Sonny Bono

Date of Birth: February 16, 1935

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: January 5, 1998

Biography

Salvatore Phillip “Sonny” Bono was an American musician, singer, songwriter, producer, actor, and politician. Born on February 16, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan, Sonny Bono rose to fame in the mid-1960s as one half of the singing duo Sonny & Cher. He and his then-wife Cher became international stars with hits like “I Got You Babe” and “The Beat Goes On.” In the 1970s, Sonny & Cher hosted a popular television variety show, “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour,” which further solidified their celebrity status. After the duo’s breakup, Bono pursued a career in acting and later turned to politics. He served as the mayor of Palm Springs, California, from 1988 to 1992, and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994, representing California’s 44th district. Sonny Bono was known for his charisma, wit, and versatility across multiple career paths. Tragically, he died in a skiing accident on January 5, 1998, in South Lake Tahoe, California.

5 Interesting Facts about Sonny Bono

1. Sonny Bono had no formal musical training and taught himself to play various instruments.

2. He co-wrote “Needles and Pins,” a hit for The Searchers, which became a classic rock song.

3. Sonny Bono was instrumental in the establishment of the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

4. He was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998.

5. Bono’s transition from entertainment to politics was considered highly successful and unusual at the time.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sonny Bono

1. “The beat goes on.”

2. “I’m not a career politician. I just want to help the people of Palm Springs.”

3. “Cher and I are still good friends, we just don’t agree on anything.”

4. “I got you babe.”

5. “It’s really hard to say what the future holds.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Sonny Bono’s net worth was estimated to be around $15 million.

Children

Sonny Bono had four children. His children are: 1. Christy Bono (born in 1958) with his first wife, Donna Rankin. 2. Chaz Bono (born in 1969) with Cher. 3. Chesare Elan Bono (born in 1988) with his fourth wife, Mary Whitaker. 4. Chianna Maria Bono (born in 1991) with Mary Whitaker.