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Cher at 80: Facelift confession, toyboy boyfriend and 'immeasurable sadness'

In her ninth decade the pop legend is still one of the most enduring names in music today.

[Singer Cher turn 80 later this month]

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Singer Cher turn 80 later this month(Image: ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Its hard to imagine that Cher turns 80 next week, but as she enters her ninth decade, its fair to say the pop legend is still one of the most enduring names in music today.

Shes one of those rare stars who exists completely outside of age, brand and culture expert Nick Ede tells OK!. Shes never allowed herself to be defined by a number, trend or an era. Shes a movie star, a pop superstar, a rock chick and a fashion icon and shes totally ageless.

The Believe singer, who celebrates her big day on 20 May, has been entertaining the world since the 1960s, with a string of chart hits and an Oscar-winning film under her glittering belt.

Its a legacy thats certainly not lost on the star, and speaking about her remarkable longevity she has said, My life seems to be longer than any other human being ever. I feel like I should be in the Guinness World Records book for this. And Im still going!

Born Cheryl Sarkisian in California in 1946, she first shot to fame as one half of pop duo Sonny & Cher, alongside then-husband Sonny Bono.

Their breakthrough hit, I Got You Babe, topped the charts in 1965, and they later became TV favourites on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.

After she launched a solo career, smash hits included If I Could Turn Back Time in 1989 and Believe, which still stands as one of the bestselling singles of all time.

[Cher with her late ex-husband Sonny who made up the pop duo Sonny and Cher]

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Cher with her late ex-husband Sonny who made up the pop duo Sonny and Cher(Image: Mondadori via Getty Images)

[Cher discuss age gap with her toyboy boyfriend]

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Cher discuss age gap with her toyboy boyfriend(Image: Variety via Getty Images)

The 1998 track was credited with normalising the use of autotune in pop. My favourite thing was that you didnt know it was my voice at the beginning, she mused on the songs 25th anniversary in 2023.

Throughout her time in showbiz, Cher has repeatedly reinvented herself, becoming known for her flamboyant outfits. From her Bob Mackie naked dresses to all the sequins and feathers, Cher has made fashion theatrical, glamorous and fabulously bold, says

Nick. Shes continued dressing exactly how she wants at every stage of her life. Despite some stellar pop collaborations, including with Sir Elton John, Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa, Cher has frequently mocked her own music. I think Im a much better actress than singer, she once joked.

Her foray into movies began in the 1980s, when she starred in Silkwood, Mask, The Witches Of Eastwick and Moonstruck which won her the Best Actress Oscar.

On her night of glory in 1988, she famously quipped, I dont think that this means that I am somebody, but I guess Im on my way.

Later roles came in Mermaids, Burlesque and 2018 blockbuster Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, which saw her play Ruby, mum of Meryl Streeps character Donna. The idea that I was her mother was hysterical, she reflected.

[Cher and her two children Chaz Bono and Elijah]

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Cher and her two children Chaz Bono and Elijah(Image: Getty Images)

After so long in the spotlight, its perhaps unsurprising that her personal life has often been complicated. She and Sonny welcomed a son together Chaz Bono, now 57 and an actor but divorced in 1975 after 13 years together.

She claimed in her 2024 book Cher: The Memoir, Part One that he cheated on her, but just four days after the divorce was finalised, she married musician Gregg Allman.

They had a son, Elijah, now 49, but split soon after, primarily due to his substance abuse issues. In later years, Cher was linked to actors Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise, who she once called a shy boy and said ranked among her top five lovers.

Nowadays, she is in a relationship with music exec Alexander AE Edwards, who is 40 years her junior. Wedding rumours have been circling, and speaking on US show CBS Mornings last year, Cher hit back at critics of their age gap.

Whatever, she said. Theyre not living my life. Nobody knows what goes on between us, but we just have a blast. She also insisted Alexander has no problem with it, saying, He just says, You know, you get older, but your spirit is younger.

Explaining their connection, she added, We laugh all the time, you know? I just love him. I think hes beautiful. She also gets on with Alexanders son from a previous relationship with model Amber Rose, saying, Hes so funny. Hes so smart. Hes a delight.

While she was recently said to have been left speechless after discovering she is grandmother to a 15-year-old girl allegedly fathered by her son Elijah, Chers life has also been marked by loss.

Sonny died aged 62 in 1998 in a skiing accident, and in a moving eulogy at his funeral she called him an unforgettable character and the most special man Ive ever known.

In 2017, she was grief-stricken again when her ex Gregg died aged 69 after complications with liver cancer. Words are impossible, she wrote on social media. The sadness is immeasurable.

In a happier moment, Cher celebrated 60 years in music with compilation album Forever in September 2024 although she told the audience at Londons Lyceum Theatre, This is probably my last album that Im gonna do.

As for her secret to still looking good, Cher credits an intense fitness regime including zumba and yoga while she has never shied away from having tweakments.

Yes, Ive had a facelift, but who hasnt? she has admitted. Slamming the idea that cosmetic surgery is something to be ashamed of, she has also said, It makes me happy, and that its nobodys business but my own.

Nick adds, Cher has never pretended to wake up looking flawless without help. In an industry where so many stars dodge the conversation, shes been open about the work shes had done.

Her honesty is empowering, and in a world obsessed with telling women how to age, Chers answer has always been, Ill do it my way.

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