Today In Entertainment History Vol. 7

JANUARY 5th

It was on this day in 1998 that singer turned politician, Sonny Bono, was killed in a skiing accident at the age of 62. Born in 1935, Sonny Bono first rose to fame in the early 1970s as half of the singing duo Sonny and Cher, and as wife Cher’s straight man and costar on The Sonny and Cher Show. During his musical career as a singer and songwriter, Sonny received ten gold records but was most famously known for the 1965 hit duet with Cher “I Got You Babe.”

In 1988 Sonny Bono entered the world of politics when he was elected mayor of Palm Springs. In 1994 he ran for a seat in Congress as a Republican, and won.

Fun facts about Sonny Bono:

Sonny married Donna Rankin in 1954. They divorced in 1962. They had one child, daughter Christy Bono.

Sonny married Cher on October 27 1964 and divorced on June 26 1975. They had one child, Chastity Bono.

Sonny acknowledged an illegitimate son, Sean, born in 1964 from an affair with Mimi Machu while married to Cher.

Sonny married Susie Coelho in 1981. They divorced in 1984. They had no children together.

Sonny married Mary Bono in February 1986…two children from the marriage to Mary, Chesare Elan and Chianna Maria.

More Sonny Bono trivia at TV.com

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