Cher reveals shocking truth about her real name and past romances

In a recent revelation, the legendary singer Cher shared a surprising twist about her identity in her memoir, Cher: The Memoir, Part One. The 78-year-old icon, known for her timeless hits and bold persona, was left in disbelief when she discovered that her real name was not what she had believed for decades. Instead of Cherilyn, as she thought, her official name was registered as Cheryl, a mix-up that occurred at the hospital shortly after her birth.

The unexpected name mix-up

Cher recounted the moment she decided to change her legal name to simply Cher, stating, “I believed Cherilyn was my name until the day years later when I decided to legally change my name to simply Cher.” This revelation came after a nurse at the hospital insisted on knowing the baby’s name, leading her mother, Georgia Holt, to concoct a name inspired by her favorite actress, Lana Turner. “My mother had no idea,” Cher explained, “but the woman insisted so she replied, ‘Well, Lana Turner’s my favorite actress and her little girl’s called Cheryl. My mother’s name is Lynda, so how about Cherilyn?’”

Changing her identity

In the late 1970s, Cher made the bold decision to drop her last name, Sarkisian, and embrace her stage name fully. Reflecting on this choice, she told Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, “I like it. It’s better for me than having people wonder if they should call me Mrs. Allman or Mrs. Bono or whatever. I mean, ‘Cher’ is just fine. Just plain ‘Cher.’” This decision not only simplified her identity but also solidified her brand as a music and fashion icon.

Insights into her love life

Alongside her name revelation, Cher also opened up about her romantic history during an appearance on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show. When asked if any of her exes had ever left her, she candidly admitted, “Few men, few men. Look, I was madly in love with Val Kilmer and he left.” Cher’s relationship with Kilmer, who is 13 years her junior, was a hot topic during their time together. Reflecting on their breakup, she noted, “he was really young,” suggesting that sometimes relationships are only meant to last for a certain period.

Cher’s revelations about her name and relationships provide a glimpse into the life of a woman who has navigated fame, love, and identity with grace and resilience. As she continues to inspire new generations, her story reminds us that even icons have their moments of surprise and self-discovery.