In her new memoir, Cher: The Memoir (Part One), Cher reflects on the troubled moments of her marriage to the late Sonny Bono, including a disturbing revelation about their relationship’s darkest moments.
The legendary singer discloses that toward the end of their marriage, Sonny had “seriously thought” about killing her.
Cher recounts a particularly difficult time during their stay at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas in October 1972, when she was so unhappy that she contemplated ending her life by jumping from a hotel balcony.
To convey the gravity of her unhappiness, Cher confessed to Sonny that she was considering an affair with their guitarist, Bill, hoping it would make Sonny understand her desire to end their relationship. While Cher admits that she didn’t actually intend to act on those feelings, it was an attempt to get Sonny’s attention.
After months of emotional strain and the success of their TV show The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, the couple decided to separate. However, they continued to present a united front publicly.
One morning, Sonny shocked Cher by telling her that, following her confession about Bill, he had briefly entertained the idea of “throwing you off our balcony.”
Cher recalls, “He laughed a little at that and so did I. It was crazy that he was telling me… He went on: ‘I figured I’d plead insanity like Spade Cooley and get seven years in jail before they released me. Then I’d get a book deal and my own show.’”
In a candid exchange, Cher responded that there would have been no need for Sonny to push her, as she was already considering jumping herself. She described this as “the darkest moment” of their marriage. While she didn’t believe Sonny would have actually harmed her, she acknowledged that the thought had crossed both their minds—just as she had thought of ending her own life.
Sonny and Cher’s marriage ended in 1975 after 11 years, and they had one child together, Chaz Bono. Sonny tragically passed away in 1998 from injuries sustained in a skiing accident.
Cher’s memoir offers an honest and vulnerable look into the complexities of their turbulent yet iconic relationship.
