John Paul Sarkisian was the biological father of legendary singer and actress Cher, although he remained a largely unknown and complicated figure in her life. While Cher became one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers, her father lived a much quieter life away from Hollywood. He worked various jobs, faced personal struggles, and had a distant relationship with his famous daughter.This article explores John Paul Sarkisian’s early life, Armenian family background, career, marriages, relationship with Cher, personal struggles, financial situation, and legacy. His story also helps explain an important part of Cher’s family history.
John Paul Sarkisian Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | John Paul Sarkisian |
| Born | March 23, 1926 |
| Birthplace | Oakland, California, USA |
| Died | January 28, 1985 |
| Place of Death | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Age at Death | 58 years old |
| Ethnicity | Armenian-American |
| Parents | Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian and Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian |
| Spouse | Georgia Holt (m. 1945; div. 1947) and (m. 1965; div. 1966) |
| Children | Cher (daughter, born 1946) |
| Occupation(s) | Truck driver, bartender, auto mechanic, horse breeder |
| Known For | Being the biological father of Cher |
| Siblings | Three older sisters and several half-siblings |
| Personal Struggles | Addiction and gambling problems |
| Relationship with Cher | Distant; met her at age 11; reconciled before his death |
Early Life and Armenian Family Background
John Paul Sarkisian was born on March 23, 1926, in Oakland, California, to Armenian-American parents who had survived the Armenian Genocide.
His parents were Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian and Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian, immigrants who came to the United States after escaping the difficult circumstances surrounding their homeland. John grew up in a family that maintained strong connections to its Armenian heritage.His family lived in different parts of California, including Modesto, Fresno, and Oakland. Growing up during the Great Depression was challenging, and the family experienced financial difficulties. However, John’s upbringing was shaped by family ties, resilience, and Armenian cultural traditions.
What Did John Paul Sarkisian Do for a Living?
John Paul Sarkisian worked in several different occupations, but he was best known for working as a truck driver.
Over the years, he also worked as a bartender, auto mechanic, hairstylist, and horse breeder. His father reportedly bought five trucks to help him establish a trucking business and create a stable career. Despite having experience in several trades, John struggled to maintain a consistent professional life. His personal problems, including addiction and gambling, affected his ability to build long-term stability. His career therefore became closely connected with the difficulties he faced in his personal life.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Marriage to Georgia Holt
John Paul Sarkisian married Jackie Jean Crouch, later known as Georgia Holt, on June 22, 1945, in Reno, Nevada.
The couple welcomed their daughter, Cherilyn Sarkisian, on May 20, 1946. Their first marriage ended in divorce in 1947, when Cher was still a baby. John and Georgia later reunited and married again in Las Vegas in 1965. However, their second marriage also ended in divorce in September 1966. Their complicated relationship was an important part of Cher’s early family history.
Who Is Georgia Holt?
Georgia Holt was an American actress, singer, and model who became best known as Cher’s mother.
She was born Jackie Jean Crouch on June 9, 1926, in Kensett, Arkansas. Her childhood was difficult, but she later pursued opportunities in entertainment. Georgia married several times during her life, and John Paul Sarkisian was reportedly her first and fifth husband. Although she had some acting and modeling experience, she became most widely known because of her connection to Cher. Georgia Holt died on December 10, 2022, at the age of 96.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Relationship With His Daughter Cher
John Paul Sarkisian had a distant and complicated relationship with his daughter Cher.
Cher reportedly did not meet her biological father until she was about eleven years old. By that point, John had already been largely absent from her childhood and had experienced serious personal difficulties. John’s struggles with addiction and gambling made it difficult for him to remain a consistent father figure. His absence had an emotional effect on Cher, who later spoke about her childhood and her relationship with her father.
John also became involved in a legal dispute with Cher in the 1970s after objecting to negative comments she had made about him publicly. Despite their difficult history, Cher and John eventually reconciled before his death. Their relationship remained complicated, but his place in Cher’s family story continued to be significant.
Family Members and Siblings
John Paul Sarkisian had three older sisters and additional half-siblings through his parents’ separation and later marriages.
His parents, George and Blanche, eventually separated, and Blanche later married Carl Yegan. This created additional family connections for John. Cher was John’s most famous child because of her international entertainment career. Cher also has a half-sister, Georganne LaPiere, through her mother Georgia Holt’s later marriage to Gilbert LaPiere. The extended family reflects the complicated relationships that shaped John and Cher’s family history.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Personal Struggles and Family Life
John Paul Sarkisian struggled with addiction and gambling, and these problems contributed to instability in his family life.
His gambling was reportedly severe enough that he once lost his family’s business through a bet. His struggles with drugs and alcohol also made it difficult for him to maintain a stable relationship with his family. These problems contributed to John being absent for significant periods of his daughter’s childhood. Cher has spoken about her father’s heroin addiction and the effect his absence had on her family. His personal struggles became an important part of the complicated story surrounding his relationship with Cher.
Net Worth and Financial Background
John Paul Sarkisian did not become wealthy during his lifetime and lived a much more modest life than his daughter Cher.
He worked various blue-collar jobs and experienced financial instability throughout his life. His gambling problems also contributed to difficulties with money. There are other people named John Sarkisian who have had successful careers and businesses, but they should not be confused with Cher’s father. John Paul Sarkisian lived a relatively private life and did not leave behind the type of large fortune associated with his daughter’s successful entertainment career.
Legacy and Influence
John Paul Sarkisian’s legacy is closely connected to his daughter Cher and the Armenian heritage that became part of her family identity.
Although he never achieved the fame that Cher later gained, his surname became internationally recognized through his daughter. His story is also connected to the challenges of addiction, complicated family relationships, and parental absence. Cher’s public reflections about her childhood have helped keep interest in her father and his role in her early life. At the same time, John’s Armenian background forms part of the family history behind one of the world’s most famous entertainers.
Conclusion
John Paul Sarkisian lived a private life, but his connection to Cher has made him an important figure in her family history. Born to Armenian-American parents, he worked several different jobs, including truck driving, and married Georgia Holt twice. His life was also marked by addiction, gambling, financial difficulties, and a complicated relationship with his daughter.
Although John and Cher had a distant relationship for much of her childhood, they eventually reconciled before his death in 1985. His story remains closely connected to Cher’s background and offers a look at the family history behind one of the most famous entertainers in the world.
John Paul Sarkisian FAQ
When Was John Paul Sarkisian Born?
John Paul Sarkisian was born on March 23, 1926, in Oakland, California. He was the son of Armenian immigrants George and Blanche Sarkisian. He grew up in California during the Great Depression.
Who Was John Paul Sarkisian’s Wife?
His most famous wife was Georgia Holt, Cher’s mother. They married twice, first in 1945 and again in 1965, but both marriages ended in divorce. He had no other well-known wives.
Was John Paul Sarkisian Cher’s Biological Father?
Yes, John Paul Sarkisian was Cher’s biological father. He and Georgia Holt had Cher in 1946. However, he was largely absent from her life, and they had a very distant relationship.
What Was John Paul Sarkisian’s Ethnicity?
John Paul Sarkisian was Armenian-American. Both of his parents were Armenian immigrants who survived the Armenian Genocide. This Armenian heritage was later passed on to his daughter Cher.
What Did John Paul Sarkisian Do for a Living?
He worked many different jobs, but his main job was as a truck driver. He also worked as a bartender, auto mechanic, and horse breeder at various times. His gambling and addiction problems often made it hard for him to keep steady work.
How Old Was John Paul Sarkisian When He Died?
John Paul Sarkisian died on January 28, 1985, at the age of 58. He was born in March 1926, so he was just a few months short of his 59th birthday. He died in Los Angeles, California.
