Salvatore Phillip "Sonny" Bono came into the world on February 16, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan. Over the course of his remarkable life, he would reinvent himself again and again—moving fluidly between the roles of songwriter, singer, actor, and politician. Whether captivating audiences as one half of the legendary Sonny & Cher or making waves in the halls of government, Bono carved out a legacy that spanned both entertainment and public service.
After his family relocated to Los Angeles during his childhood, Bono threw himself headlong into the music world with fierce determination. He took on odd jobs, penned songs, and tirelessly refined his abilities—all in pursuit of breaking into the industry he loved. That relentless drive eventually bore fruit in the early 1960s, when he landed the opportunity to work alongside the legendary producer Phil Spector, an experience that gave him an invaluable education in music production.
It was also during this period that Bono crossed paths with Cherilyn Sarkisian, who would later become famous simply as Cher. Together, they forged both a romantic and creative partnership that would catapult them into the spotlight. Their 1965 smash "I Got You Babe" turned Sonny & Cher into household names virtually overnight. The song became a defining anthem of the counterculture movement, demonstrating the duo's remarkable ability to resonate with listeners and establishing them as one of the most iconic musical acts of the 1960s. With Sonny's infectious songwriting paired with Cher's extraordinary vocal power, the two cultivated a fiercely loyal fan base.
Their success extended well beyond the recording studio. Throughout the 1970s, the couple starred in The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, a show built around their playful comedic exchanges and memorable musical numbers that only deepened their place in the cultural consciousness. Though their marriage came to an end in 1975, the professional legacy they built together made a permanent imprint on pop culture—and to this day, they remain widely regarded as a powerhouse duo.
When the 1980s rolled around, Bono pivoted in an unexpected direction: politics. His frustration with the bureaucratic obstacles he faced while attempting to open a restaurant in Palm Springs, California, motivated him to enter public life. He threw his hat in the ring and won the mayoral seat in Palm Springs in 1988, going on to serve for four years during which he breathed new life into the city's image.
His political ambitions didn't stop there. In 1994, Bono won election to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican. On Capitol Hill, he championed causes such as copyright reform and environmental preservation. His natural gift for connecting with people earned him deep affection among his constituents.
Tragedy struck on January 5, 1998, when Bono, 62 years old at the time, was killed in a skiing accident in California. His sudden passing sent shockwaves through the worlds of entertainment and politics alike, with fans, colleagues, and friends across the globe mourning his loss. Among them was Cher, who honored their enduring bond by delivering a deeply emotional eulogy at his funeral.