Why Cher Is Suing Sonny Bono’s Widow Mary Bono For $1 Million
Singer, actor, and entrepreneur Cher is in the midst of a lawsuit against Mary Bono, Sonny Bono’s widow. Sonny Bono was Cher’s former spouse and the father of one of her children. He was also her musical collaborator and TV show co-host. Here’s everything we know about the lawsuit so far.
Cher filed a lawsuit against Sonny Bono’s widow Mary Bono for unpaid ‘Sonny & Cher’ royalties
According to USA Today, on Oct. 13, Cher filed a lawsuit against Mary Bono, her ex-husband Sonny Bono’s widow. Cher is suing Bono over royalties for songs she made as part of the musical duo Sonny & Cher.
Cher’s lawsuit accuses Mary Bono and other defendants of attempting to end business agreements Sonny and Cher made when they divorced in 1975. Their deal entitled both of them to 50% of recording and songwriting royalties for their songs, including hits like “I Got You Babe” and “The Beat Goes On.”
The lawsuit alleges that in 2016, Sonny Bono’s heirs filed to terminate some of his song licensing agreements. But according to Cher, his heirs could not have legally ended his agreements with her.
The “Believe” singer is suing for damages totaling at least $1 million.
Mary Bono’s attorney in the lawsuit says her family is within their legal rights
Daniel Schacht, Mary Bono’s attorney, says that the widow and her family are within their legal rights and do not owe Cher any damages.
“The Copyright Act allows Sonny’s widow and children to reclaim Sonny’s copyrights from publishers, which is what they did,” Schacht claimed in a statement. “Representative Bono remains open to continuing a private discussion about this, but we are confident that, if necessary, the court will affirm their position.”
Cher’s and Mary Bono’s relationships with Sonny Bono
Cher first rose to popularity in the music industry as part of the musical duo Sonny & Cher. Their song “I Got You Babe” reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart. After public interest in Sonny & Cher waned, Cher achieved success as a solo artist with hits like “Alfie” and “You Better Sit Down Kids.” Cher and Sonny Bono also co-hosted an award-winning variety TV show, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.
The couple married and had one child together, Chaz Bono. They divorced in 1975.
Sonny Bono went on to marry Susie Coelho, whom he divorced in 1984, before marrying Mary Whitaker in 1986. He became the mayor of Palm Springs in 1988 and a member of the United States House of Representatives in 1994. Sonny and Mary had two children together.
Bono died in 1988 after a skiing accident in South Lake Tahoe, California. Cher delivered a eulogy during Bono’s funeral at the request of his widow, Mary. After her husband’s death, Mary Bono was elected to fill his seat in the House of Representatives, and she was elected to the position seven subsequent times.
