It was the ultimate Hollywood fairytale, until it wasn't. For years, the world watched Sonny and Cher through a lens of campy humor, matching bell-bottoms, and a seemingly unbreakable bond. But the "Believe" singer just dropped a bombshell in her 2024 memoir that paints a much darker picture. Honestly, it’s the kind of stuff that makes you look at those old variety show reruns a little differently.
Cher recently revealed that she basically lived in a state of "involuntary servitude" during their marriage. Those are her words, not mine. It turns out that while she was the face of the brand, she didn’t own a single piece of it.
The Shocking Truth About Cher Enterprises
You've probably heard of "Cher Enterprises." It sounds like the kind of empire a superstar would own, right? Wrong.
When Cher finally decided to leave Sonny in the mid-70s, she was in for a rude awakening. Her then-boyfriend, music mogul David Geffen, took a look at her contracts and found something that felt like a "kick in the gut." Sonny had structured the company so that he owned 95% of everything. The other 5%? That went to his lawyer, Irwin Spiegel.
Cher? She owned zero.
She was officially listed as an employee of her own name. The contract stipulated she had a salary (which she claims she was rarely actually paid) and a whopping three weeks of vacation per year. She couldn't even sign a check or withdraw cash without Sonny's permission. Think about that for a second. One of the biggest stars on the planet couldn't buy a sandwich without her husband's signature.
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"He Took All My Money"
In a raw interview with The New York Times, Cher didn't mince words. "He took all my money," she said plainly.
It’s easy to look back and wonder how she let it happen, but you've got to remember how this started. Cher was just 16 when she met 27-year-old Sonny. She was a kid looking for a break; he was a guy who knew the industry. She trusted him implicitly. To her, they were a team. She naturally assumed that being "husband and wife" meant "what’s mine is yours."
"I just thought, We're husband and wife. Half the things are his, half the things are mine. It didn't occur to me that there was another way."
But Sonny saw a different way. He saw a business model. As they got more famous, he became more controlling. It wasn't just about the bank accounts; it was about the power. Cher recalls that he became "manhandled" her once after she scolded him for kicking a puppy. He pushed her against a wall, face clenched. She told him then and there: "If you ever touch me like this again, I will leave your ass."
She eventually did, but the financial exit was a nightmare.
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The Escape and the $100 Million Loss
Leaving Sonny wasn't as simple as packing a bag. Because she was "signed" to Cher Enterprises, she literally wasn't allowed to work without his sign-off. She was trapped.
To get her freedom, she had to make a deal. She agreed to work for him for several more years, performing in shows and variety specials just to pay off the "debt" of her own contract. She estimates that the money she lost—money that Sonny controlled—would be worth well over $100 million in today’s economy.
Basically, she had to buy her own life back.
The Modern-Day Battle with Mary Bono
If you think this drama died with Sonny in 1998, think again. The legal fallout is still happening in 2026.
For years, Cher has been locked in a courtroom battle with Sonny’s widow, Mary Bono. The issue? Royalties for those classic 1960s hits like "I Got You Babe." In 2021, the Bono estate tried to use a loophole in the Copyright Act to "terminate" Cher's 50% share of the royalties. They argued that because the rights were reverting to Sonny's heirs, Cher’s divorce settlement didn't matter anymore.
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Luckily for Cher, the courts didn't agree. In late 2025, a judge ruled that her right to those royalties is "in perpetuity." It was a massive win for her, securing over $187,000 in withheld payments plus interest.
But it’s a grim reminder that even decades after a "swindle," the fight for what’s yours never really ends.
What We Can Learn From Cher's Story
Cher’s experience isn't just celebrity gossip; it’s a masterclass in why financial literacy is a survival skill. Whether you're a superstar or just starting a new job, these steps are non-negotiable:
- Never sign what you haven't read. Even if it’s your spouse, your parent, or your best friend. Contracts are cold, hard legal reality.
- Keep your own "Runaway Fund." Cher had to rely on friends like David Geffen and Lucille Ball to find the legal muscle to leave. Always have assets in your own name that no one else can touch.
- Understand "Community Property" vs. "Contract Rights." Sonny tried to use a business contract to override marriage laws. If you’re in a partnership, make sure the business structure matches your expectations of ownership.
- Update your legal protections. As laws change (like the Copyright Act), ensure your old agreements still hold water.
Cher survived because she had the talent to rebuild from scratch. Most people don't get a second act that big. Protecting your earnings from day one isn't about lack of trust—it’s about respecting your own work.
If you are managing shared assets or entering a business partnership with a loved one, consult a third-party attorney to review any "standard" contracts. This prevents the "Cher Enterprises" trap where one partner becomes the owner and the other becomes the help.
The most important takeaway? If someone loves you, they shouldn't mind you having your own bank account.