John Paul Sarkisian: The Untold Story of Cher’s Father and His Complex Legacy

Have you ever wondered about the man behind one of music’s biggest icons? John Paul Sarkisian might not be a household name, but his life story and connection to his famous daughter Cher offer a fascinating glimpse into family dynamics, cultural heritage, and the complex nature of fame.

In this deep dive, we’ll explore the life and legacy of John Paul Sarkisian – from his Armenian roots and early struggles to his complicated relationship with Cher and the lasting impact he made, despite often being in the shadows of his daughter’s stardom.

The Enigmatic John Paul Sarkisian: An Introduction

John Paul Sarkisian was born on March 23, 1926, in Oakland, California, to Armenian immigrant parents. While many know him simply as “Cher’s father,” his life story reveals a man whose journey was shaped by his cultural background, personal struggles, and the complex family dynamics that would later become part of pop culture history.

His significance extends beyond his connection to celebrity. Sarkisian represents the Armenian-American immigrant experience during a pivotal time in American history. Growing up during the Great Depression, his early life was marked by the challenges faced by many immigrant families trying to establish themselves in a new country.

Though he wasn’t in the spotlight himself, Sarkisian’s influence on pop culture came through his daughter, whose Armenian heritage (passed down from him) became an important part of her identity and public persona.

His story also touches on themes many families face – absent parents, reconciliation attempts, addiction struggles, and the quest for connection across generational divides.

Early Life and Background

Born to Armenian immigrant parents in California, John Paul Sarkisian entered a world where his cultural heritage would play a significant role in shaping his identity. His family was part of the Armenian diaspora that had come to America seeking new opportunities and escaping the shadows of the Armenian Genocide.

Growing up during the Great Depression, young John faced economic hardships that would influence his perspective and later choices. This period of American history was particularly difficult for immigrant families trying to establish themselves while maintaining their cultural traditions.

John had several siblings, including sisters Louise and Elizabeth. Family dynamics in immigrant households often involved balancing American assimilation with cultural preservation – a challenge the Sarkisian family navigated together.

The cultural identity passed down through the Sarkisian family would later become an important aspect of Cher’s public persona, though John’s direct influence in her upbringing would be limited.

Little is documented about his formal education, but like many children of immigrants during this era, he likely balanced schooling with contributing to the family’s economic survival.

The Sarkisian-Holt Union

John Paul Sarkisian’s life took a significant turn when he met Jackie Jean Crouch, who would later be known as Georgia Holt. Their meeting at a donut shop where Georgia worked marked the beginning of a relationship that would eventually link Sarkisian to music history.

Georgia, only 18 at the time, was captivated by John’s suave looks and flamboyant personality, despite what was described as his “farmer’s attitude.” The couple married in Reno, Nevada, on June 22, 1945, beginning a union that would be remembered more for its brevity than its stability.

Shortly after their marriage, Georgia began noticing concerning changes in John’s behavior, including mood swings and a loss of gentleness that had initially drawn her to him. Despite her desire to leave the marriage, John convinced her to stay with him for three more months.

The couple relocated to El Centro, California, where Georgia became pregnant with their daughter. On May 20, 1946, they welcomed Cherilyn Sarkisian into the world – the girl who would later become known simply as “Cher.”

Unfortunately, the relationship between John and Georgia continued to deteriorate, and they divorced in 1947, just one year after Cher’s birth. This split would set the stage for John’s sporadic presence in his daughter’s early life.

Career and Entrepreneurial Ventures

Throughout his life, John Paul Sarkisian worked in various occupations, showing an entrepreneurial spirit despite facing numerous challenges. His career path wasn’t linear but rather a series of different ventures and attempts to establish himself professionally.

At different points, Sarkisian worked as a truck driver, bartender, auto mechanic, and hairstylist. This variety of occupations suggests both versatility and perhaps difficulty finding stable, long-term employment – not uncommon for many Americans during mid-century economic fluctuations.

One potential turning point came when John’s father purchased five trucks, hoping to help his son start his own business. Unfortunately, this venture didn’t succeed as planned, becoming one of several business attempts that didn’t reach their full potential.

Later in life, Sarkisian became involved in horse breeding, showing continued entrepreneurial interests despite earlier setbacks. This occupation represented one of his more stable professional endeavors.

While his professional accomplishments may not have been remarkable in the traditional sense, his work ethic and determination to provide for himself through various means reflected the immigrant values of perseverance and adaptability.

Relationship with Cher

Perhaps the most documented aspect of John Paul Sarkisian’s life is his complicated relationship with his famous daughter. Following his divorce from Georgia Holt in 1947, John was largely absent during Cher’s early childhood years.

Cher met her father for the first time when she was 11 years old, by which time he had already faced legal troubles related to his addiction issues. This late introduction established a pattern of sporadic contact that would characterize their relationship throughout Cher’s life.

When John remarried Georgia on December 15, 1965, Cher initially felt hopeful about finally having both parents in her life. However, this period of family reunification was short-lived, lasting only about six months before John reverted to what was described as “self-destructive behavior.”

The father-daughter relationship was marked by periods of attempted reconciliation followed by disappointment and distance. Despite these challenges, Georgia Holt believed that John had a significant influence on Cher’s life, noting similarities between Cher’s husband Sonny Bono and her father in terms of physical build and personality traits.

One particularly painful incident involved a photograph taken of John with Cher and her daughter. John later sold this photograph to a rug dealer to prove his relationship with Cher and to cover a bad check, an action that deeply hurt Cher and led to her vowing to cut contact with him.

Personal Struggles

John Paul Sarkisian’s life was significantly impacted by his battles with addiction, which affected not only his personal well-being but also his relationships, particularly with his daughter Cher. His struggles with gambling and heroin addiction created instability in his life and contributed to the difficulties in maintaining family connections.

These addiction issues led to legal troubles, including imprisonment for drug-related offenses and bad-check violations. While John later claimed to have become addicted to pain medication after suffering a medical condition, the consequences of his substance abuse created ripple effects throughout his life.

The cycle of addiction often interfered with his attempts to rebuild relationships with family members. When he did reenter Cher’s life, his struggles frequently led to disappointment and further estrangement, establishing a pattern that would continue throughout their relationship.

In later years, John claimed to have led an “exemplary, pious, and noble life” for some time before his passing, suggesting possible recovery from his earlier struggles. However, the damage to family relationships had already been done.

These personal battles reflect the devastating impact addiction can have on families – creating absences, broken trust, and missed opportunities for connection that sometimes can never be fully repaired.

The Infamous Lawsuit

One of the most public aspects of the strained relationship between John Paul Sarkisian and Cher was the $4 million defamation lawsuit he filed against his daughter and two tabloids. This legal action marked a breaking point in their already complicated relationship.

John claimed that statements attributed to Cher regarding his past struggles with gambling and heroin addiction were damaging to his reputation. While he acknowledged some of his past legal issues, including imprisonment for drugs and bad-check violations, he felt that public discussions of these matters were harmful to his current standing.

At the time of the lawsuit, John asserted that he had been living an “exemplary, pious, and noble life” for several years. He explained that his previous addiction issues stemmed from pain medication prescribed for a medical condition, attempting to provide context for his past behaviors.

The lawsuit highlighted the deep divide between father and daughter, with John even making disparaging remarks about Cher’s career, claiming that she would not have been successful without Sonny Bono. These comments likely further damaged any possibility of reconciliation.

This public legal battle became emblematic of their fractured relationship, playing out in the media and cementing the narrative of estrangement that would follow them through the remainder of John’s life.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

While John Paul Sarkisian may not have achieved personal fame, his Armenian heritage became an important part of his daughter’s identity and, by extension, part of American pop culture. Cher has often expressed pride in her Armenian roots, carrying forward this cultural legacy despite the complicated relationship with her father.

The Sarkisian family story reflects broader themes of the Armenian-American immigrant experience – the challenges of assimilation, the preservation of cultural identity, and the generational impacts of displacement. Through Cher, elements of this cultural heritage reached a global audience.

John’s absence and the complex dynamics of the Sarkisian-Holt family also influenced Cher’s perspectives and possibly her artistic expression. Family experiences often shape creative individuals, and the emotional landscape of Cher’s childhood, including her father’s sporadic presence, may have contributed to the resilience and independence she became known for.

Despite their troubled relationship, Georgia Holt maintained that John had a significant influence on Cher’s life choices, particularly in her relationship with Sonny Bono. She observed similarities between the two men and suggested that Cher’s attraction to Sonny, who was 12 years her senior, stemmed partly from seeking a father figure.

In this way, John’s legacy lives on not just through direct genetic inheritance but through the ripple effects of his presence and absence in family dynamics that shaped one of the most iconic figures in entertainment history.

Final Years and Passing

John Paul Sarkisian spent his later years in Fresno, California, away from the spotlight that followed his famous daughter. His life remained relatively private during this period, with little public information about his activities or well-being.

On January 28, 1985, John passed away at the age of 58 due to a heart attack. He was laid to rest at Fresno Memorial Gardens in Fresno, California, bringing a close to a life marked by both struggle and resilience.

At the time of his death, John had no children other than Cher. While his relationship with his daughter remained strained until the end, his passing marked the final chapter in their complicated story.

Among his siblings, John appears to have been the youngest to pass away. His sister Roxanne lived until 2019, reaching the age of 95, while Elizabeth died in 2007 at 88. Most remarkably, his sister Lucy lived to the extraordinary age of 114, passing away in 2021.

Cher’s response to her father’s death was reportedly measured, reflecting the emotional distance that had characterized their relationship. However, the impact of his life, both through his presence and absence, would continue to be part of her story.

Remembering John Paul Sarkisian: A Complex Legacy

John Paul Sarkisian’s life story extends far beyond his identity as “Cher’s father.” His journey represents the complex intersection of immigrant experience, personal struggle, family dynamics, and indirect cultural impact through his famous daughter.

While he may not have achieved the fame or success that his daughter did, John’s life offers valuable lessons about resilience in the face of addiction, the long-lasting impacts of parental presence and absence, and the ways cultural heritage can transcend generations even when direct relationships are strained.

His story reminds us that behind every celebrity is a family tree with its own complicated history. The Armenian roots that John passed to Cher became an important part of her identity, showing how cultural heritage can persist and find expression even through challenging family circumstances.

For those interested in celebrity histories, immigrant narratives, or the impacts of addiction on families, John Paul Sarkisian’s story provides a thought-provoking case study. It shows how one person’s life can influence popular culture indirectly, through the ripple effects of family relationships and shared heritage.

While John and Cher’s relationship never found lasting reconciliation, the connections between them – genetic, cultural, and emotional – remain part of the rich tapestry of American entertainment history and the Armenian-American experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About John Paul Sarkisian

When was John Paul Sarkisian born? John Paul Sarkisian was born on March 23, 1926, in Oakland, California.

What was John Paul Sarkisian’s ethnic background? He was Armenian-American, born to Armenian immigrant parents.

How long was John Paul Sarkisian married to Georgia Holt? Their first marriage lasted from 1945 to 1947. They remarried briefly in 1965 but separated again after about six months.

What occupations did John Paul Sarkisian have? Throughout his life, he worked as a truck driver, bartender, auto mechanic, hairstylist, and horse breeder.

When did Cher first meet her father? Cher met John Paul Sarkisian for the first time when she was 11 years old.

What were John Paul Sarkisian’s main personal struggles? He battled with gambling and heroin addiction, which led to legal troubles and strained family relationships.

Did John Paul Sarkisian have other children besides Cher? No, Cher was his only child.

When did John Paul Sarkisian pass away? He died on January 28, 1985, at the age of 58 due to a heart attack.

Where is John Paul Sarkisian buried? He was laid to rest at Fresno Memorial Gardens in Fresno, California.

What was the lawsuit between John Paul Sarkisian and Cher about? He filed a $4 million defamation lawsuit against Cher and two tabloids over statements attributed to her regarding his past addiction issues, which he felt damaged his reputation.