When Cher's kids were growing up, they practically traveled the world with her. "When they were little, I just took them everywhere with me," the legendary performer reveals, with a mix of nostalgia and regret. "Looking back, I wish I could have given them a bit more stability. It's tough in this business, you know?" she admits candidly. Cher, now 75, acknowledges the challenges of balancing her career with raising her children, but she's determined to make amends.
These days, Cher is doing her best to reconnect with her grown-up kids—Chaz Bono, 52, and Elijah Blue Allman, 45. "She wasn't always there when they needed her, but age has really softened her," a close friend reveals to Closer. "Now she's making an effort to bring them closer by organizing dinners and even Zoom calls. It's a way for them to stay connected, even when they're miles apart."
Cher and Chaz, who was born Chastity and transitioned to a transgender man, have always had a dynamic relationship. "They still argue sometimes," the friend shares, "but that's just who they are. What's important is that Chaz has forgiven Cher for not being as supportive as he needed her to be when he first came out." In Becoming Chaz, Chaz opens up about the challenges of their relationship. "It hasn't been easy for my mom, but I respect her for standing up for me," he says. "She's become an incredible ally, and we're building a new kind of relationship—one that's based on mutual respect and understanding."
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Building Bridges with Elijah
Cher's bond with her younger son, Elijah, whose father is the late musician Gregg Allman, has also seen its share of ups and downs. "When you're sent off to boarding school at the age of seven, it's hard not to feel like you're being pushed away," Elijah reflects. "But now, as an adult, I'm learning to make peace with that. Sometimes, you just have to let go of the past and focus on the present." Cher and Elijah's relationship hit a rough patch when Cher didn't get along with Elijah's wife of six years, Marieangela King. However, when Elijah filed for divorce last November, Cher stepped up. "She told him she's always just a phone call away if he needs advice," the friend explains. "Their relationship has definitely improved since then."
A Mother's Regret and Resolve
No family is perfect, and Cher knows that better than anyone. But she's committed to becoming a more available and understanding mother to her children. "It's like what Katharine Hepburn once said: 'If you're going to do this job, don't have kids,'" Cher muses. "But I wanted kids, and I can't imagine my life without them. They've given me so much—more than I ever could have imagined." Cher's journey as a mother is one of growth and self-awareness, and she's proud of the progress she's made. "I'm not perfect, but I'm trying," she says with a smile.
— Reporting by Natalie Posner
