From Realtor.com, Cher Spent $1 Million in Legal Fees Fighting Sonny Bono’s Widow. Her Iconic Malibu Home Is Worth 85 Times That.
Posted by Jean-Luc Andriot on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026 at 5:26pm.
Cher will have to cover more than $1 million in legal fees stemming from her long-running dispute with Mary Bono, the widow of her former husband and musical partner, Sonny Bono, after a judge denied her request for reimbursement.
The 80-year-old singer, born Cheryl Sarkisian, filed the lawsuit against the former California congresswoman in 2021. Cher alleged that royalties from songs she recorded with Sonny during their marriage had been improperly withheld.
She sought $1 million in damages, accusing Mary Bono of attempting to use what Cher’s legal team described as a “wholly inapplicable statutory termination provision” under the Copyright Act of 1976 to end Cher’s rights to royalties from hits including “I Got You Babe” and “The Beat Goes On.”
In May 2024, a judge ruled that Cher was entitled to more than $418,000 in unpaid royalties, according to People magazine. However, the ruling did not fully resolve the dispute.
In January, Cher filed a request seeking reimbursement for $1,023,605.30 in legal fees incurred during the case. That request has now been denied, leaving the singer responsible for paying the costs herself.
Cher and Sonny were together for more than a decade. They held an unofficial wedding ceremony in 1964, when Cher was 17, and legally married in 1969. The couple achieved widespread success performing as the musical duo Sonny & Cher before divorcing in 1975.
They had one child together, Chaz Bono, who was born Chastity Sun Bono. Sonny died in a skiing accident in 1998.
What Was Cher’s Legal Dispute With Mary Bono About?
The dispute centered on royalties from songs recorded by Sonny & Cher and whether Mary Bono could terminate Cher’s royalty rights under the Copyright Act of 1976.
What Did the Judge Decide About Cher’s Legal Fees?
After Cher requested reimbursement for $1,023,605.30 in legal fees, the judge denied the request. Cher remains responsible for the legal costs she incurred during the case.
Who Are Cher, Sonny Bono, and Mary Bono?
Cher and Sonny Bono were married and performed together as the musical duo Sonny & Cher. Mary Bono is Sonny Bono’s widow. The legal dispute involved royalty rights connected to recordings made by the former musical duo.
What Is the Original Source for This Report?
This summary is based on reporting published by Realtor.com on July 22, 2026.
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