Many people know Cher — the bold, talented, and iconic singer whose voice and style changed pop music forever. But fewer people know about the man who gave her that last name: John Paul Sarkisian.
He was Cher’s father, yet he lived most of his life in quiet shadows, away from the spotlight. While Cher became a superstar, her father stayed unknown to the public. He had a life full of mystery, struggles, and distance from his famous daughter.
In this article, we’ll explore the full story of what happened to John Paul Sarkisian. You’ll learn about his background, his marriages, how he became a father, and why his relationship with Cher was so complicated.
Let’s begin.
John Paul Sarkisian Quick Bio
| Full Name | John Paul Sarkisian |
| Date of Birth | March 23, 1926 |
| Place of Birth | Oakland, California, USA |
| Date of Death | January 28, 1985 |
| Age at Death | 58 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Armenian and Turkish |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Father | Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian |
| Mother | Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian |
| Siblings | 2 full + several half-siblings |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Wife | Georgia Holt (married and divorced twice) |
| Child | Cher (only daughter) |
| Known For | Cher’s biological father |
| Jobs | Truck driver, bartender, hairstylist, mechanic, horse breeder |
| Cause of Death | Not publicly disclosed |
| Burial Place | Fresno Memorial Gardens, California |
Who Was John Paul Sarkisian?
John Paul Sarkisian was not a famous actor or singer. He didn’t appear on TV. But he is still part of music history — because he was the father of Cher.
He was born on March 23, 1926, in California, USA. He lived a simple, working-class life. His jobs changed over time, but most people knew him as a truck driver.
Even though he had a famous daughter, John stayed far away from the public eye. Many fans of Cher only learned about him later in her career. He wasn’t part of the music scene, and he didn’t live a celebrity lifestyle.
Still, his story is worth knowing — because it helps us understand the roots of one of the world’s biggest stars.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Family and Ethnicity
John came from an Armenian-American family. His parents, Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian and Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian, were immigrants from Armenia. They moved to the United States after escaping the troubles caused by the Armenian Genocide.
He was born and raised in Berkeley or Oakland, California, in a home full of rich culture and strong values. His family was large — he had two full siblings and several half-siblings from his mother’s second marriage to Carl Yegan.
This background of survival, hard work, and close family ties may have influenced how he lived — but sadly, those values didn’t always shine in his personal relationships.
Early Life and Struggles Growing Up
John’s early years were not easy. His family worked hard to build a new life in America, but money was tight. He grew up during a time when jobs were tough, and families had to stick together to survive.
Even as a young man, John showed signs of restlessness. He jumped from one job to another, trying to find his path. He wasn’t someone who stayed in one place or role for long.
This pattern of changing jobs and moving around followed him through life. It also affected his ability to build strong, lasting relationships — especially with his daughter, Cher.
His Many Jobs and Careers Over the Years
John Paul Sarkisian didn’t have one steady career. Instead, he worked many different jobs over the years:
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Truck driver (his main job)
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Bartender
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Auto mechanic
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Hairstylist
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Horse breeder
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He even helped deliver seasonal produce
At one point, his father bought him five trucks to help him start a delivery business. It sounded promising, but the business never took off as planned.
John had talent and ambition, but he struggled with self-control and addiction, which made it hard for him to stick with anything long-term. He lived more like a wanderer — someone always searching for the next big thing.
Marriage to Georgia Holt: Love and Turmoil
In 1945, when John was 19, he met Georgia Holt — a young and beautiful singer and actress. She was just 18 years old and working in a donut shop when they met.
Georgia was charmed by John’s good looks and confident attitude. They got married in Reno, Nevada, but their relationship was rocky from the start.
John had sudden mood swings and struggled with anger. Georgia often felt scared and confused. Their marriage only lasted about two years, and they divorced in 1947.
Still, their time together left a lasting mark — because that’s when Cher was born, on May 20, 1946.
Becoming a Father to Cher
When Georgia became pregnant, the couple moved to El Centro, California. There, they welcomed their daughter, Cherilyn Sarkisian — the baby who would one day become simply “Cher.”
But John wasn’t ready for family life. He was often gone, and when he was around, he wasn’t easy to live with.
After the divorce, Georgia raised Cher alone, working as a saloon singer to support them. She later remarried, and Cher was legally adopted by her stepfather, Gilbert LaPiere, taking on a new last name during her early life.
Cher grew up without really knowing her biological father, and this distance shaped their future relationship.
What Happened Between John and Cher?
When Cher was about 11 years old, she saw her father’s name in a news report about an arrest. That’s how she learned more about him — not through stories or visits, but through the media.
Later, they met again and tried to reconnect. For a short while, Cher had both parents under one roof after her mother remarried John in 1965. But the joy didn’t last long.
John fell back into old habits — including drugs, gambling, and bad decisions. After just six months, Cher decided to cut him out of her life again.
Their bond was broken, and it never truly healed.
The Lawsuit and Public Feud With Cher
As Cher grew more famous, her relationship with her father became even more strained. Things took a turn when John Paul Sarkisian filed a lawsuit in the 1980s. He sued Cher and two tabloid magazines for $4 million.
He claimed that Cher had made hurtful and untrue statements about his past — especially about his time in prison and drug problems. John didn’t want to be remembered as a bad father or a criminal. He said he had turned his life around and was trying to live “a noble and clean life.”
But there was more drama. At one point, John took a photo of himself with Cher and her daughter, and sold it to a rug dealer to cover a bad check. Cher saw this as a deep betrayal and cut him out of her life for good.
He also told the press that Cher wouldn’t have made it without Sonny Bono, which hurt Cher even more. Their bond was completely broken after this.
How Did John Paul Sarkisian Die?
John Paul Sarkisian passed away on January 28, 1985, in Fresno, California. He was just 58 years old at the time.
The exact cause of his death was never shared publicly. Some reports say Cher was by his side during his final days, but even that part of the story is not fully clear. What is known is that he was buried at Fresno Memorial Gardens, a quiet resting place in Fresno County.
Even in death, John remained a private man, with little public attention or ceremony.
Cher’s Feelings and Final Goodbye
Cher has not spoken much about her father. But in interviews and in her 2024 memoir, she shared that her father’s behavior left deep scars.
She admitted that she tried to have a relationship with him more than once — but he always went back to old habits. After the photo incident and the lawsuit, she had enough. They never made peace again.
However, Georgia Holt, Cher’s mother, had a different view. She believed that John Paul Sarkisian had a major influence on Cher, especially when it came to her choice in men. Georgia once said that Sonny Bono reminded her of John, and that’s why Cher may have felt drawn to him.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Legacy Today
Today, John Paul Sarkisian is remembered mostly because of his daughter, Cher. He did not become famous himself, but his name lives on in stories about Cher’s childhood and family life.
His story is one of missed chances, broken trust, and a life spent mostly in the background. Still, it’s part of Cher’s story — and it helps people understand how family pain can shape a superstar’s path.
In the end, John Paul Sarkisian’s legacy is complicated. He lived in the shadows while his daughter lit up the world. But he remains part of the history that built her.
Final Thoughts
So, what happened to John Paul Sarkisian?
He lived a life that was full of twists, heartbreak, and mystery. He had a daughter who became a global legend, but he was mostly missing from her story.
John’s life teaches us that fame doesn’t always mean family. Even with a famous child, he stayed hidden — fighting his own battles, making tough choices, and living far from the spotlight.
His name may not be as well-known as Cher’s, but now you know the truth about the man behind it.
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