You probably know Cher, the famous singer and actress loved by people around the world. But have you ever heard of John Paul Sarkisian? He was Cher’s real father, and his life was very different from hers.
John was not a celebrity. He lived a quiet life, had many struggles, and stayed away from the spotlight. Even though he didn’t raise Cher, his story is still important. In this article, we’ll talk about who he was, what kind of life he lived, and how his relationship with Cher became very complicated.
John Paul Sarkisian Profile Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Paul Sarkisian |
| Date of Birth | March 23, 1926 |
| Place of Birth | Oakland, California, USA |
| Date of Death | January 28, 1985 |
| Place of Death | Fresno, California, USA |
| Age at Death | 58 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Armenian (father), Turkish (mother) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Profession | Truck driver, bartender, auto mechanic, hairstylist, horse breeder |
| Known For | Being the father of singer and actress Cher |
| Marital Status | Divorced (Married Georgia Holt twice) |
| Children | 1 (Cher) |
| Burial Place | Fresno Memorial Gardens, Fresno, California |
John Paul Sarkisian’s Early Life and Family
John Paul Sarkisian was born on March 23, 1926, in Oakland, California. He grew up in a large family and had many siblings. His father was named George Sarkisian, and his mother was Blanch Dilkian.
John came from a family with Armenian and Turkish roots. His parents moved to the U.S. for a better life. Later, after his parents separated, his mother married a second man named Carl Yegan, which added even more step-siblings to the family.
He was raised in California, but his home life wasn’t always easy. He had to work hard and learn how to survive from a young age. This strong, working-class background shaped his personality.
How John Paul Sarkisian Met Georgia Holt
John’s life changed when he met Georgia Holt, a beautiful and talented young woman. Her real name was Jackie Jean Crouch. She was just 18 years old when they met at a donut shop where she worked.
Georgia said John was very handsome and had a bold personality. She liked his confidence and the way he carried himself. Even though he had a “farmer-like” attitude, he dressed well and had a charming smile.
They fell in love quickly and decided to get married.
Their First Marriage and Divorce
John and Georgia got married on June 22, 1945, in Reno, Nevada. At first, things seemed happy. But soon, Georgia started to notice changes in John.
She said he had mood swings and sometimes became distant and unfriendly. It became hard for her to understand him. She didn’t feel safe or loved anymore.
Georgia thought about leaving him. But John begged her to stay. He promised he would change, so she gave him three more months to try again.
They moved to El Centro, California, and Georgia found out she was pregnant. But even after that, their problems didn’t go away.
In the end, they divorced in 1947, just one year after their daughter was born.
John’s Becoming a Father to Cher
On May 20, 1946, John and Georgia had a baby girl. Her name was Cherilyn Sarkisian, but the world knows her today as Cher.
Cher grew up to become a superstar singer and actress, but her relationship with her father was never strong.
After the divorce, Georgia raised Cher on her own. She worked as a saloon singer to support her daughter. John wasn’t around during those early years, and Cher didn’t know much about him while she was growing up.
Their family life was broken, and Cher lived most of her childhood without a father figure.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Going to Prison and Reuniting
When Cher was 8 years old, she saw a news story saying her father had been arrested. He had been caught for drugs and writing bad checks.
She was shocked. She didn’t even know much about him at that time.
Years later, when Cher turned 11, she met John for the first time. He was out of prison and trying to change. In 1965, John and Georgia got married again. Cher was excited — she finally had both her mom and dad in the same house.
But sadly, things didn’t go well. John returned to his old habits, and their family life started falling apart again.
Cher’s dream of a happy family didn’t last long.
The Second Marriage Fails Again
After John and Georgia got married again in 1965, everyone hoped things would get better. Cher was happy at first. She felt like she finally had both her mom and dad together.
But sadly, the happiness didn’t last. John started falling back into his old habits. He showed the same bad behavior that hurt the family before. This made the house feel stressful again.
Within a short time, Georgia and John divorced again. That second chance ended quickly, just like the first one.
Cher’s Feelings About Her Father
Cher tried to have a relationship with her father, but it became too hard. She said that John was not a real father to her. He was not there when she needed him most.
Their time together after the second marriage only lasted six months. After that, Cher decided to cut him out of her life. She said he caused more pain than peace.
Even though he was her dad, she didn’t feel close to him at all.
The $4 Million Lawsuit
Things got even worse between them. John was hurt by some things Cher said about him in magazines. He said the words made him look bad and damaged his name.
So, in the 1970s, John sued Cher and two magazines. He asked for $4 million. He said the things she said were false and painful. He also admitted that he had been in prison for drug use and check fraud, but claimed he had turned his life around.
This lawsuit made their relationship worse. It showed that they were not just far apart emotionally — they were also fighting in public.
Did John Have Other Children?
John Paul Sarkisian never remarried after Georgia. He also never had any other kids. Cher was his only child.
After his second divorce, he lived a quiet and private life. He worked different jobs and stayed away from the media. He didn’t try to become famous like his daughter.
Most people didn’t know much about him during those years.
When Did John Paul Sarkisian Die?
John Paul Sarkisian passed away on January 28, 1985, in Fresno, California. He was 58 years old.
Cher didn’t talk much about his death. She had already cut ties with him years before. There was no public tribute, and she didn’t show any strong emotions about his passing.
He was buried at Fresno Memorial Gardens.
John Paul Sarkisian Net Worth
John Paul Sarkisian was not a celebrity or businessman, so he never earned huge amounts of money. He worked regular jobs like truck driving, bartending, and auto repair. Because of this, his net worth stayed modest.
Most sources estimate that his net worth was under $100,000 at the time of his death in 1985. He lived a simple, working-class life and did not leave behind a large fortune.
Final Thoughts
John Paul Sarkisian lived a life very different from his famous daughter. He was not in the spotlight. He had many jobs, personal struggles, and mistakes along the way.
Even though he wasn’t a big part of Cher’s life, he still helped shape her story. Their relationship was hard, but it was real. It showed that not every family is perfect — and not every story ends with a happy reunion.
In the end, John Paul Sarkisian lived quietly, loved in his own way, and left behind a daughter who would become one of the most loved stars in the world.
(FAQs)
When and where was he born?
He was born on March 23, 1926, in Oakland, California, United States.
What was John Paul Sarkisian’s job?
He worked as a truck driver, bartender, auto mechanic, hairstylist, and even a horse breeder. He tried many things in his life.
Was he close to Cher?
No, Cher and her father had a very difficult relationship. She was raised mostly by her mother and later cut all ties with her father.
Did John Paul Sarkisian go to prison?
Yes, he spent time in prison for drug use and writing bad checks. He later said he had changed, but his relationship with Cher did not improve.
Did he ever sue Cher?
Yes. He sued Cher and two magazines for $4 million, saying they hurt his name with untrue stories.
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