Cher sues Sonny Bono’s widow Mary over $1 million in royalties

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Cher NYC Pride 2013 - Dance On The Pier
Cher performs on stage as part of the 27th “Dance on the Pier” party during NYC Pride 2013 on June 30, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

Cher has sued the widow of her late ex-husband, Sonny Bono, to protect her share of royalties from their music.

The lawsuit — filed against former Massachusetts Rep. Mary Bono in a Los Angeles federal court on Wednesday — is asking for damages that could exceed $1 million, according to court documents. Deadline first reported the lawsuit.

Cher and Sonny Bono divorced in 1975 and agreed to equally split the royalties from songs they recorded together. Their shared hit songs included “I Got You Babe” and “The Beat Goes On.”

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Cher attends the UK Premiere of “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” at Eventim Apollo on July 16, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Getty Images)

The lawsuit alleges that Bono has denied Cher of royalties and other rights from the agreement, though court documents did not mention anything specific. According to NBC News, the lawsuit alleges that Mary Bono (through the Bono Collection Trust) “told Cher she would be cut off from royalties to Sonny & Cher hits” last month.

Mary Bono was the fourth wife of Sonny, who died in 1998 in a skiing accident. He and Cher were married from 1967 to 1975.

Cher’s lawyers and Mary Bono did not immediately respond to a request from Insider for comment.


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