Cher, the legendary pop icon and actress, is currently not married but is in a relationship with music executive Alexander Edwards. The 78-year-old entertainer has been married twice before – first to Sonny Bono from 1964 to 1975, and then to Gregg Allman from 1975 to 1979. Her current romance with Edwards, who is 40 years younger than her, began in late 2022 and has captured significant media attention due to their substantial age difference.
The “Goddess of Pop” has never shied away from love, despite the challenges that come with being one of the world’s most recognizable celebrities. Her dating history spans decades and includes relationships with some of entertainment’s biggest names. From her early days as half of the iconic duo Sonny & Cher to her current relationship with a music industry executive four decades her junior, Cher’s romantic life has been as dynamic as her career.
Throughout her life, Cher has been refreshingly honest about her relationships, often addressing criticism head-on and defending her choices. Her approach to love has evolved over the years, but one thing remains constant: her refusal to compromise her authentic self for anyone. As she once famously said, “The trouble with some women is they get all excited about nothing—and then marry him.” This wit and wisdom have guided her through both heartbreak and happiness, making her one of the most relatable superstars of our time.
Current Relationship Status: Dating Alexander Edwards
Cher is currently in a relationship with Alexander “AE” Edwards, a 37-year-old music executive who serves as VP of A&R at Def Jam Records. The couple first met at Paris Fashion Week in September 2022 and began dating shortly after. Their relationship became public in November 2022 when Cher started sharing photos and heart emojis about Edwards on social media.
The 40-year age gap between them has been a frequent topic of discussion, but Cher has consistently defended their relationship. “On paper, it’s kind of ridiculous, but in real life, we get along great. He’s fabulous. And I don’t give men qualities that they don’t deserve,” she explained on The Kelly Clarkson Show. She has also emphasized that “LOVE DOESN’T KNOW MATH, IT SEES ❤️ ❤️”.
Their relationship hasn’t been without its challenges. The couple briefly broke up in May 2023, with sources indicating they had “quietly broken up weeks before”. However, by September 2023, they were exploring reconciliation, and by January 2024, Cher confirmed they were going strong with a photo of herself sitting on Edwards’ lap, captioned simply “Love is love”.
As of 2025, the couple remains together and continues to make public appearances at fashion shows and industry events. In April 2025, Cher’s representative shut down breakup rumors, confirming that the pair “remains still together romantically and are very happy”.
First Marriage: Sonny Bono (1964-1975)
Cher’s first and most famous marriage was to Salvatore “Sonny” Bono, whom she met in November 1962 when she was just 16 years old and he was 27. At the time, Bono was working for legendary record producer Phil Spector. What began as a living arrangement – Cher became Bono’s housekeeper when her friend moved out – eventually blossomed into romance.
The couple initially performed together as Caesar and Cleo before becoming the iconic duo Sonny & Cher. They achieved massive success with hits like “I Got You Babe” and “Baby Don’t Go” in 1965. Although they told the public they were married in 1964, they didn’t legally wed until 1969, shortly after the birth of their son, Chaz Bono, on March 4, 1969.
Their professional success was undeniable – they sold over 40 million records worldwide and starred in the popular variety show “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour,” which premiered in 1971. However, their personal relationship began deteriorating behind the scenes. Cher later revealed that “Stardom made Sonny a huge womanizer. One woman, or even five, was not enough for him”.
The couple separated in 1972 but remained legally married for two more years to protect their careers. During this time, they lived in the same house while dating other people. In February 1974, Sonny filed for separation, and a week later, Cher countered with a divorce suit, citing “involuntary servitude” and claiming he withheld her rightful share of their earnings.
The divorce proceedings revealed that Cher was legally just an employee of Cher Enterprises, a company 95% owned by Sonny. With help from music executive David Geffen, whom she was dating at the time, Cher broke free from this arrangement. Their divorce was finalized on June 26, 1975, with Cher winning custody of Chaz.
Second Marriage: Gregg Allman (1975-1979)
Just four days after her divorce from Sonny was finalized, Cher married Gregg Allman, co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band, on June 30, 1975. She had been dating Allman since January 1975, shortly after ending her relationship with David Geffen.
The marriage got off to a rocky start when Cher filed for divorce just nine days after the wedding due to Allman’s heroin and alcohol problems. However, they reconciled within a month and remained married until 1979. During their marriage, they welcomed son Elijah Blue Allman on July 10, 1976.
The couple even collaborated professionally, recording the duet album “Two the Hard Way” in 1977 under the name “Allman and Woman”. They toured Europe to support the album, but the tour was plagued with problems as fights frequently broke out between Cher fans and Allman Brothers fans, forcing Cher to cancel the tour.
Cher’s substance abuse issues with Allman created ongoing tension in their relationship. In her 2018 interview with the Daily Mail, Cher explained that Allman’s addiction problems ultimately hurt their marriage. Their relationship ended soon after the tour’s cancellation, and their divorce was finalized in 1979.
Notable Relationships and Dating History
Before meeting Sonny Bono, 16-year-old Cher had a brief romance with 25-year-old actor Warren Beatty. She also famously almost went on a date with Elvis Presley in the mid-1970s but backed out due to nerves: “Almost, I got nervous, I didn’t get there [to the date], I was that nervous. I wish I had”.
Following her divorce from Allman, Cher had a two-year live-in relationship with Kiss member Gene Simmons from 1978 to 1980. Over the years, she has been romantically linked to numerous high-profile figures, including Tom Cruise, comic book writer Ron Zimmerman, and Toto’s David Paich.
Cher’s Philosophy on Love and Relationships
Throughout her dating history, Cher has maintained that younger men have been more accepting of her personality and career. “If I hadn’t met younger men in my life I would’ve never had a date…older men just didn’t like me all that much,” she explained on The Kelly Clarkson Show. “Younger men don’t care if you’re funny or outrageous and want to do stupid things and you have a strong personality. I’m not giving up my personality for anybody”.
When asked about her dating life in 2018, she acknowledged the challenges of maintaining relationships in the public eye: “The problem I have with all the boyfriends lately is that I don’t want to go any place with them because you can’t keep a relationship going in this kind of goldfish bowl, where everything you do and every picture you have taken will be on Instagram”.
Cher’s approach to love remains optimistic and authentic. At 78, she continues to embrace romance while staying true to herself, proving that love truly knows no boundaries – whether they be age, fame, or societal expectations.
