Cher Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Cher’s Net Worth?

With a net worth of $360 million, Cher is an American singer, actress, and television personality. Celebrated as a cultural icon, she boasts a career that spans several decades. Over 100 million records have been sold by her, solidifying her place among the world’s best-selling musical artists. Noteworthy accolades in her career include a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Cannes Film Festival award. Additionally, she is honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as part of the Sonny & Cher duo.

Initially gaining fame as one half of the popular music duo Sonny & Cher during the mid-60s, she later became a television sensation, co-starring in the well-known “Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour” and subsequently her own show, “Cher,” throughout the ’70s. Cher then captivated audiences in Las Vegas with her own performances, which led to her return to Hollywood and successful roles in major films during the ’80s, including “Silkwood,” “Mask,” “The Witches of Eastwick,” and “Moonstruck.” For her role in “Moonstruck,” she won the Oscar for Best Actress. Cher’s music career quickly reignited with her hit album “Heart of Stone.” Remarkably, she is the only artist to have achieved an Oscar, a Grammy, an Emmy, three Golden Globes, and a Best Actress honor from Cannes, as well as having a #1 song on the “Billboard” charts every decade for the past sixty years.

Early Life

Cher, born Cherilyn Sarkisian on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California, experienced her parents’ divorce at an early age—just ten months into her life. Growing up, she moved frequently with her mother across California, New York, and Texas. At the age of sixteen, Cher left school behind and relocated to Los Angeles, where she pursued acting classes and worked as a dancer in clubs to make ends meet.

Sonny & Cher

In 1962, Cher met Sonny Bono while working as his housekeeper. He introduced her to record producer Phil Spector, leading to her initial role as a backup singer. Their friendship blossomed into romance, and the duo began performing together. In July 1965, they released their debut single, “I Got You Babe,” under the name Sonny & Cher, which thrust Cher into the spotlight.

Stardom

Their first studio album, “Look at Us” (1965), helped them achieve an impressive feat: five songs in the “Billboard” Top 50 simultaneously, a record previously only set by legends like the Beatles and Elvis Presley. While enjoying success with Sonny & Cher, Cher also launched a successful solo career. She began working with Liberty Records’ Imperial label in 1964, releasing albums such as “All I Really Want to Do” (1965), “The Sonny Side of Cher” (1966), and “Chér” (1966). Notably, her 1966 single “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” was the first of her solo songs to sell a million copies.

As the popularity of Sonny & Cher waned, Cher’s solo endeavors flourished. In 1969, she recorded “3614 Jackson Highway,” marking her first musical project created without Sonny’s influence and oversight. The couple was then offered their own television show, leading to the debut of “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour” in 1971. Following their tumultuous divorce in 1975, Cher pursued a truly independent career, signing a lucrative $2.5 million contract with Warner Bros. Records. She released the album “Stars” (1975), which, although initially met with mixed reviews, has gained a cult following over the years.

Cher

In 1975, Cher made her return to television with her own show, “Cher,” and later reunited with her ex-husband Sonny for “The Sonny and Cher Show” (1976-1977). She has released more than twenty studio albums while continuing her music career. Cher’s Las Vegas residency from 1980 to 1982 earned her $300 thousand each week. Starting in 2008, she headlined for three years at the Colosseum at Caesars, garnering an impressive $180 million from the run.

Acting Career

Her initial acting endeavors included “Good Times” (1967), co-produced with Sonny, and the film “Chastity” (1969), both of which were written, directed, and financed by Sonny. However, both projects did not achieve success. In 1976, director Robert Altman cast her in the Broadway production “Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean,” a role she reprised in the 1982 film adaptation. Cher attributes the beginning of her career to Altman and this pivotal opportunity. In 1985, she established her own film production company called Isis and starred in several films such as “Mask” (1985), “The Witches of Eastwick” (1987), “Moonstruck” (1987), “Mermaids” (1990), “Tea with Mussolini” (1999), and “Burlesque” (2010). Additionally, she played Ruby Sheridan in “Mama Mia! Here We Go Again” (2018) and voiced roles in “Zookeeper” (2011) and “Bobbleheads: The Movie” (2020).

Other Projects

Renowned for her distinctive style, Cher has featured in numerous fashion campaigns, including the Dsquared2 spring/summer advertising campaign in February 2020. She has also introduced two fragrances, Cher Eau de Couture (2019) and Uninhibited (1987). During a challenging health phase in the early 1990s, she appeared in a series of infomercials due to her inability to take on other projects. It is estimated that her various infomercials promoting health, beauty, and diet products earned her nearly $10 million.

Throughout her career, Cher has been notably philanthropic, supporting initiatives aimed at assisting children, soldiers, veterans, and environmental causes. She has worked with Habitat for Humanity, and her own The Cher Charitable Foundation supports global initiatives like the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Operation Helmet, and the Children’s Craniofacial Association.

Personal Life

In 1969, Cher officially married Sonny Bono shortly after the arrival of their child, Chaz Bono (originally named Chastity Bono), in March of that same year. By February 1974, Sonny initiated separation proceedings, citing “irreconcilable differences,” while Cher responded with a divorce petition that accused him of withholding funds and depriving her of their shared earnings. The ensuing court dispute regarding finances and child custody concluded in June 1975.

While divorcing Sonny, Cher entered into a relationship with record executive David Geffen. Just four days after her divorce was finalized, Cher wed musician Gregg Allman, only to file for divorce nine days afterwards. Nonetheless, they reconciled and welcomed a son, Elijah Blue, in July 1976. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1979. Among other notable figures Cher has been linked to are Gene Simmons, Eric Stoltz, Tom Cruise, and Richie Sambora. Cher’s real estate portfolio worldwide is valued at around $100 million, with her Italian villa on the Malibu coast estimated at $50-70 million alone. Often regarded as a gay icon, Cher’s fan base undeniably extends beyond any single demographic. She remains a timeless celebrity, actively engaging in philanthropic and entertainment endeavors.

Real Estate

Cher has owned numerous extravagant and less extravagant homes globally, particularly in the Los Angeles region. For instance, the Beverly Hills estate that she shared with Sonny Bono sold for $90 million in September 2016.

In 2006, she acquired a condo in the renowned LA building Sierra Towers for $4.5 million. Cher and her designer transformed it into a space resembling a Buddhist paradise. This remarkable condo features high ceilings, arched entryways, Bell Jar ceiling fixtures, and various “Eastern” design elements. The two-story unit underwent significant renovations where walls were removed from its twelve-room layout, creating two expansive open-plan floors. Additionally, a large outdoor terrace offers stunning views of the city. Cher put this property on the market in February 2015 and eventually sold it for $5.25 million. Notably, before Cher’s ownership, this unit had at one time belonged to David Geffen.

For nearly thirty years, Cher’s main residence has been an extraordinary Italian Renaissance-style mansion perched on cliffs in Malibu, overlooking the ocean. The 1.7-acre property boasts a three-story, 13,000 square-foot main house, complete with a tennis court, pool, and guest house. Cher purchased the undeveloped land for $2.95 million in 1989, and it took five years to finalize construction, officially completed in 1999.

In August 2008, Cher initially put her Malibu mansion up for sale with a price tag of $45 million, just before the onset of the real estate crisis. Fast forward to October 2022, she relisted the property for an impressive $85 million, later adjusting the asking price to $75 million in March 2023.

Prior to this, Cher had a bay-front property in Key Biscayne, Florida, which was sold in 2006 for $8.8 million. Additionally, in 2019, she experienced a slight financial setback selling a Beverly Hills residence for $2.073 million.