What Really Happened to John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s Father?

When we think about Cher, we picture a strong voice, bold fashion, and a career that has lasted for over 60 years. She is one of the biggest stars in the world. But behind that fame is a man many people do not fully know — John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s father.

His life was very different from Cher’s. While she became rich and famous, he lived a quiet and often troubled life. There were broken marriages. There were legal problems. There were long periods where he was not part of his daughter’s life.

So what really happened to John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s father? In this article, we will take a close look at his early life, his background, his marriage to Georgia Holt, and how things slowly fell apart. Let’s begin at the start.

John Paul Sarkisian Quick Bio


Full Name	John Paul Sarkisian
Known As	Cher’s father
Born	March 23, 1926
Birthplace	California, USA
Died	January 28, 1985
Age at Death	58 years old
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Armenian-American
Parents	Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian & Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian
Spouse	Georgia Holt (married twice)
Child	Cher (Cherilyn Sarkisian)
Jobs	Truck driver, bartender, mechanic, horse breeder
Burial Place	Fresno Memorial Gardens, California

Who Was John Paul Sarkisian?

John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s father, was born on March 23, 1926, in California. Some records say Oakland. Some say Berkeley. Both are in the same area. What we do know is that he grew up in a working-class family.

He was not a celebrity. He did not seek fame. Most people only know his name because he was Cher’s biological father. He worked regular jobs and lived an ordinary life.

Still, his story matters. Why? Because even though he was not around much, his life shaped Cher in deep ways. To understand Cher’s strength and independence, we must understand the man she called father.

John Paul Sarkisian’s Armenian Roots

John came from an Armenian-American family. His father was Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian. His mother was Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian. Both had Armenian roots.

Their families came to America after facing great hardship. Many Armenian families moved to the United States to escape violence and build a new future. They worked hard to create a better life.

Growing up, John Paul Sarkisian was raised with Armenian traditions. Culture, family pride, and strong identity were important in his home. Even though he later struggled in life, this background stayed part of his story. Cher has often spoken proudly about her Armenian heritage. That connection came from him.

John Paul Sarkisian’s Early Life in California

Life was not easy in the 1930s and 1940s. The Great Depression had already hurt many families. Jobs were hard to find. Money was tight. Families had to fight for stability.

John grew up seeing his parents work hard. He had sisters and half-siblings from his mother’s second marriage. It was a large family with many responsibilities.

As a young boy, he learned what struggle looked like. But it also seems he searched for something more. Many people say he had charm and confidence. Yet there was always a restless side to him, too.

Have you ever met someone who seemed full of energy but never quite settled? That may describe John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s father in his early years.

The Many Jobs of John Paul Sarkisian

As an adult, John worked many different jobs. His main work was as a truck driver. But that was not all.

Over time, he also worked as:

A bartender
An auto mechanic
A hairstylist
A produce delivery worker
A horse breeder

It seems he was always trying something new. He wanted success. He wanted stability. But it never fully came.

At one point, his father even bought five trucks to help him start his own trucking business. That sounds like a great opportunity, right? Sadly, the business failed.

After that, he kept moving from job to job. There was no steady path. This pattern of starting strong and then falling behind became part of his life story.

How John Paul Sarkisian Met Georgia Holt

Before Cher was born, there was a young woman named Jackie Jean Crouch. Most people know her as Georgia Holt. She worked at a donut shop when she met John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s father.

He walked in with confidence. He was good-looking. He had a bold personality. Georgia later said he had a “farmer’s attitude,” but he also had charm.

They fell in love quickly. Sometimes young love moves fast. They were both young and hopeful. Soon, they decided to get married.

On June 22, 1945, they married in Reno, Nevada. Georgia was just 18 years old. She believed they could build a happy future together.

The Two Marriages of John Paul Sarkisian and Georgia Holt

At first, the marriage seemed full of promise. But problems appeared quickly.

Georgia began to notice sudden mood changes in John. He was not always gentle. He could be unpredictable. Imagine being a young bride and slowly realizing something is not right. It must have been frightening.

In 1947, just two years after their first wedding, they divorced. Georgia was now a young mother with a baby daughter.

But the story did not end there. Nearly twenty years later, they married again in 1965. Maybe they hoped things would be different. Sadly, they were not. They divorced again in 1966.

Two marriages. Two divorces. It was clear that stability was something John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s father, struggled to hold.

A Life-Changing Moment

In the middle of their first troubled marriage, something beautiful happened. On May 20, 1946, Georgia gave birth to a baby girl in El Centro, California. That baby was Cherilyn Sarkisian — later known to the world as Cher.

This should have been a joyful time. But the marriage was already falling apart. John was not around consistently. Georgia had to raise Cher mostly on her own.

She worked hard. She even sang in saloons to earn money. Think about that for a moment. A young mother, chasing small jobs, trying to care for a baby.

For Cher, this meant growing up without a stable father in the home. John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s father, was part of her story, but not part of her everyday life.

Why John Paul Sarkisian and Cher Had a Broken Bond

As Cher grew older, she still did not truly know her father. In fact, she did not meet John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s father, until she was about 11 years old. Imagine meeting your father for the first time when you are already in school. That moment must have felt strange.

When they finally met, Cher was curious. She looked at him and noticed something interesting. He had dark hair like hers. He had similar eyes. Even the way he stood reminded her of herself. For a short time, she felt excited to finally know him.

But that excitement did not last long. Their connection only continued for about six months. John struggled with old habits. His past problems made it hard for trust to grow. Slowly, Cher stepped back. She realized she could not depend on him the way she needed to.

Why Did John Paul Sarkisian Sue Cher?

One of the most shocking parts of this story happened years later. In the 1970s, John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s father, filed a lawsuit against his own daughter. He asked for $4 million. Yes, a father suing his famous daughter.

Why did he do this? John said that Cher spoke about his past in interviews. She had talked openly about his addiction and legal troubles. He believed her words hurt his reputation. He felt embarrassed and angry.

The lawsuit made headlines. It showed the world just how broken their relationship was. Instead of healing old wounds, it created new ones. Many fans were surprised. A father and daughter should stand together. But this situation felt very different.

The Photo That Made Things Worse

If that was not enough, another event made things even more painful. At one point, John sold a family photo to cover a bad check. The photo showed him with Cher and her granddaughter.

Think about that for a moment. A private family photo being sold to prove a connection. For Cher, this must have felt deeply personal. It crossed a line.

After that, Cher decided she could not continue contact with him. She pulled away fully. From that point on, their relationship was mostly closed. It was not a simple fight. It was years of hurt.

What Really Happened to John Paul Sarkisian in His Final Years?

In his later years, John Paul Sarkisian lived quietly in Fresno, California. He stayed out of the spotlight. While Cher continued to tour, act, and win awards, he lived a simple life away from fame.

He worked with horses for some time and tried to stay calm and private. There were no big interviews. No public speeches. Just a quiet routine.

On January 28, 1985, John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s father, passed away at the age of 58. The cause of death was never publicly shared. He was buried at Fresno Memorial Gardens. His passing did not bring big media attention.

Did Cher Attend His Funeral?

Many people wonder about this question. Did Cher say goodbye in person? Reports say she did not attend his funeral.

This shows how deep the distance had become. By that time, their bond was already broken. There were no strong public words from her after his death.

Still, losing a parent is never simple. Even when relationships are difficult, they stay part of us. That is something many readers can understand.

How John Paul Sarkisian Shaped Cher’s Strength

Even though he was not always present, John Paul Sarkisian had an impact on Cher’s life. Sometimes, people shape us by what they do. Other times, they shape us by what they fail to do.

Cher grew up without a steady father figure. Because of that, she learned to depend on herself. She became strong. She became bold. She did not wait for someone to rescue her.

She has spoken proudly about her Armenian roots. That heritage came from him. Even though their relationship was painful, that part of her identity remained important.

The Contrast Between Father and Daughter

When you look at their lives side by side, the contrast is powerful. John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s father, worked many jobs and faced constant trouble. Cher built a global career that lasted decades.

She sold over 100 million records. She won an Academy Award. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. She became a cultural icon.

Meanwhile, her father lived quietly and struggled privately. Their stories moved in very different directions. Yet both stories are connected.

The Legacy of John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s Father

Today, in 2026, people still search for answers about John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s father. They want to understand how such a strong star came from such a difficult background.

His life teaches simple lessons. Choices matter. Addiction can destroy trust. Family bonds can break when problems are not faced.

At the same time, his story shows that hardship does not decide your future. Cher built something powerful despite early pain. Her independence, drive, and voice may have grown stronger because she learned to stand alone.

Final Thoughts

So what really happened to John Paul Sarkisian, Cher’s father?

He lived a life full of effort but also full of struggle. He married Georgia Holt twice. He battled addiction. He tried many careers. He reconnected with his daughter for a short time, but the bond did not last. He later sued her. And he passed away in 1985 at just 58 years old.

His story is not just about mistakes. It is about a man who never fully found stability. It is about a family shaped by absence and conflict. And it is about how one daughter turned early hardship into lasting success.

Behind every superstar, there is a family story. Some are joyful. Some are painful. The story of John Paul Sarkisian reminds us that both can exist at the same time.

(FAQs)

What was John Paul Sarkisian’s nationality?

John Paul Sarkisian was American. He was born in California in the United States. Even though his family came from Armenia, he was American by birth.

What was John Paul Sarkisian’s cause of death?

The real cause of his death was never shared with the public. This still surprises many people. He died on January 28, 1985, when he was 58 years old.