When we think about Cher, we imagine her big voice, bold style, and long career full of music, movies, and awards. She’s a true superstar. But behind her success, there’s a lesser-known story—one about her father, John Paul Sarkisian.
John Paul Sarkisian lived a very different life. He stayed away from the spotlight. He faced many personal problems and had a rocky relationship with his daughter, Cher. This article will help you understand who he was, where he came from, and why his story is important. Let’s take a closer look at the man behind the icon.
John Paul Sarkisian Quick Bio
| Full Name | John Paul Sarkisian |
| Known For | Father of Cher |
| Date of Birth | March 23, 1926 |
| Place of Birth | Oakland/Berkeley, California, USA |
| Date of Death | January 28, 1985 |
| Age at Death | 58 years |
| Place of Death | Fresno, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Armenian-American |
| Parents | George Sarkisian & Blanche Dilkian |
| Siblings | Lucy Mirgian, Roxanne Hopkins & several half-siblings |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Spouse | Georgia Holt (married twice) |
| Children | Cher (Cherilyn Sarkisian) |
| Jobs | Truck driver, bartender, mechanic, hairstylist, horse breeder |
Early Life of John Paul Sarkisian
John Paul Sarkisian was born on March 23, 1926, in Oakland, California. He grew up in a time when life was tough for many families, especially those from immigrant backgrounds. His parents had roots in Armenia, and they brought their culture with them when they came to the United States.
John was raised in a working-class household. His father, George Sarkisian, and mother, Blanche Dilkian, worked hard to support their family. They wanted a better future for their children, and they passed down strong traditions and values. John also had siblings and half-siblings from his mother’s second marriage.
Growing up, John saw both love and struggle in his home. These early experiences shaped how he would live his adult life.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Armenian Heritage and Family Background
John came from a proud Armenian-American family. His parents were part of a group that had faced many hardships in their home country. They moved to the U.S. for safety and a better life.
Even though John was born in California, his family made sure he understood their Armenian roots. They spoke the language, kept traditions alive, and stayed close to other Armenian families in the area. This background gave John a strong sense of identity.
But sometimes, having a strong cultural identity wasn’t enough to help someone succeed. John struggled to find stability in his life, even with family support.
What Did John Paul Sarkisian Do for a Living?
John Paul Sarkisian tried many jobs during his life. He worked as a truck driver, bartender, mechanic, hairstylist, and even a horse breeder. He also delivered produce. It seemed like he was always searching for something that would work out.
At one point, John’s father even bought him five trucks to help him start a small trucking business. It sounded like a good plan, but it didn’t last. The business failed, and John had to start over again.
Have you ever tried something with high hopes, only to watch it fall apart? That’s how John’s work life went. He kept moving from job to job, never really finding his place. This made life hard—not just for him, but for the people around him too.
How He Met Georgia Holt
John’s life changed when he met a young woman named Georgia Holt. Her real name was Jackie Jean Crouch, and she was just 18 years old at the time. She was working at a donut shop, trying to build her own life.
John was charming, confident, and good-looking. Georgia noticed him right away. Even though she said he had a “farmer’s attitude,” something about him caught her attention. They started dating, and their relationship moved quickly.
Sometimes, love comes fast and strong—but that doesn’t always mean it will last. Georgia soon found herself falling for John, and before long, they decided to get married.
The Birth of Cher
On June 22, 1945, John and Georgia got married in Reno, Nevada. Not long after that, Georgia became pregnant. On May 20, 1946, she gave birth to a baby girl named Cherilyn Sarkisian, who would later become the world-famous star known as Cher.
They were living in El Centro, California at the time. It should have been a happy moment for the family. But things didn’t go as planned. John and Georgia were already struggling with their relationship.
Even though their daughter’s birth brought some joy, it couldn’t fix the problems they were facing as a couple. Their life together was about to take a difficult turn.
Why John Paul Sarkisian and Georgia Holt’s Marriage Failed
After Cher was born, things got worse between John and Georgia. She began to notice mood swings and strange behavior from him. He wasn’t always kind, and his gentle side started to disappear.
Georgia tried to make the marriage work. She even gave it a few more months after thinking about leaving. But it was too much. In 1947, they divorced—just two years after getting married.
Years later, in 1965, John and Georgia remarried in Las Vegas. But the second try didn’t go well either. They divorced again in less than a year. Some relationships just aren’t meant to be, no matter how hard people try.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Relationship with Cher
Cher grew up mostly without her father. She didn’t meet him until she was 11 years old. One day, her mother asked, “Would you like to meet your dad?” Cher agreed, even though she didn’t know much about him.
When they met, Cher was curious. She noticed they looked a bit alike. But even though they tried to connect, it didn’t last. They spent about six months trying to build a bond, but it faded.
Cher later said she felt let down by him. His actions and choices made it hard to trust him. Their relationship never healed. She eventually made the decision to cut ties with him completely.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Dark Struggles and Legal Troubles
As the years went by, John Paul Sarkisian had more and more problems. He struggled with addiction, especially to pain medicine, which started after a health issue. He also got into gambling and had trouble staying out of trouble.
He was arrested a few times for bad checks and drug-related charges. These troubles hurt his chances of having a better life. They also made it harder for him to rebuild his connection with Cher.
Even though some people said John had a kind heart deep down, his problems often got in the way. His life was a cycle of hope, mistakes, and regret. It’s sad to see how someone can want to do better, but just keep falling back.
Why John Paul Sarkisian Sued His Own Daughter Cher
One of the most surprising parts of his life was when John Paul Sarkisian sued Cher. Yes, he took his own daughter to court.
In the 1970s, he filed a $4 million lawsuit against her. He said that Cher had said things in interviews that made him look bad. She had spoken about his past addiction and his time in jail. John felt this hurt his name and reputation.
The lawsuit didn’t just shock fans — it also showed how broken their relationship had become. Instead of healing the pain, it made things worse. From that point on, Cher decided to fully cut him off. They never spoke again after that.
How Did John Paul Sarkisian Die?
In his final years, John Paul Sarkisian lived a quiet life in Fresno, California. He stayed away from public attention and tried to live in peace. He worked as a horse breeder for a while and kept things low-key.
He passed away on January 28, 1985, at the age of 58. The cause of his death was never shared with the public. His death was not reported in big news stories, and very few people attended his funeral.
Cher did not go to the funeral. Their bond had been broken for years, and she chose not to reconnect, even at the end. It was a quiet goodbye to a man whose life had been full of struggles.
What We Learn from John Paul Sarkisian’s Life
The life of John Paul Sarkisian teaches us that family stories are not always happy. Sometimes, there is pain, loss, and missed chances. John made choices that pushed people away, including his own daughter.
But his story also reminds us that even people who struggle deeply still matter. John’s life shaped Cher in many ways. His absence made her stronger. His mistakes showed her what not to become. And even though he wasn’t close to her, he still gave her part of her identity — her Armenian roots, her name, and her story.
Behind every famous person, there is a personal past. And John Paul Sarkisian, even with all his troubles, will always be a part of Cher’s.
Final Thoughts
John Paul Sarkisian lived a life full of ups and downs. While his daughter became a global star, he stayed in the shadows — dealing with addiction, legal issues, and broken relationships. His story is not about fame, but about family, struggle, and the hard truth that not all stories have happy endings.
Still, his life mattered. It shaped Cher’s journey, both emotionally and culturally. And even though he was far from perfect, his name lives on through his daughter — and now, through the story we’ve just shared.
