Kaylah Walton
Cher’s account of her marriage to Sonny Bono reveals the breakdown in their relationship, which she attributes to his accusations of infidelity stemming from her refusal to comply with his sexual demands. This confession is part of her new memoir titled Cher: The Memoir, Part One.
In her narrative, Cher recounts Bono’s displeasure as he blamed her for his unfaithfulness, once telling her, “I wouldn’t have to look outside of our marriage if I was sexually satisfied,” while she was coping with the emotional aftermath of her third miscarriage.
Bono’s Control Over Cher
The memoir highlights how Bono exhibited manipulative behavior. Cher reflects on how he had a dual nature; he could be genuinely charming but would also take advantage of her vulnerabilities.
His controlling nature was apparent, with restrictions on her social life—she was not permitted to see friends, left home only for shopping, and even had to avoid wearing perfume, which he disliked.
Their relationship began in 1962 when Cher was only 16, and she found him captivating, noting his “beautiful hands with long, tapered fingers.” Despite the significant age gap and his ongoing divorce, she viewed him as “the coolest person I’d ever met.”
However, Bono’s jealousy and possessiveness soon caused her to abandon activities she loved, like dancing and playing sports with friends and family.
The situation escalated when Cher, while dealing with her miscarriage, learned of Bono’s unfaithfulness. His apologies were always coupled with the same excuse: “I wouldn’t have to look outside of our marriage if I was sexually satisfied.”
Over time, Cher described feeling compelled to apologize to him, struggling with the toxic dynamic that left her feeling entrapped in an “emotional twilight,” losing grasp on her own life.
Bono’s Betrayal of Cher
The most heartbreaking revelation discovered later was Bono’s manipulation of Cher’s professional and financial endeavors. She found that he controlled 95% of Cher Enterprises and held power over her finances, making it impossible for her to sign checks or access funds without his express permission.
“I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach,” Cher wrote, expressing the profound sense of betrayal she felt when uncovering the true extent of Bono’s control over her life.
