Cher’s life story is remarkable, filled with unexpected career shifts and passionate relationships. In her memoir that exceeds 400 pages, she only begins to touch on her transition from music to a celebrated movie career.

“Cher: The Memoir, Part One” (releasing on Nov. 19, Harper Collins, 413 pages, $36) delves deeply into her challenging upbringing (during which her mother had to place her in a religious children’s home while working); her early musical encounters with the dynamic Darlene Love and the unpredictable Phil Spector; the emotional highs and lows with Sonny Bono; and her steadfast affection for Gregg Allman.

Fans eager for her distinctive narrative style—both written and spoken—will need to wait for the next volume to explore her roles in “Silkwood,” collaborations with Gene Simmons, appearances in “Moonstruck,” her relationship with Richie Sambora, her iconic “If I Could Turn Back Time” video, Academy Awards, and her comeback hit “Believe” at the impressive age of 52, along with a Broadway show inspired by her life, as Part 2 is set for 2025.

At 78, Cher shares with YSL News, “I haven’t even started thinking about Part Two. I tend to work in the moment. I often procrastinate, and the writing process has been tough. There were days I felt I needed a break while the publishing team kept saying they needed it done right away. Eventually, they gave in.”

Cher aimed for transparency in her memoir writing

True to her fearless nature, Cher’s memoir details her tumultuous early life and the many relocations throughout California and New York. The audiobook features Cher narrating the beginning of each chapter, as she cites her dyslexia as a barrier to reading, with Stephanie J. Block (who played her in Broadway’s “The Cher Show”) narrating the rest.

Cher’s mother Georgia (who passed away in 2022 at age 96) worked tirelessly to support Cherilyn and her half-sister, Georganne (affectionately called “Gee”), often while their stepfather John Southall was inconsistent in their lives.

Cher expresses understanding towards her mother’s imperfections, sharing memorable and humorous stories, such as the time “drop-dead gorgeous” Warren Beatty asked her out when she was only 15. Her mother promptly dismissed the offer without knowing who Beatty was. When he called later to seek permission to date her daughter, Cher recalls her mother was left ‘melting’ in disbelief upon recognizing his identity.

Nevertheless, recalling the past can be a challenging experience, even for Cher.

“Initially, I didn’t want to share my story,” she admits. “But eventually, I realized if I wasn’t willing to tell it, I might as well refund everyone’s money. And once I decided to be open and honest, it became easier to write.”

Cher began the process with a ghostwriter but later felt capable enough to continue on her own. She notes that her stories stem from her memories, and whenever she had trouble recalling details, she would reach out to Gee or her longtime friend Paulette Howell for reminders.

“My goal was to be completely truthful, and I feel like I achieved that,” Cher reflects. “I didn’t just provide facts; I shared experiences.”

Cher remains puzzled by her relationship with Sonny Bono

Salvatore Bono came into Cher’s life as a protector, advocating for her with his boss, Phil Spector (whom Cher refers to as Phillip), which secured her backing vocals on famed 1960s tracks like The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” and The Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.”

Cher describes Bono as being “desperate for respect,” yet fiercely devoted to advancing her solo career.

During the early ’70s, their successful CBS variety show, “The Sonny & Cher Show,” entertained audiences with a mix of sharp humor, celebrity musical guests, and designer Bob Mackie’s eye-catching outfits. However, Bono’s temperament began to change as the years progressed.

and disloyal, largely because of issues related to a dependency on Valium and other prescribed pain medications.

“I’m not sure if it was a love/hate situation, but it sure was turbulent. It was truly tumultuous,” Cher reflects on her past with the man who is forever intertwined with her in pop culture history. “I struggled to comprehend his actions and felt both pain and anger, but mostly confusion. I didn’t get why he would do the things he did. By the final year, I realized I couldn’t endure this much longer because it was taking a toll on me.”

The pair, who welcomed their child Chastity, finalized their divorce in 1975, effectively ending their popular TV act. (Chastity, or Chas as he was later known, made a transition from female to male, legally adopting the name Chaz Bono in 2010. With Chaz’s consent, Cher continues to use the name Chas when referring to him during the years discussed in this memoir.)

Shortly after her marriage’s end, Cher returned to the limelight with her own variety show titled simply “Cher.” In her reflections, she shares the “sheer terror” she felt on her show’s premiere night and how she managed to thrive despite her fears—showing the unwavering determination that has established her as a legendary figure.

Even with Bono’s controlling behavior, who passed away in 1998 following a skiing accident, Cher still harbors a place in her heart for the man who played a pivotal role in shaping her career.

“Sonny and I had a relationship that’s hard to grasp, even for me. As angry as I got with him, there was an unbreakable bond. Even after he took everything from me, there was something special. It was like idol worship. We both craved success and loved our craft immensely. Yet, he was quite a character.”

Cher shares her lasting affection for Gregg Allman

Cher expresses a more favorable view of Allman, whom she met during his concert at the Troubadour in Los Angeles alongside her friend Paulette. Although Cher was unfamiliar with The Allman Brothers, she decided to attend with Paulette, who was a fan. Allman noticed her and sent one of his associates, Chank Middleton, with a note that read, “Dear enchanting lady.”

“Oh my gosh, I was completely smitten with Gregory,” she says, her voice taking on a softer tone. “I adored him so much; he was an incredible person who struggled with heroin addiction.” She hesitates, then adds with a slight chuckle, “I suppose you can’t have it all.”

However, Cher notes that Allman, who passed away in 2017 due to liver cancer, was “really wonderful and kind,” but his substance use ultimately led to the end of their short-lived marriage after three years and the birth of their son, Elijah Blue.

Although both of her husbands battled addictions, Cher herself never engaged with drugs.

“I never found it enjoyable. I even once called my doctor to ask, ‘Is it possible to die from a hangover?’ I found drugs to be uninteresting. People who use cocaine talk nonstop, while those on heroin tend to drift off,” she explains. “Gregory was quite intelligent, yet sometimes he couldn’t function properly due to his addiction. He was handsome, and we’d often lie in bed while he played his guitar.”

Cher is gearing up for her ‘greatest songs’ yet

As Cher embarks on yet another chapter in her career, she’s thrilled to announce that she’s producing a new album featuring “some of the finest songs I’ve ever created – I don’t take that statement lightly as I have high standards for music.”

Her current partner, music executive Alexander Edwards, 38, played a crucial role in her 2023 Christmas album titled “Christmas,” which includes collaborations with long-time friends Cyndi Lauper and Darlene Love, along with rapper Tyga and singer Michael Bublé, serving as her inspiration for the upcoming songs.

Recently, Cher received a much-deserved induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (performing alongside the lively Dua Lipa was a memorable moment, she shares) and used the occasion to express her steadfast belief in the “never give up” attitude. This resilience is part of the legacy she hopes to leave behind.

“Ignore the naysayers. Honestly, many don’t really know what they’re doing and lack vision. They fail to see what’s ahead, and if you have the foresight, hold onto that,” she encourages.

Cher also shares an important message directed towards women, hoping young women, in particular, will take lessons from her memoir.

“I want to remind them of our struggles and all we can achieve,” she states. “Women still face challenges. To those young women just starting out, I advise you to be daring and fearless.”