Cher reflects on a surprising revelation regarding her name in her recently published memoir, “Cher: The Memoir, Part One.” The 78-year-old music icon, born Cherilyn Sarkisian, describes her shock upon discovering that her first name was mistakenly registered as Cheryl, not Cherilyn, when she requested a copy of her birth certificate during the process of legally changing her name.
The mix-up traces back to her mother, Georgia Holt, who was only 13 years old when she gave birth to Cher in 1946. Holt endured a challenging, unmedicated labor at a small hospital in El Centro, California. Exhausted and unsure of what to name her baby, when prompted by a nurse, Holt recalled her favorite actress, Lana Turner, and suggested the name Cheryl, adding Cherilyn to honor her own mother, Lynda.
Years later, when Cher confronted her mother about the discrepancy, Holt explained her mindset at the time, saying, “I was only a teenager, and I was in a lot of pain. Give me a break.” Cher officially shortened her name to just Cher in 1979, dropping her birth name and the surnames from her previous marriages to encourage a more streamlined identity.
Cher’s emotional journey through this name revelation also reflects a posthumous fondness for her late mother, who passed away at the age of 96 in December 2022. Cher described her mother as a source of inspiration, learning from Holt’s experiences more than direct advice. Cher reminisced about her mother’s striking beauty and strong personality, which captivated everyone around her.
This memoir offers not only a reflection on Cher’s journey but also a glimpse into her relationship with her mother, celebrating their shared love and the trials they faced together. Cher’s story is a reminder of the complexities of family dynamics and the powerful influences of maternal figures, encouraging readers to appreciate their own family histories. “Cher: The Memoir, Part One” is now available for those curious to delve deeper into the life of this beloved music legend.