{"id":458969,"date":"2026-05-20T20:36:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T20:36:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/458969\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T20:36:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T20:36:28","slug":"chers-biggest-moments-as-the-goddess-of-pop-turns-80","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/458969\/","title":{"rendered":"Cher’s biggest moments as The Goddess Of Pop turns 80"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are stars, there are superstars, and then there is Cher. <\/p>\n

Wednesday marks the 80th birthday of an entertainer who has spent more than half a century refusing to stay in any single lane.<\/p>\n

From her beginnings in the 1960s folk-pop scene to becoming a cinematic powerhouse, a theatre inspiration and a dance-floor pioneer, the woman born Cherilyn Sarkisian has spent six decades proving that the ultimate rule of show business is to never stop reinventing oneself. <\/p>\n

The soundtrack of a generations-spanning career<\/p>\n

\"3rd3rd August 1965: American hit singing duo Sonny (Salvatore Bono, 1935 – 1998) and Cher (Cherilyn Sarkasian La Pier), in London to promote their current discs, relax at the Hilton Hotel. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

To look at Cher\u2019s musical legacy is to look at a chart-topping journey that spans seven decades – a feat unmatched by many.<\/p>\n

She first captured the public’s attention alongside her then-husband Sonny Bono with the definitive 1965 anthem I Got You Babe, introducing the world to her distinctive voice and bohemian style.<\/p>\n

When she transitioned into a solo artist, she didn’t just survive; she dominated. The 1970s brought storytelling classics like Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves and Dark Lady.<\/p>\n

\"CherCher 1970’s. Pic: Shutterstock<\/p>\n

When the late 80s demanded stadium rock, she delivered If I Could Turn Back Time, famously performing in a fishnet bodysuit aboard a battleship.<\/p>\n

\"\"Cher performing If I Could Turn Back Time. Pic: YouTube<\/p>\n

Yet, it was in 1998, when many critics assumed her hit-making days were behind her, that she released Believe. <\/p>\n

The track did not just top charts globally; it pioneered the mainstream use of Auto-Tune (often referred to as the Cher effect) and became one of the best-selling singles of all time, cementing her status as a dance-music icon well into the new millennium.<\/p>\n

From the silver screen to ”The Cher Show”<\/p>\n

\"MaskMask with Cher, 1985. Pic: Universal Pictures<\/p>\n

Cher\u2019s ambition was never restricted to the recording studio. In the 1980s, she silenced critics who doubted her acting capabilities by turning in critically acclaimed performances in Silkwood and Mask, before taking home the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1987 romantic comedy Moonstruck. <\/p>\n

More recently, she brought her camp sensibility and vocals to cinema screens in Burlesque (2010) and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018). <\/p>\n

\"CHER,CHER, her solo music and variety show spinoff after the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour had concluded. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Long before the 2018 Broadway production, the original Cher show premiered on CBS in February 1975. Born out of the ashes of her bitter professional and personal divorce from Sonny Bono, this solo variety series was a massive gamble that cemented Cher as an independent, powerhouse entertainer. <\/p>\n

The show only ran for two seasons before she and Sonny temporarily reunited for a revised format, but its brief 1975 run remains a legendary time capsule of 1970s pop culture, music, and boundary-pushing fashion<\/p>\n

Featuring her hit catalogue and extravagant costumes inspired by her long-time collaborator Bob Mackie, the show has travelled internationally, bringing her life story to theatre audiences across the globe. <\/p>\n

Iconic alliances and high-profile collaborations<\/p>\n

\"GreggGregg and Cher Allman sing “Love the One You’re With” during their Brussels concert. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Throughout her career, Cher has been a master of collaboration, working alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment history. <\/p>\n

Beyond her formative partnership with Sonny Bono, she recorded music with her second husband, rock icon Gregg Allman. <\/p>\n

Her television variety programmes in the 1970s, including The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and her solo venture Cher, featured guest appearances from legends like David Bowie, Elton John, Bette Midler and Tina Turner. <\/p>\n

\"DavidDavid Bowie on ‘Cher’. Pic: YouTube<\/p>\n

In film, she shared the screen with Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson and Nicolas Cage. <\/p>\n

Her ability to match the energy of fellow titans while remaining unmistakably herself is precisely why she has remained relevant across shifting cultural landscapes.<\/p>\n

Family life behind the glamour<\/p>\n

\"CherCher and her mother Georgia Holt attend Cher’s hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Pic: FilmMagic<\/p>\n

Behind the glittering Bob Mackie headpieces and stadium tours lies a complex, highly scrutinised personal life. <\/p>\n

Born to mother Georgia Holt – a singer and model who remained a close companion until her passing in 2022 – Cher\u2019s early life was marked by financial instability and an undiagnosed battle with dyslexia, which eventually led her to leave school at 16 to pursue performance in Los Angeles. <\/p>\n

Her high-profile marriages to Sonny Bono and Gregg Allman made constant headlines and gave her two children: Chaz Bono and Elijah Blue Allman.<\/p>\n

\"SingerSinger and actress Cher, her children Chastity Bono (Chaz Bono) and Elijah Blue Allman pose for a photo session. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

As a mother, Cher\u2019s personal growth mirrored her public advocacy; while she has spoken candidly about the learning curve she faced when Chaz transitioned in 2008, she became a fierce, vocal ally for the LGBTQ+ community, using her platform to champion trans rights and HIV\/AIDS fundraising. <\/p>\n

Cher\u2019s current relationship has been a major talking point in recent years. She is dating music industry executive and producer Alexander “AE” Edwards<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The pair first met in late 2022 during Paris Fashion Week. After a mutual friend passed her number to him, they began texting, and their romance quickly blossomed. Beyond their personal relationship, the duo also collaborates creatively.<\/p>\n

\"SingerSinger Cher and Alexander Edwards attend the Balmain Womenswear Fall\/Winter 2024-2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

The relationship has naturally drawn plenty of media scrutiny due to their 40-year age gap (Edwards is 40, while Cher, now 80.) <\/p>\n

However, in true Cher fashion, she has been entirely unapologetic and dismissive of the public noise surrounding the numbers. <\/p>\n

When addressing the gap, she famously noted that ‘love doesn’t know math’ and shared that they simply ‘get each other,’ frequently praising his sense of humour and his spirit.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe American singer Cher with Alexander Edwards at the Dolce & Gabbana party for the preview of the exhibition From the heart to the hands at Palazzo Reale. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

She has also joked about the generational divide, admitting that she occasionally drops historical or pop-culture references that leave him completely blank. <\/p>\n

Despite intermittent tabloid rumors of splits or secret weddings over the last few years, the couple remains very much together, regularly appearing on major red carpets – from the Cannes Film Festival to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show – proving that their partnership works perfectly for them.<\/p>\n

Now entering her ninth decade, Cher remains completely unapologetic about who she is, what she wears, and how she speaks her mind. <\/p>\n

\"CherCher attends The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Opening Gala at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Pic: WireImage<\/p>\n

She broke the mould for what a female entertainer is permitted to achieve, demonstrating that age is entirely secondary to attitude, resilience, and a brilliant catalogue of pop songs. <\/p>\n

Happy 80th Birthday to the one and only Goddess of Pop.<\/p>\n

See more in our gallery below:<\/p>\n

\"Cher,Cher, wearing Chanel-style jacket, September 25, 1971. Pic: Shutterstock<\/p>\n

\"Cher,Cher, July 27, 1968. Pic: Shutterstock<\/p>\n

\"Cher.Cher. Pic: Shutterstock<\/p>\n

\"CherCher – 1963. Pic: Shutterstock<\/p>\n

\"Cher,Cher, ‘Burlesque’ Film Premiere, 2010. Pic: Shutterstock<\/p>\n

\"SonnySonny & Cher On Ready Steady Go! Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"EntertainerEntertainer Cher fixes her make up in a dressing room mirror in March 1968 in Los Angeles. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"CherCher leaning against Sam Elliott in a scene from the film ‘Mask’, 1985. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"CIRCACIRCA 1972: Entertainer Cher performs onstage in circa 1972. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"PortraitPortrait of American singer and entertainer Cher (born Cherilyn Sarkisian LaPiere) in a large, feathered headdress on an episode of ‘The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour,’ January 18, 1973. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"AmericanAmerican singer and actress Cher performing in a lavender ruched top and trousers, 1980. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"FromFrom left is Raquel Welch and Cher performing on Cher’s solo music and variety show. Series (19751976). This episode aired February 16, 1975. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"CherCher and Dua Lipa perform onstage during the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony streaming on Disney+ at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"CherCher attends the Los Angeles premiere of Focus Features’ “The Bikeriders” at TCL Chinese Theatre. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"CherCher and Alexander Edwards attend the Los Angeles premiere of Focus Features ‘The Bikeriders’ at TCL Chinese Theatre. Pic: WireImage<\/p>\n

\"CherCher (L) performs as US model Bella Hadid (R) walks the runway during Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There are stars, there are superstars, and then there is Cher. Wednesday marks the 80th birthday of an…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":458970,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[93,61,60,278],"class_list":["post-458969","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-music","tag-entertainment","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-music"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458969","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=458969"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458969\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/458970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=458969"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=458969"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=458969"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}