Sonny & Cher: The Divorce That Exposed How the Music Industry Steals From Its Own Stars
She was the voice, the face, the name on the company — but he owned 95% of everything and she owned nothing
Key Facts
What Happened
Sonny and Cher were one of the biggest musical acts of the 1960s and 1970s, with hits like 'I Got You Babe' and a massively popular TV variety show. To the world they were equal partners. Behind the scenes, the reality was starkly different. Sonny Bono controlled every aspect of the business. He owned 95% of 'Cher Enterprises' — a company named after her, built on her talent, but in which she had zero ownership. His lawyer owned the remaining 5%. Cher herself owned nothing.
When Cher tried to branch out and take independent work, she discovered the full extent of the trap. Sonny had structured their contracts so she could not perform, record, or appear anywhere without his approval. She was essentially an indentured employee in her own career. Their divorce, finalized on June 26, 1975, became a landmark case about performer rights and financial control within marriages. To exit the restrictive contract, Cher had to agree to perform over $1 million worth of shows and appearances with Sonny even after their separation.
The formal financial settlement came in 1978. Under the Marriage Settlement Agreement, Sonny retained ownership of their music rights, but Cher was granted a 50% share of all publishing royalties, record royalties, and other assets derived from musical compositions written by Bono prior to February 1, 1974, or acquired before their separation. It was a permanent arrangement — royalties in perpetuity. Cher also paid Sonny $2 million to fulfill contractual obligations she could not escape.
The case resurfaced decades later when, after Sonny's death in 1998, his widow Mary Bono attempted to terminate Cher's royalty share. Cher sued and won in 2024, with a court reaffirming her permanent right to 50% of the publishing royalties. The Sonny and Cher divorce remains one of the most powerful examples of how a controlling spouse can use business structures to financially imprison their partner — even when that partner is one of the most famous performers in the world.
Legal Breakdown: Financial Abuse
Financial Control as Marital Abuse
Sonny structured every contract and business entity so that Cher — despite being the primary talent — had no ownership, no independence, and no ability to work without his permission. This is a textbook example of financial abuse within marriage. Today, courts recognize this pattern as coercive control, and many states have laws that specifically address it.
Performer Rights and Contractual Traps
Cher's inability to work independently was enforced through contracts she signed during the marriage. California's community property laws now offer stronger protections, and courts scrutinize agreements where one spouse controls the other's ability to earn income. The case helped establish that talent has inherent value that cannot simply be 'owned' by a manager-spouse.
Royalty Rights in Perpetuity
The 1978 settlement granted Cher permanent royalty rights — a provision that survived Sonny's death and his widow's legal challenge. This highlights the importance of clear, enforceable language in divorce settlements, especially around intellectual property and ongoing revenue streams.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →If your spouse controls all business entities — even ones built on your work — consult a forensic accountant and attorney immediately. You may own more than you think.
- →Financial abuse doesn't require physical violence. Controlling someone's ability to work, earn, or access money is a recognized form of domestic abuse.
- →Divorce settlements involving royalties, intellectual property, or ongoing income streams must be drafted with extreme precision to survive future legal challenges.
- →Even decades later, a well-drafted settlement agreement can be enforced. Don't accept vague language when your future income is at stake.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.