Chaz Bono’s life has been anything but simple. Growing up as the child of one of the most famous entertainers in the world, Cher, meant living under a spotlight that often magnified his every move. Yet, despite the challenges, Chaz’s story has become one of courage, authenticity, and transformation.
In 2011, at 39, Chaz began his transition to male — a deeply personal journey that also tested the bond between him and his legendary mother. Although Cher has long been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, she admits that accepting her own child’s identity took time.
When Chaz first came out as gay, Cher “went ballistic,” as he later recalled. Even Cher herself has said that it wasn’t easy at first. “When I found out Chaz was gay, I didn’t go through it that easily,” she once told PrideSource. But that reaction eventually gave way to understanding and unconditional love.
From Sonny and Cher to Parenthood
Before Chaz’s story began, Cher’s rise to stardom was shaped by her partnership with Sonny Bono. The pair met when Cher was just 16 and Sonny was 27. What started as a friendship turned into a romantic and professional partnership that produced timeless hits like I Got You Babe and made them household names.
Their success was matched by their love, and in 1969 they welcomed their only child, Chastity Bono — named after Cher’s film Chastity. The adorable little girl became a familiar face on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, where she often appeared during the closing moments as her parents sang their signature duet.
But behind the scenes, Chaz struggled with identity from an early age. “I’d look at other girls my age and feel perplexed by their interest in fashion or which boy was the cutest,” he once shared.
Coming Out and Transitioning
At 18, Chaz came out to his parents as a lesbian, later writing about the experience in his book Family Outing. For Cher, it was a process. “It was very unlike me to, in the beginning, have a problem with Chaz being gay, and it disappeared like that,” she later reflected.
Decades later, Chaz took another step in living authentically. In 2008, he began transitioning, and by 2010, a California court legally recognized his gender and name change. The 2011 documentary Becoming Chaz gave the world a candid look at his journey.
“My mother went through a kind of mourning period,” Chaz shared. “It was difficult for her, and we didn’t see each other for about the first year of my transition.” But Cher’s love ultimately shone through. She later said, “You don’t really lose them. They’re just in a different shape.”
Finding Strength and Health
Chaz has since built a steady acting career, appearing in American Horror Story: Roanoke and The Bold and the Beautiful. But his most personal victory came through health. At one point, he weighed 250 pounds. His time on Dancing with the Stars helped kickstart a transformation that saw him shed around 85 pounds.
“I was too disconnected from my body before,” he told Oprah. “Once I transitioned, I finally cared enough to take care of myself.”
Cher couldn’t have been prouder. “He did it all by himself. He made up his own mind and he did it,” she said. “I don’t know if I’d have that courage.”
Love and Life Today
Chaz’s personal life has also found stability. After ending a long relationship with Jennifer Elia, he began dating Shara Mathes, a former child actress turned social worker. The couple met in 2017 and have kept their relationship mostly private.
Chaz and Shara share a quiet life in Los Angeles, where they focus on advocacy and supporting causes close to their hearts.
After years of struggle and public scrutiny, Chaz Bono’s story stands as a testament to authenticity and resilience. He’s shown that living truthfully — no matter the cost — is worth it.
Cher once said it best: “You don’t lose your child. You just gain a new understanding of who they’ve been all along.”