Cher’s love life has drawn public attention for decades, and the singer has been open about the relationships that shaped it. As she approaches 80, the picture that emerges is less about scandal and more about a long string of romances that Cher has described with blunt honesty.
The “Believe” singer has said she has had “the greatest lovers ever,” and she has also made clear that not every encounter lived up to the hype. From an early hookup with Warren Beatty to later relationships with well-known actors, musicians, and producers, Cher’s own comments show a consistent pattern: strong attraction mattered, but chemistry did too.
An early romance that did not impress her
Cher’s first major sexual experience came at 16, when she had a one-night stand with Warren Beatty, who was 25 at the time. Despite Beatty’s star power, Cher later described the experience as “disappointing,” saying, “Not that he wasn’t technically good, or could be good, but I didn’t feel anything.”
A friend said Beatty would likely rank around 15th on Cher’s list of lovers. That account fits the way Cher has often spoken about intimacy as something more than technical ability alone.
Sonny Bono and the start of a defining chapter
Soon after that, Cher met Sonny Bono, who was 27. She said the moment was immediate, recalling, “I swear to God, the moment I saw Sonny, everyone else in the room disappeared.”
Their relationship became both romantic and professional, as they built a successful music partnership together. The two tied the knot unofficially in 1964 before making the marriage legal in 1969, and they welcomed their son Chaz Bono that same year.
The marriage ended in 1974 after a difficult breakup, but a friend still ranked Bono highly on Cher’s list, placing him at No. 3. That suggests the relationship left a lasting impression even after the personal fallout.
Gregg Allman and a lower ranking
Cher later married Gregg Allman, and the pair were together from 1975 to 1979. During that marriage, they had a son, Elijah Blue Allman.
By contrast with some of Cher’s other relationships, a friend said Allman’s “lover rating” was low, putting him at No. 10. That detail adds another layer to the way Cher’s private life has been discussed over the years, with emotional bonds and physical chemistry not always lining up the same way.
Val Kilmer and Cher’s top tier
Cher’s love life later took a turn toward what she has described as stronger chemistry, especially with Val Kilmer in the early ’80s. She once called him “a great kisser” and said, “My rule of thumb, and it’s never failed me, is if a man’s a good kisser, he’s a great f–k.”
A friend said Kilmer landed at No. 2 on her lover list. Cher also noted that the relationship could be intense, saying of him, “Val is terrific but sometimes it’s just too intense and hot.”
Other names followed over the years, including Tom Cruise, whom Cher described as shy and said was in her Top 5, along with Richie Sambora, Eric Clapton, Tim Medvetz, and Joshua Donen. The range of names reflects the breadth of Cher’s romantic history, which spans entertainers, musicians, and figures inside her wider circle.
The relationship she valued most
At the top of the list, according to a friend, was Rob Camilletti. He was described as “the love of her life” and also No. 1 on the lover list.
That framing matters because it suggests Cher has not treated her relationships as a simple scoreboard. Some were brief, some were marriages, and others were flings, but her comments point to a personal standard built around connection, attraction, and enjoyment.
Cher’s view of love and dating
More recently, Cher has dated music producer Alexander “A.E.” Edwards, whom she has described as kind, talented, funny, and handsome. She has also said the two “really get along great,” despite the age difference.
Her broader outlook has stayed consistent over time. “I love having boyfriends,” Cher said, adding, “A girl can wait for the right man to come along – but in the meantime, that doesn’t mean she can’t have a wonderful time with all the wrong ones.”
She also summed up her romantic history with a line that fits the rest of the story: “I had just the greatest lovers ever! Not a long list. It’s just a good list.”
