he did not wish to repeat past mistakes.

Chaz Bono began a relationship with Joan Stephens, who had been a family friend and his mother’s former nanny, after coming out. Their love blossomed into a significant relationship, despite their age difference. In his memoir, Bono highlighted Joan’s role in helping him embrace his true self.

Unfortunately, shortly after their relationship began, Joan was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Chaz dedicated himself to caring for her, but the experience took a heavy emotional toll. He detailed the traumatic memories of this time in his memoir, revealing the extent of his struggle as he witnessed her decline.

Tragically, Joan succumbed to her illness in 1994, an event that left Chaz deeply heartbroken. His grief during this period was described as profoundly overwhelming, marking one of the darkest times in his life.

Although Cher has long been a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, she faced difficulties accepting Chaz after he came out as transgender in 2009. Cher expressed the challenge of reconciling her memories of Chaz as her little girl with this new identity. The fear of losing the child she once knew was a source of distress for her.

After a period of no communication, Cher was encouraged by her boyfriend to reach out to Chaz for reconciliation. Despite her fears, she took the step to reconnect, ultimately leading to a positive resolution. Cher later remarked on Chaz’s happiness, expressing pride in his authentic self.

After publicly declaring his transgender identity, Chaz Bono encountered significant media scrutiny. In 2011, The National Enquirer infamously predicted Chaz’s death within four years, alarming many. The article, “Chaz Bono: Only 4 Years to Live! Liver Damage Agony,” claimed Chaz’s surgery would severely impact his health. The report cited Patrick Wanis, who suggested that Chaz’s testosterone treatment and weight gain could lead to liver failure.

Chaz’s team quickly refuted these claims, with his lawyer labeling them defamatory and demanding a retraction. “This is completely outrageous and fabricated,” stated his attorney, Dina LaPolt, highlighting the discriminatory intent behind the article.

Further, Chaz faced more misinformation from the same publication the following year, when rumors of a fallout with his mother over his girlfriend Jennifer Elia surfaced. Chaz promptly dismissed the rumors on social media, stressing the baseless nature of the claims leveled against him.

Chaz Bono’s relationship with Jennifer Elia began in 2005 when Chaz identified as a lesbian. Over time, as he transitioned (coming out as transgender in 2009 and later undergoing surgery), the relationship faced challenges, especially with Elia admitting to a relapse during this period. She described the relationship as initially stable but later felt tension due to their evolving dynamics.

The couple’s separation in December 2011 shocked many, particularly coming shortly after their engagement. Chaz’s representative shared that they parted ways amicably. Friends close to the couple suggested that Chaz’s transition contributed to the relationship’s difficulties, as it altered the foundations on which they had built their life together.

Chaz Bono grappled with substance abuse for several years, notably after his father’s passing, which drove him to prescription medication for relief. This coping mechanism spiraled into a significant addiction. Chaz’s struggles echoed those of his father, Sonny Bono, who also faced prescription drug issues, reflecting a troubling family pattern with addiction.

The impact of addiction on Chaz was profound, affecting both his mental and physical health, leading to significant weight gain. Medical professionals noted that the drugs disrupted his hormonal balance, necessitating medical intervention to address these issues.