When we think about Cher, we think of fame, music, and a powerful voice. She is one of the biggest stars in the world. But behind her story, there is someone many people don’t fully know — John Paul Sarkisian, her father.
His life was very different from Cher’s. He did not live in the spotlight. He did not have fame or success. Instead, his life was full of struggles, mistakes, and hard moments. This is why people are so curious about him today.
So, who was John Paul Sarkisian? What kind of man was he? And why was his relationship with Cher so difficult? In this article, we will explore his real story in a simple and clear way. Let’s start from the beginning.
John Paul Sarkisian Quick Bio
| Full Name | John Paul Sarkisian |
| Birth Date | March 23, 1926 |
| Birth Place | California, USA |
| Death Date | January 28, 1985 |
| Age | 58 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Armenian-American |
| Parents | George Sarkisian, Blanche Dilkian |
| Profession | Truck driver, multiple jobs |
| Famous For | Cher’s father |
| Spouse | Georgia Holt (twice, divorced) |
| Children | 1 (Cher) |
| Height | Not publicly known |
Who Was John Paul Sarkisian?
John Paul Sarkisian was an American man best known as Cher’s father. His full name was John Paul Sarkisian, and he was born in California in 1926.
Even though he is connected to a global star, his own life stayed quiet. He did not become famous. He worked simple jobs and lived a normal life, far away from Hollywood.
But his story is still important. Why? Because his life had a deep effect on Cher. Sometimes, even people who stay in the background can shape big stories. And that is exactly what happened here.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Early Life and Family
John Paul Sarkisian was born on March 23, 1926, in California, United States. Most sources say Oakland or nearby areas. He grew up during a very hard time in history.
His parents were Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian and Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian. They were immigrants with Armenian roots. They came to America looking for a better life after very difficult times in their home country.
Imagine growing up in a big family during the 1930s. Money was tight. Life was not easy. John had siblings and half-siblings, so the home was busy. These early struggles helped shape his life, but they also made things harder for him later.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Ethnicity and Cultural Roots
John Paul Sarkisian was Armenian-American. This part of his identity is very important. His family came from Armenia after facing serious hardship.
Armenian families are known for strong traditions and close bonds. Culture, language, and family values are very important. Even if life is hard, these roots stay strong.
This is also where Cher gets part of her identity. She has often spoken about being proud of her Armenian background. So even though John was not always present, this part of him still lives on through her.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Jobs and Career Life
John Paul Sarkisian did not have one steady job. Instead, he worked many different jobs throughout his life.
His main job was as a truck driver. But he also worked as a:
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Bartender
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Auto mechanic
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Hairstylist
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Produce delivery worker
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Horse breeder
At one point, his father even helped him by buying trucks so he could start his own business. It was a big chance. But sadly, the business did not work out.
Have you ever seen someone try many things but still not find success? That was John’s life. He kept trying, but nothing stayed stable for long.
How John Paul Sarkisian Met Georgia Holt
One of the most important moments in John Paul Sarkisian’s life was meeting Georgia Holt, who later became Cher’s mother.
They met in a simple place — a donut shop. Georgia was young, only 18 years old, and working there. John had a strong personality. He was confident, charming, and good-looking.
Georgia was drawn to him quickly. Sometimes, people fall in love fast. That’s what happened here. Their connection grew quickly, and before long, they decided to get married.
It felt exciting and new at the time. But as we will see, not every love story has a happy ending.
John Paul Sarkisian and Georgia Holt’s Marriage
John Paul Sarkisian married Georgia Holt in the mid-1940s. At first, everything may have seemed fine. But problems started very soon.
Georgia noticed that John’s behavior changed. He had mood swings. He was not always kind or stable. This made the relationship very hard.
They divorced in 1947, just a short time after getting married. But the story did not end there. Years later, they tried again. They remarried in 1965. Sadly, the same problems returned, and they divorced again in 1966.
Sometimes, even a second chance cannot fix things. Their relationship was simply too difficult.
The Birth of Cher and Early Family Life
In the middle of all this, something very important happened. On May 20, 1946, John Paul Sarkisian and Georgia Holt welcomed their daughter, Cherilyn Sarkisian, known today as Cher.
But life was not easy for the family. Their marriage was already falling apart. Soon after Cher was born, her parents separated.
Georgia raised Cher mostly on her own. She worked hard as a singer to support her daughter. Imagine being a child and seeing your mother struggle every day just to make ends meet.
John Paul Sarkisian was not there during these early years. His absence became a big part of Cher’s childhood.
John Paul Sarkisian and Cher’s Relationship
The relationship between John Paul Sarkisian and Cher was very complicated.
Cher did not meet her father until she was about 11 years old. Think about that for a moment. Meeting your father for the first time at that age can feel strange and confusing.
When they finally met, Cher noticed that he was charming. But she also saw his problems. Their time together was short. They only spent a few months together before things fell apart again.
In the end, Cher chose to stay away from him. She felt that his presence brought more pain than comfort. This is a sad but important part of John Paul Sarkisian’s story.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Struggles and Legal Problems
Life did not get easier for John Paul Sarkisian as time went on. In fact, it became more difficult. He faced serious personal problems that affected every part of his life.
One of the biggest issues was addiction. Reports say he struggled with drugs and also had a strong gambling habit. These problems made it hard for him to stay stable. They also caused trouble in his relationships, especially with his family.
Because of these issues, John Paul Sarkisian also had problems with the law. He was arrested more than once. Some cases were linked to drugs and writing bad checks. He even spent time in prison. Imagine trying to rebuild your life after that. It is not easy, and for him, it never fully worked out.
Why John Paul Sarkisian Sued Cher
One of the most shocking parts of this story is what happened between John Paul Sarkisian and his daughter Cher in the 1970s.
Cher spoke openly in interviews about her childhood. She talked about her father’s struggles and how his absence affected her life. She was honest about what she went through.
But John Paul Sarkisian did not agree with what she said. He felt her words hurt his image. So, he took a big step. He filed a lawsuit against Cher and two magazines, asking for $4 million.
This moment made their relationship even worse. Instead of bringing them closer, it pushed them further apart. It turned a personal family issue into a public fight. After this, there was almost no chance of fixing their bond.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Later Life and Final Years
After all the struggles and public issues, John Paul Sarkisian lived a quiet life. He stayed away from fame and did not appear in the media.
While Cher was becoming a global star, he lived far from the spotlight. He continued doing small jobs and tried to get by. Some reports say he also worked with horses and other simple work during his later years.
There was no strong connection between him and Cher during this time. They lived separate lives. One was full of fame and success. The other was quiet and simple.
How Did John Paul Sarkisian Die?
John Paul Sarkisian passed away on January 28, 1985, in Fresno, California. He was 58 years old at the time of his death.
The exact cause of his death was never shared publicly. This has made many people curious, even today. But some parts of his life remained private, even after he passed away.
He was buried at Fresno Memorial Gardens. His death did not get much public attention. It was quiet, just like most of his life.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Family and Siblings
John Paul Sarkisian came from a large family. He had full siblings as well as half-siblings from his mother’s second marriage.
Some of his known siblings include Lucy Sarkisian Mirgian and Roxanne Sarkisian Hopkins. He also had several half-siblings like Louise Voutsinas and others. His family background was big and full of different connections.
Even though he had many family members, not much is known about how close he was to them. His life remained mostly private, and many of these relationships stayed out of the public eye.
Final Thoughts
Today, John Paul Sarkisian is mostly remembered as Cher’s father. He was not a public figure, and he did not leave behind fame or wealth.
But his story still matters. Why? Because it helps people understand Cher’s life better. His absence and struggles played a role in shaping her strong and independent personality.
He also passed down something important — his Armenian roots. Cher has proudly spoken about her heritage many times. In this way, part of John Paul Sarkisian’s legacy lives on through her.
(FAQs)
What was John Paul Sarkisian’s cause of death?
The exact cause of John Paul Sarkisian’s death was never made public, which still surprises many people today.
What was John Paul Sarkisian’s nationality?
John Paul Sarkisian was American, as he was born and lived in California, USA.
What was John Paul Sarkisian’s ethnicity?
He was Armenian-American, and his family came to the U.S. after escaping very difficult times in Armenia.
Who were John Paul Sarkisian’s parents?
His parents were Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian and Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian, both of Armenian background.
When was John Paul Sarkisian born and how tall was he?
He was born on March 23, 1926, but his exact height is not publicly known, which many fans find surprising.
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