Cher Ordered to Pay $1 Million in Legal Fees Following Royalties Dispute
Pop icon Cher has been ordered to pay more than $1 million in legal fees following a protracted royalties lawsuit against Mary Bono, the widow of her former husband and musical partner, Sonny Bono. While a judge ruled in May 2024 that Cher was entitled to over $418,000 in unpaid royalties related to their classic 1960s work, U.S. District Judge John A. Kronstadt denied the singer’s request to have her legal expenses reimbursed by the opposing party. The court determined that the dispute was rooted in contract law rather than federal copyright statutes, leaving the entertainer responsible for her own attorney costs.
Did you know? Cher and Sonny Bono were inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998, a ceremony both Cher and Mary Bono attended together, marking a period of relative cordiality between the two women before the legal conflict emerged.
The Legal Basis of the Royalties Conflict
The litigation began in October 2021 when Cher filed a lawsuit against Mary Bono, alleging that royalty payments from the Sonny & Cher catalog had been withheld. According to court records reviewed by USA TODAY, the complaint argued that Cher held a 50% claim over the rights to the duo’s music as part of her 1975 divorce settlement with Sonny Bono. Cher alleged that Mary Bono had effectively undone her ownership rights to those royalties. The court eventually sided with Cher regarding the unpaid funds, awarding her the $418,000 judgment, though Mary Bono is currently appealing that decision.
Contract Law vs. Copyright Statutes
The decision to deny Cher’s request for full legal fee reimbursement hinged on the classification of the litigation. Judge Kronstadt’s July 17 ruling clarified that because the conflict centered on the interpretation of private contracts rather than federal copyright law, the standard provisions for shifting attorney fees did not apply.
Reflecting on a Complex Legacy
Despite the high-stakes courtroom tension, Cher has spoken publicly about the enduring, complicated bond she shared with her former husband. In a November 2024 interview with USA TODAY, the singer described her relationship with Sonny Bono as a form of “hero worship,” even while acknowledging the financial and personal volatility of their marriage. The two remained artistic collaborators until their personal and professional split in the mid-1970s. Sonny Bono later transitioned into a political career, serving as a mayor and congressman before his death in a 1998 skiing accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Cher ordered to pay $1 million in legal fees?
The court ruled that the lawsuit was a matter of contract law. Because the case did not fall under federal copyright provisions that allow for fee-shifting, the judge ordered Cher to cover her own legal expenses despite her victory in the royalties portion of the case.
What was the outcome of the royalties lawsuit?
In May 2024, a judge determined that Cher was entitled to over $418,000 in unpaid royalties. However, Mary Bono is currently appealing this decision.
What was the relationship between Cher and Mary Bono?
The two women previously maintained a cordial relationship. In 2012, Mary Bono joined Cher onstage at the GLAAD Media Awards to honor Chaz Bono, the son of Cher and Sonny, for his LGBTQ advocacy work.
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