'It’s hard to lose one child to get a new one': Cher gets candid about her challenges as a parent
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The "Goddess of Pop" Cher has opened up on her challenges as a parent. The 'If I Could Turn Back Time' singer confessed it was difficult raising her son, especially with his transition.
"When Chaz went through the transition, it was difficult for me," she told Los Angeles Times, adding, "it shouldn’t have been because, you know, I’ve had gay friends forever. I just met some beautiful trans chicks and we have an affinity. Now I’m totally fine."
Cher explained the challenging part of her son Chaz's transition
The 77-year-old musician went on to explain the challenging part of her son Chaz's transition. "It’s hard to lose one child to get a new one, especially so late. I think that was the hard thing for me," she said, adding "I don’t think it was the transition. It was waiting to see who the person would be, and would they be so much different than the person that was before them. . . ."
Cher admitted it wasn't easy raising her children
The 'Strong Enough' singer recalled the "difficult, challenging, exciting, interesting" moments as a parent but admitted it was difficult raising children with either of her husbands.
"Sonny was a much better husband. No, not a better husband — a better father. But I was working all the time, and I’m sure my children suffered from it," Cher said.
Cher was married to her singing partner Sonny, the other half of the duo Sonny & Cher from 1964 to 1975. They welcomed their only child, Chastity, in 1969. She later married musician Gregg Allman from 1975 to 1979.
Cher also briefly dated Warren Beatty as a teenager and record executive David Geffen, KISS frontman Gene Simmons and actors Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer after her divorce.
She had her younger son, Elijah Blue Allman, from her second marriage.
Cher spoke about Chastity’s decision to undergo a sex change
The singer spoke out for the first time in 2009 about Chastity’s decision to undergo a sex change operation to become Chaz Bono.
In a statement at that time, Cher said she didn’t fully understand Chaz’s decision, but that she loved her child and would support her.
"Chaz is embarking on a difficult journey, but one that I will support. I respect the courage it takes to go through this transition in the glare of public scrutiny, and although I may not understand, I will strive to be understanding. The one thing that will never change is my abiding love for my child."
Cher revealed last week that she had begun dating her boyfriend, Alexander "AE" Edwards, 37, after he texted her following their first brief meeting at Paris Fashion Week in 2022.
