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When Sonny Bono hit that tree at Heavenly Mountain Resort in 1998, he didn’t just leave behind a grieving widow and a vacant seat in Congress. He left a mess. Honestly, for a guy who spent half his life in the spotlight and the other half writing laws, you’d think he would have signed a basic will. He didn’t. Because of that, the lives of the Sonny Bono children became public fodder in a way that felt kind of intrusive, even by Hollywood standards.
People mostly remember Chaz. That makes sense. But Sonny actually had four kids across three of his four marriages. There was also a "secret" son who popped up out of the woodwork after the funeral, claiming a piece of the pie. It’s a lot to keep track of, especially since some of them avoid the paparazzi like the plague while others are right in the thick of it.
The First Daughter: Christy Bono Fasce
Before the fur vests and the variety shows with Cher, Sonny was married to Donna Rankin. They had a daughter named Christine, though everyone calls her Christy. She was born in 1958, way before "I Got You Babe" made her dad a household name.
Christy’s life has been a world away from the glitz of her father’s later years. She’s mostly known for being a restaurateur. For a long time, she ran Christy’s on the Hill in Long Beach. It was a local staple, very much about the food and the hospitality rather than the "Sonny Bono's daughter" brand.
She’s basically the elder statesman of the Bono kids. When the estate battle turned ugly—and it did—she was often the one keeping a level head. She has a son named Nico, making her the one who gave Sonny his first grandchild.
Chaz Bono: The Only Child of Sonny and Cher
If you were alive in the 70s, you saw Chaz. Back then, he was Chastity, the curly-haired kid appearing on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. It’s probably weird to grow up with the entire world watching you in matching polyester outfits.
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Chaz is Sonny’s most famous child, but his journey hasn't been easy. He came out as a lesbian in the 90s, which was a huge deal back then. Later, in 2008, he began his gender transition. He’s been super open about the whole process, even releasing the documentary Becoming Chaz.
- Career: Actor and writer.
- Notable Work: American Horror Story, Curb Your Enthusiasm.
- Advocacy: He’s a massive voice for the LGBTQ+ community.
Honestly, Chaz and Sonny had a complicated relationship. Sonny was a conservative Republican congressman by the time Chaz was coming out. They didn't always see eye-to-eye on politics, but by most accounts, there was still a lot of love there. Chaz even took the middle name "Salvatore" to honor his dad after he passed.
The Younger Heirs: Chesare and Chianna
Sonny’s fourth marriage was to Mary Whitaker. They had two kids together: Chesare and Chianna. They were just nine and six years old when their dad died. Imagine being that young and having to watch your mom get sworn into your dad’s Congressional seat while lawyers argue over his bank account.
Chesare Elan Bono is the only biological son Sonny had with Mary. He’s stayed out of the limelight for the most part, though he’s dabbled in music and some behind-the-scenes work.
Chianna Maria Bono is the youngest. Like her brother, she’s opted for a private life. You won't find her chasing reality TV deals. She’s mostly seen at family commemorations or events honoring her father’s political legacy in Palm Springs.
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The Mystery of the "Fifth" Child
This is where things get messy. Shortly after Sonny died, a man named Sean Machu came forward. He claimed he was Sonny’s illegitimate son from an affair in the 1960s.
Bono actually mentioned the affair in his autobiography, The Beat Goes On. He even admitted he thought Sean might be his. Sean’s birth certificate even listed "Salvatore Bono" as the father.
But when it came time to prove it for the estate, things stalled. Sean eventually withdrew his claim after Mary Bono’s legal team pushed for DNA testing. Whether he was actually Sonny's son or just didn't want to deal with the court drama is something people still argue about in gossip forums.
Why the Estate Battle Mattered
Because there was no will, the Sonny Bono children and his widow Mary had to split everything according to California law. It wasn't just a 50/50 split.
- Mary got a third of the estate.
- The four children split the remaining two-thirds.
- Legal fees ate up a huge chunk of the $2 million valuation.
Cher even sued the estate for $1.6 million in unpaid alimony from their 1974 divorce. It sounds crazy because Cher is worth hundreds of millions, but she said it was about the principle of the contract. This meant the kids’ inheritance was tied up in court for years.
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The Bono Legacy Today
The kids have all gone their separate ways, but they seem to stay connected through their shared history. You’ll occasionally see them all together when Hollywood honors Sonny, like at the Walk of Fame ceremonies.
It’s interesting how they’ve handled the fame. Chaz embraced the creative side. Christy chose the service industry. The younger two chose privacy. It’s a mix that feels very human. They aren't a "dynasty" like the Kardashians; they’re just people who happened to have a very famous, very busy father.
If you’re looking into the Bono family history, the best way to understand them is to look at their individual work. Chaz’s memoirs give a raw look at what it was like growing up in that house. Christy’s old restaurant reviews tell you about her work ethic.
Take Action: If you want to see the family’s dynamic for yourself, watch the 2011 documentary Becoming Chaz. It’s a great starting point for understanding how the Bono kids navigated their father’s shadow and eventually found their own light. Also, if you ever find yourself in Palm Springs, visit the statue of Sonny in the downtown plaza—it’s a reminder of the man who started this whole complicated, fascinating family story.