To millions of fans, Sonny & Cher seemed inseparable.
Behind the scenes, Cher was becoming increasingly determined to control her own life and career.
In the 1970s, she made the enormous decision to leave Sonny Bono — ending not only their marriage, but one of entertainment’s most recognizable partnerships.
Cher later described feeling trapped by the relationship and the business arrangement surrounding their success. Walking away meant facing an uncertain future without the man who had helped launch her career.
But it also marked the beginning of something bigger.
Cher rebuilt herself as a solo artist, actress and eventually an Oscar-winning Hollywood star.
Decades later, she has spoken candidly about that complicated chapter — including the affection that remained alongside the reasons she knew she had to leave.
Sometimes walking away isn’t the end of the story.
For Cher, it was the beginning of becoming entirely her own.
