Who is John Paul Sarkisian? His Life, Family, Networth and Story as Cher’s Father
John Paul Sarkisian was an Armenian-American man best known as the father of music legend Cher. Born in California during the 1920s, his life was very different from his daughter’s fame and success. While Cher became one of the biggest stars in the world, her father lived a quiet life working regular jobs and facing personal struggles. His story shows us the roots of one of pop culture’s most famous families.
Detailed Bio Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Paul Sarkisian |
| Date of Birth | March 23, 1926 |
| Place of Birth | Oakland, California, USA |
| Date of Death | January 28, 1985 |
| Place of Death | Fresno, California, USA |
| Age at Death | 58 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Armenian-American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Occupation | Truck driver, bartender, hairstylist |
| Father | Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian |
| Mother | Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian |
| Spouse | Georgia Holt (married twice: 1945-1947, 1965-1966) |
| Children | Cherilyn Sarkisian (Cher) |
| Famous For | Being Cher’s father |
| Net Worth | Not publicly known (modest income) |
Early Life and Family Background
John Paul Sarkisian came into this world on March 23, 1926, in Oakland, California. His parents were immigrants from Armenia who had escaped difficult times in their homeland. His father, Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian, and his mother, Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian, moved to America looking for a better life and safety for their family.
Growing up during the Great Depression made life hard for young John and his family. Money was tight, and everyone had to work hard just to get by. Despite these challenges, his family kept their Armenian culture alive and stayed close to their community.
John Paul Sarkisian grew up with his siblings Lucy Sarkisian Mirgian and Roxanne Sarkisian Hopkins. He also had half-siblings from his mother’s previous relationships. The Armenian community in California was small but strong, and they supported each other through difficult times.
Work and Career
Throughout his life, John worked various jobs including truck driver, bartender, auto mechanic, and hairstylist. His main job was driving trucks, which meant spending long hours on the road delivering goods to different places. This was important work that helped people get the things they needed.
His father tried to help him start his own business by buying five trucks for him. The family moved to El Centro, California, hoping this new business would succeed. Unfortunately, things did not work out as planned, and John continued working regular jobs to support himself.
Unlike his daughter who became famous worldwide, John lived a simple working-class life. He never sought attention or tried to become well-known, even after Cher became a superstar.
Marriage to Georgia Holt
John Paul Sarkisian married Georgia Holt on June 22, 1945, in Reno, Nevada. Georgia was a talented woman who worked as a model, actress, and singer. Their relationship was difficult from the start, filled with ups and downs that made life hard for both of them.
The couple had their daughter, Cherilyn Sarkisian (now known as Cher), on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California. Sadly, their marriage ended in divorce in 1947, when Cher was still a baby. Georgia found herself raising her daughter alone and worked as a saloon singer to earn money.
What made their story unusual was that John and Georgia tried again years later. They remarried on December 15, 1965, giving their relationship another chance. However, this second marriage also ended quickly in divorce. Their on-and-off relationship showed how complicated their feelings for each other were.
Relationship with Cher
The relationship between John and his daughter Cher was complicated and often sad. Cher first met her father when she was 11 years old. By that time, John had already spent time in prison because of problems with substance abuse. When Cher was only eight years old, she learned about her father through a news report about his arrest.
When John and Georgia remarried in 1965, Cher was initially happy. She finally had both a mother and a father living together. But this happiness did not last long. John returned to his old patterns and self-destructive behavior. After about six months, Cher decided to cut ties with her father completely.
In interviews over the years, Cher has spoken honestly about her father. She explained that he was mostly absent from her life, and when he was present, he often caused problems. Their relationship never truly healed, and they remained distant until his death.
Personal Struggles
John Paul Sarkisian faced many personal challenges throughout his life. He struggled with addiction problems that affected his relationships and his ability to stay close to his family. These struggles also led to legal troubles and time spent in prison.
His problems with gambling also made his financial situation worse. Even though he worked hard at different jobs, he could not build a stable life for himself. These difficulties explain why he could not be a steady father figure for Cher during her childhood.
Despite these struggles, people who knew John described him as a person with natural charm and confidence. However, his addictions and impulsive choices often damaged the relationships he tried to build.
Armenian Heritage
Being Armenian was an important part of John’s identity. Both his parents emigrated from Turkey, where they were registered as Armenian. His grandparents and great-grandparents were also Armenian, making this heritage a strong part of his family history.
The Armenian community valued tradition, hard work, and taking care of family. Even though John struggled in his personal life, his Armenian background remained part of who he was. Through Cher, this heritage continues to be part of her identity, even though she does not often speak about it publicly.
Later Years and Death
John Paul Sarkisian passed away on January 28, 1985, in Fresno, California, at the age of 58. The exact reason for his death was never made public. Reports say that Cher was with him during his final days, suggesting that despite their difficult relationship, she was there when he needed her most.
He was buried in Fresno Memorial Gardens in Fresno, California. Unlike the grand funerals of celebrities, John’s passing was quiet and private. There were no big news stories or public memorials.
Net Worth and Financial Legacy
There is no official record of John Paul Sarkisian’s net worth, as he lived a modest and often unstable life. As a truck driver and someone who worked various blue-collar jobs, his earnings were never large. He did not build wealth or leave behind valuable assets.
His financial struggles stand in sharp contrast to his daughter’s success. Cher became one of the best-selling music artists of all time, earning millions of dollars and achieving worldwide fame. The difference between father and daughter shows how much can change from one generation to the next.
Conclusion
John Paul Sarkisian lived a life very different from his famous daughter’s world of music and Hollywood. Born to Armenian immigrant parents, he worked hard at regular jobs but faced personal problems that kept him from being close to his family. His relationship with Cher was complicated and mostly distant, yet his story remains an important part of understanding where one of the world’s biggest stars came from. While he may not have achieved wealth or fame himself, John’s life shows us the real struggles many families face and reminds us that every success story has roots in ordinary lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was John Paul Sarkisian?
John Paul Sarkisian was an Armenian-American truck driver born in 1926 in California. He is best known as the father of famous singer and actress Cher. He lived a quiet life working various jobs and passed away in 1985 at age 58.
2. What was John Paul Sarkisian’s relationship with Cher like?
Their relationship was very difficult and mostly distant. Cher first met her father when she was 11 years old. After her parents remarried when she was 19, she briefly had hope for a family, but John’s personal struggles led Cher to cut ties with him after about six months.
3. How many times was John Paul Sarkisian married?
John Paul Sarkisian was married to Georgia Holt (Cher’s mother) twice. They first married in 1945 and divorced in 1947. They tried again and remarried in 1965, but this marriage also ended in divorce in 1966.
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