Cher Ordered To Pay Her Own Legal Fees After Winning Copyright Battle Against Sonny Bono’s Widow

Cher has been ordered to cover her own legal fees despite winning a long-running copyright dispute against Mary Bono, the widow of her late ex-husband and former music partner, Sonny Bono.

According to court documents obtained by People, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday, July 21, that the 80-year-old music icon must bear the attorney’s fees she incurred while successfully pursuing the lawsuit against Mary Bono.

Cher, born Cheryl Sarkisian, and Sonny Bono, whose real name was Salvatore Phillip Bono, were one of music’s most famous duos. The pair married in 1964, divorced in 1975, and later signed a 1978 settlement that entitled Cher to 50% of the royalties from their recordings together.

In October 2021, Cher sued Mary Bono, seeking $1 million in damages. She alleged that royalties from classic hits such as I Got You Babe and The Beat Goes On had been wrongfully withheld. Cher also argued that Mary had improperly attempted to use a provision of the Copyright Act of 1976 to terminate her royalty rights, despite the protections granted under the divorce agreement.

The legal battle ended in Cher’s favour in May 2024 when a California judge ruled that she was entitled to more than $418,000 in unpaid royalties.

Although Cher secured that victory, the latest court ruling means each side will now be responsible for paying its own legal costs, leaving the singer to cover her substantial attorney’s fees despite prevailing in the case.