Who Was John Paul Sarkisian? Inside the Life of Cher’s Real Dad

When you hear the name Cher, you probably think of her powerful voice, bold style, and amazing career. She’s one of the most famous singers and stars in the world. But not many people know about her real father, John Paul Sarkisian.

He didn’t live a life of fame. In fact, he stayed away from the spotlight. But his life story is full of important details — about family, love, struggles, and how he helped shape one of the world’s biggest stars. In this article, we will look closely at who John Paul Sarkisian was, what kind of life he lived, and how he will always be part of Cher’s story.

John Paul Sarkisian Quick Bio

Who Is John Paul Sarkisian?

John Paul Sarkisian was the biological father of Cher. He was born in 1926 and lived most of his life away from fame. He worked many jobs and kept a low profile. Most people didn’t know much about him, even though his daughter became a superstar.

John was not a singer or actor. He lived a simple life and worked hard in different jobs. He had many personal struggles, but he still played a role in Cher’s life. His story is full of real-life ups and downs that many people can relate to.

John Paul Sarkisian’s Early Life

John was born on March 23, 1926, in California — some sources say Berkeley, while others say Oakland. He grew up in a time when life was not easy. The Great Depression had hit the U.S., and many families had to work very hard just to survive.

His family was part of the Armenian-American community. His parents had moved to America after facing hardship in Armenia. They wanted a better life for their children. So, from a young age, John learned the value of hard work, family, and pride in your roots.

What Was John’s Family Like?

John’s father was Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian, and his mother was Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian. They were Armenian immigrants who came to the U.S. after escaping hard times in their home country. This gave John a strong sense of culture and tradition.

He had several siblings and half-siblings, including Lucy, Roxanne, Pearl, Harry, Louise, and more. His family taught him to be strong, loyal, and independent — values that stayed with him for life.

How Did John Meet Georgia Holt?

John met a young woman named Georgia Holt when she was just 18 years old. She was working in a donut shop, and John was charming and good-looking. Even though he wasn’t rich, he had a confident personality that caught Georgia’s attention.

Georgia was an aspiring singer and actress, and John’s fun and exciting energy pulled her in. They quickly fell in love and got married in 1945 or 1946, depending on the source. Their love story started fast, but it didn’t stay smooth for long.

Was John a Good Husband to Georgia?

At first, John and Georgia seemed happy. But soon, Georgia started noticing changes in John’s behavior. He became moody, and sometimes he was not very gentle or stable. It was hard for Georgia to understand what was happening.

They divorced just one year after their first marriage. Later, they tried again — remarrying in 1965 — but that also ended quickly in 1966. Georgia once said that John had addiction issues and emotional ups and downs, which made their relationship hard to handle.

John’s Personal Life and Children

John Paul Sarkisian lived a modest life. He was not rich or famous. Instead, he worked many kinds of jobs, like:

• Truck driver

• Bartender

• Auto mechanic

• Hairstylist

• Horse breeder

His father once bought him five trucks so John could start his own business. That plan didn’t work out, but it showed the family’s support.

John never remarried after his split from Georgia. He also never had any other children. Cher was his only child, and though they had a complicated bond, she was still a big part of his life story.

When Did John Become a Father to Cher?

John became a dad in 1946 when Cher (born Cherilyn Sarkisian) was born. He was just 20 years old at the time. But because his marriage to Georgia was falling apart, he wasn’t around much during Cher’s early years.

Georgia had to raise Cher mostly by herself. She worked as a saloon singer and tried her best to take care of her daughter. John was not present during Cher’s childhood, which created a gap between them that lasted for years.

Why Was John’s Relationship with Cher So Complicated?

The relationship between John Paul Sarkisian and his daughter was never simple. Cher did not grow up with her father around. For many years, she did not even know him well. This absence slowly created distance and confusion between them.

Cher first met her father properly when she was about 11 years old. At that time, John had just come out of prison. Cher was hopeful at first. She wanted a real father in her life. But soon, she felt disappointed by his actions and habits.

John struggled with addiction and poor choices. These problems made it hard for him to stay steady in Cher’s life. Their connection lasted only about six months after reconnecting. After that, Cher decided to step away to protect herself emotionally.

What Was the Legal Fight Between John and Cher?

Things became even more difficult when John decided to take legal action against his daughter. He sued Cher and two tabloids for $4 million. He said that comments about his past had damaged his name and reputation.

John admitted that he had been to prison for drugs and bad checks. Still, he claimed that he had changed and lived a better life later. He wanted the public to see him differently. Sadly, this lawsuit only made the relationship worse.

The final break came when John sold a private photo of himself with Cher and her child. He did this to cover a bad check. Cher felt deeply hurt by this action. After that moment, she cut off all contact with him completely.

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. The exact cause of his death was never shared with the public. His family chose to keep that part private.

He was laid to rest at Fresno Memorial Gardens. His death was quiet, much like the way he lived his life. There were no big headlines or public events surrounding his passing.

Reports later shared that Cher visited him during his final days. Even though their past was painful, this moment showed there was still a human connection at the end. Sometimes, life stays complicated until the very last chapter.

John’s Net Worth

John Paul Sarkisian never lived a rich or flashy life. He worked many normal jobs and lived from paycheck to paycheck. He did not build wealth, own big homes, or live in luxury.

There are no public records showing his exact net worth. Most sources agree that his net worth was very modest. His life was about survival, work, and independence — not money or fame.

While his daughter became incredibly successful, John remained a working-class man. His story reminds us that success and money do not always come together in one family.

Final Thoughts

John Paul Sarkisian lived a life full of struggle, effort, and complexity. He was not a perfect man. He made many mistakes. But he was still an important part of Cher’s story and her roots.

His Armenian heritage, hard work, and restless spirit quietly shaped the woman Cher became. Even though he stayed out of the spotlight, his life mattered. Sometimes, the most important stories belong to people who never become famous.

Behind a global star was a real man with real problems and real history. That man was John Paul Sarkisian — a quiet figure whose story still deserves to be told.

FAQs

What was John Paul Sarkisian’s nationality?

He was American by nationality. He was born in California, USA, in 1926.

Who were John Paul Sarkisian’s parents?

His father was Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian, and his mother was Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian. Both came from Armenian backgrounds.

Is John Paul Sarkisian really Cher’s dad?

Yes, he was Cher’s biological father. Cher was born in 1946 to John and Georgia Holt.

Did John Paul Sarkisian have more children?

No, Cher was his only child. He never had children with anyone else.

What happened to John Paul Sarkisian?

He lived most of his life quietly in Fresno, California, working different jobs. He passed away in 1985 at the age of 58.