John Paul Sarkisian was the father of the famous singer and actress Cher. He had a life full of challenges and a rich cultural background. He was an Armenian-American, and his heritage influenced everything he did, including the many different jobs he had over his life—like being a truck driver, bartender, and hairstylist. He was born to Armenian-Turkish parents, and the difficulties he faced affected how he raised Cher. Even though he wasn’t always there for her, he still had an impact on her life, helping to make her the strong person she is today.
Sarkisian’s life had many ups and downs, and he struggled with personal problems like drug addiction and gambling.
Early Life and Background
John Paul Sarkisian was born on March 23, 1926, in Oakland, California, to Armenian-Turkish parents. Growing up in an Armenian-American community gave him a strong sense of his culture, but it also made life hard as he tried to fit into American society. His parents had survived the Armenian Genocide, and their experiences had a deep impact on him. The Armenian community in Oakland was very close, and everyone shared stories of hardship, which helped Sarkisian develop resilience and perseverance from an early age.
Family Dynamics
Not much is known about Sarkisian’s siblings, but his family was deeply influenced by their immigrant background. The Armenian-Turkish community helped provide a sense of belonging, but it also required a lot of hard work to survive in a new country. Sarkisian grew up in tough financial times, so he had to work from a young age to help support his family. His father worked physically demanding jobs, and his mother managed the household with very few resources. Because of this, Sarkisian learned to be resourceful and was willing to take on many different jobs to help his family. However, it also meant that he grew up quickly, taking on responsibilities that other kids his age didn’t have to worry about.
Career Endeavors
Throughout his life, John Paul Sarkisian worked in many different fields. He was a bartender, an auto mechanic, a hairstylist, and even a seasonal produce delivery driver. These jobs showed his ability to adapt and learn new skills, even though he didn’t have much stability in his career. Sarkisian’s work history reflected the hard times many immigrants faced, especially those trying to build a new life in America. Each job came with new challenges and new people, and he was determined to do whatever he could to support himself and his family. However, changing jobs all the time made it difficult for him to have a stable family life, which added to the problems he faced in his relationships.
Entrepreneurial Attempts
Sarkisian also tried to start his own business by managing a small fleet of five trucks. But running a business was not easy, and he faced many challenges like financial instability, gambling, and drug addiction. Even though he wasn’t successful, Sarkisian never stopped trying to improve his situation. His desire to create something stable showed his determination, but the challenges he faced—like a lack of money, addiction, and economic difficulties—often got in the way. The trucking business needed careful management and money, both of which were hard for Sarkisian to get. Running a business while dealing with personal issues made things even harder, and eventually, his attempts at entrepreneurship failed.
Marriage to Georgia Holt
On June 22, 1945, John Paul Sarkisian married Georgia Holt (whose real name was Jackie Jean Crouch) in Reno, Nevada. Georgia was a singer, actress, and model, and their marriage brought together two very different cultural backgrounds. Georgia was born in Arkansas and had a different upbringing, which often led to misunderstandings about Sarkisian’s Armenian culture. Their relationship was passionate but also very unstable because they had different personalities and views of the world.
Marital Challenges
Their marriage was filled with arguments and emotional difficulties. Sarkisian’s mood swings, along with his gambling and drug problems, made life very hard for Georgia. The cultural differences between them added even more tension, as Georgia often struggled to understand Sarkisian’s background and the weight of his family’s history. Despite their problems, they had a daughter named Cherilyn Sarkisian, who was born on May 20, 1946. For a short time, Cher’s birth brought happiness to the couple, but soon the issues in their marriage resurfaced. The stress of trying to support the family, along with Sarkisian’s problems, led to the breakdown of their marriage. They divorced not long after Cher was born, and Georgia was left to raise Cher on her own. Georgia often talked about how hard it was to be a single mother, especially since she struggled financially after the divorce.
Fatherhood and Relationship with Cher
Cher was born on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California. Her birth brought happiness to both her parents, but the relationship between John Paul Sarkisian and his daughter would be complicated and distant. Sarkisian was proud of his daughter, but his struggles often prevented him from being the father he wanted to be.
Absence and Impact
Sarkisian was not around much when Cher was growing up, which had a big effect on their relationship. Without her father around, Cher had to rely on her mother, Georgia, for emotional and financial support. Because her father was absent, Cher often felt abandoned, and she talked about these feelings in interviews and in her memoirs. Even though he wasn’t there for her, Sarkisian still influenced Cher. She learned how to be strong and take care of herself, which became a big part of her personality and career. Cher described her childhood as difficult, but these tough times helped her develop independence and determination. Sarkisian’s absence meant that Cher had to face many challenges alone, which created an emotional distance between them that lasted into her adult years. Despite all this, Cher stayed curious about her father and wanted to understand his struggles.
The emotional pain from not having her father around also affected Cher’s future relationships, like her difficult relationship with her husband and musical partner, Sonny Bono. Sarkisian’s absence left Cher with a complex understanding of fathers, and she often struggled with feelings of being abandoned and mistrust.
Legal Disputes with Cher
In his later years, Sarkisian’s relationship with Cher became even more strained because of legal disputes. He filed a $4 million defamation lawsuit against Cher and two tabloids for statements they made about him. The lawsuit got a lot of public attention and made their relationship even more fragile. Sarkisian felt that his character was unfairly attacked, and he wanted to clear his name. However, the lawsuit only pushed him further away from his daughter, who felt betrayed by his actions. The public nature of the lawsuit added more hurt, making it even harder for them to reconcile.
Admissions and Reformation
During these legal disputes, Sarkisian admitted to his troubled past, including his issues with drug addiction. He claimed that he had changed, but it was very hard for him to fix his relationship with Cher because the hurt ran deep. Sarkisian’s attempts to change were genuine, but the damage to their relationship had already been done. The lawsuit showed just how complicated their relationship was and the emotional challenges both of them faced. Cher, who built her career on strength and resilience, found it hard to see her father as someone who wanted redemption. The distance between them remained, even though Sarkisian tried to make things right.
Later Years and Death
After separating from Georgia Holt, Sarkisian remarried and had more children, but not much is known about this part of his life. He tried to rebuild his life and create new family connections, but his earlier choices made it difficult for him to find stability. His struggles with addiction continued to affect his relationships, and even though he tried to be a better father to his other children, his past mistakes were hard to overcome. Sarkisian spent his later years trying to find peace, but the problems from earlier in his life were always there.
Passing
John Paul Sarkisian died on January 28, 1985, in Fresno County, California, at the age of 58. He was buried in Fresno Memorial Gardens. His death marked the end of a life filled with both hopes and struggles. Even though he had many flaws, Sarkisian’s life left a lasting impression on those who knew him, especially Cher. His death brought a sense of closure to a difficult chapter in Cher’s life, even though the emotional scars remained. His passing also ended any chances he had to reconnect with Cher and find redemption for his past actions.
Influence on Cher’s Life
Georgia Holt often spoke about how John Paul Sarkisian influenced Cher. She said that Cher’s complex relationship with her father affected her relationships later in life, especially with Sonny Bono, her musical partner and husband. Georgia saw similarities between Sarkisian and Bono, both of whom played big roles in Cher’s life. Sarkisian’s absence left Cher wanting stability, which she looked for in her relationship with Bono. But just like her father, Bono also had a strong personality, and their relationship had its own difficulties.
Legacy Reflection
Despite all the challenges, Sarkisian’s life influenced Cher in many ways. His absence and struggles helped Cher become strong and independent, which were important traits for her success. His Armenian heritage also gave Cher a sense of cultural pride, which she embraced throughout her life. Sarkisian’s story, filled with mistakes and attempts to make things right, helped Cher understand human flaws, and she often expressed this understanding in her music and public persona. The lessons Cher learned from her father—like being self-reliant, understanding the impact of choices, and dealing with complex relationships—shaped her as both an artist and a person. Cher’s career, marked by her ability to reinvent herself and stay strong, can be seen as a response to the instability she experienced growing up. Even though Sarkisian’s legacy was complicated, it played a big role in shaping the woman Cher would become.
Sarkisian’s Armenian heritage also influenced Cher’s cultural identity. She has often talked about how proud she is of her Armenian roots, something that came from her father’s family history. This cultural connection shaped how she saw the world, and she carried forward the experiences of the Armenian community. The struggles her father faced as an immigrant also shaped Cher’s view of resilience and survival.
Conclusion
John Paul Sarkisian’s life was anything but simple. His Armenian-Turkish heritage, different career paths, troubled marriage to Georgia Holt, and complicated relationship with his daughter Cher show a man struggling to find his place in the world. Even though he made mistakes and faced many challenges, Sarkisian’s life played a big role in Cher’s journey, both personally and professionally. His legacy is a reminder of the powerful impact that even a flawed parent can have on a child’s life. From cultural pride to lessons in resilience, John Paul Sarkisian’s influence on Cher shows that the bond between parent and child can endure, even when it is difficult or strained. His story is one of human imperfection, the fight for redemption, and the lasting effects of family on personal growth. Sarkisian’s life reminds us that, even in hard times, the connections we make—no matter how flawed—can leave a deep impact on those we leave behind.
The generational trauma experienced by the Armenian community, including Sarkisian’s family, had a lasting effect on him and his children. Cher’s resilience and her ability to reinvent herself are partly reflections of her father’s attempts to survive and reinvent his life. The family drama, filled with estrangement, reconciliation attempts, and challenges, all played out in Cher’s life and were influenced by her father’s difficult past. Despite their estranged relationship, Sarkisian’s bond with Cher and his legacy stayed with her, helping shape her identity as a public figure and as an individual. This ultimately contributed to her place in pop culture as a symbol of strength, survival, and transformation.
FAQs
What were John Paul Sarkisian’s contributions to the Armenian-American community?
The text does not explicitly mention any significant contributions Sarkisian made to the Armenian-American community as a whole. However, his Armenian heritage was a key part of his identity, and he passed on his cultural pride to his daughter Cher, which helped her stay connected to her roots.
How did John Paul Sarkisian’s upbringing influence his parenting style?
Sarkisian’s upbringing, shaped by his immigrant parents and the challenges they faced, influenced his resilience and adaptability. However, the hardships he experienced, like financial instability and the pressures of assimilation, seemed to have contributed to his struggles with maintaining a steady presence in Cher’s life. His experiences led to an unstable parenting style, marked by his absence during Cher’s formative years.
What were the significant cultural practices John Paul Sarkisian passed down to Cher?
Sarkisian passed down his Armenian heritage to Cher, which influenced her cultural identity. Though he was often absent, Cher expressed pride in her Armenian roots, which she embraced throughout her career.
How did John Paul Sarkisian’s relationship with his siblings shape his life?
The text does not provide specific details about Sarkisian’s relationship with his siblings. However, it mentions that his family background and immigrant experience played an important role in shaping his early life and contributed to his resilience.
What were the major controversies surrounding John Paul Sarkisian’s legal issues?
The major controversy in Sarkisian’s later life was the $4 million defamation lawsuit he filed against Cher and two tabloids for damaging statements about him. This legal dispute drew public attention and highlighted their strained relationship. Sarkisian admitted to past mistakes, such as drug offenses, but sought to change and reconnect with Cher, which unfortunately came too late to heal their bond fully. The negative publicity from these legal issues further complicated his attempts to reconcile with Cher.
