What is Chaz Bono's Net Worth?
Chaz Bono is an American writer, musician, and actor, notable as the child of famed entertainers Sonny Bono and Cher. Chaz Bono boasts a net worth of $800 thousand. He is a celebrated figure within the trans community, having publicly documented his transition journey.
Early Life
Bono was born on March 4, 1969, in Los Angeles, California, as Chastity Sun Bono. Growing up as the only child of Cher and Sonny Bono, who were then part of the iconic pop duo Sonny & Cher, Chaz made multiple appearances on their TV variety show during his childhood. He attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City. At age 13, Bono realized he was gay and came out to his parents as a lesbian at 18.
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Professional Artistic Pursuits
In 1988, Bono co-founded the band Ceremony, which released their album "Hang Out Your Poetry" in 1993. Bono played guitar, percussion, and provided vocals, contributing to the majority of the band's songs along with fellow members Heidi Shink and Mark Hudson. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the band eventually dissolved.
In 2006, Bono participated in the reality show "Celebrity Fit Club 3" as a team captain. He later joined the 13th season of "Dancing with the Stars" in 2011, partnering with professional dancer Lacey Schwimmer. This participation was notable as the first time an openly transgender man appeared on a major network TV show for a purpose beyond transgender issues.
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Activism & Transition
Bono came out as a lesbian in 1995 during an interview with "The Advocate," a national gay and lesbian magazine. He published "Family Outing: A Guide to the Coming Out Process for Gays, Lesbians, and Their Families" in 1998, sharing his coming out experience and providing guidance for others. His mother, Cher, initially struggled but later embraced Bono's identity.
Bono also became a writer for "The Advocate" and served as a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign. As an advocate, he promoted National Coming Out Day, supported the reelection of Bill Clinton, worked with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, and opposed the Defense of Marriage Act.
In June 2009, Bono's publicist announced his decision to transition from female to male, adopting the name "Chaz Bono." He had begun the transition in mid-2008 and legally changed his gender and name in May 2010. His transition story was documented in "Becoming Chaz," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was later acquired by the Oprah Winfrey Network.
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Personal Life
Bono enjoyed a close relationship with his parents, although his relationship with his father, Sonny, became strained due to divergent political views, worsening after Sonny became a Republican Congressman in California. They had not spoken for over a year before Sonny's accidental death in 1998.
In his 20s, Bono's first significant lesbian relationship was with Joan Stephens, a friend of his mother’s who was nearly 20 years older. Tragically, Stephens passed away from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Bono has had other relationships and started dating former child star Shara Blues Mathes in 2019.
