Most people know Cher for her voice, her style, and her long career. Very few people know much about her father, John Paul Sarkisian. He was not famous, and he never tried to be. Still, his name keeps coming up because people want to understand Cher’s background. This article talks about his life in a simple and honest way, using only what is known.
Quick Bio of john paul sarkisian
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Paul Sarkisian |
| Famous As | Cher’s Father |
| Date of Birth | March 23, 1926 |
| Place of Birth | Oakland, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Armenian-American |
| Parents | Ghiragos Sarkisian, Siranousch Dilkian |
| Spouse | Georgia Holt |
| Children | Cher |
| Profession | Truck Driver |
| Date of Death | January 28, 1985 |
| Place of Death | Fresno, California, USA |
Where He Came From
John Paul Sarkisian was born on March 23, 1926, in Oakland, California. His parents were part of the Armenian community in the United States. His father was Ghiragos Sarkisian, and his mother was Siranousch Dilkian.
There is not much written about his childhood. That usually means one thing. He lived a normal life. No fame. No big events. Just work, family, and daily struggles like many other families at that time.

Nationality and Ethnicity
People often ask about john paul sarkisian nationality. The answer is simple. He was American. He was born in the United States and lived there his whole life.
Ethnically, John Paul Sarkisian was Armenian. This is one of the few things that is very clear in his story. Sometimes you see claims online about Native American roots, but there is no real proof of that. Armenian heritage is the only confirmed background.
Marriage With Georgia Holt
One important part of his life was his relationship with Georgia Holt, whose real name was Jackie Jean Crouch. She was young and trying to build a career when they met.
They got married in 1945. The marriage did not last long. They divorced in 1947. Years later, they tried again and remarried in 1965, but that also ended in divorce in 1966. Their relationship had many problems, and stability was never easy for them.
Becoming Cher’s Father
John Paul Sarkisian became a father when Cher was born on May 20, 1946. Her birth name was Cherilyn Sarkisian.
After the divorce, he was not very present in her life. Cher was raised mostly by her mother and stepfathers. This distance is something Cher has spoken about herself. She never pretended that their relationship was close or healthy.
Work Life and Personal Problems
Unlike his daughter, John Paul Sarkisian never worked in entertainment. He did normal jobs. One of them was truck driving.
There are reports that he struggled with gambling and alcohol. These issues likely affected his family life and his relationship with Cher. His life does not look easy or successful on paper. It looks human. Messy. Unstable.
Problems Later in Life
As Cher became famous, things did not get better between them. At one point, Cher accused her father of sharing private family stories with the media.
That caused a serious break. After that, they were not close. The relationship never really recovered. By the end of his life, they were mostly separated emotionally.
How He Died
Many people search how did John Paul Sarkisian die. He passed away on January 28, 1985, in Fresno, California. He was 58 years old.
The exact cause of death was never shared publicly. There are no official details. Because of this, most sources simply say that he died quietly.

Burial Information
For people looking up john paul sarkisian find a grave, he was buried at Fresno Memorial Gardens in California.
There is nothing flashy about his burial. It matches the way he lived. Private and mostly unnoticed.
Why People Still Look Him Up
People still search for John Paul Sarkisian because of Cher. They want to understand her story better. Family history often explains a lot about a person.
His life shows that not every famous person comes from a happy or stable background. Sometimes the story behind the scenes is very different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was John Paul Sarkisian?
John Paul Sarkisian was the biological father of Cher. He lived a private life away from fame.
What was John Paul Sarkisian’s nationality?
John Paul Sarkisian was American. He was born and raised in the United States.
What was John Paul Sarkisian’s ethnicity?
He was Armenian-American. His parents came from Armenian roots.
How did John Paul Sarkisian die?
He died in 1985 in Fresno, California. The exact cause of death was never publicly shared.
Did John Paul Sarkisian have a close relationship with Cher?
No. Cher has said their relationship was distant and difficult, especially later in life.
Final Thoughts
The life of John Paul Sarkisian was quiet and complicated. He was not a public figure. He was not successful or famous. He struggled, made mistakes, and stayed mostly in the background.
Understanding his story helps people understand Cher a little better. Not to judge him, and not to praise him, but to see the full picture. Real lives are often like this. Not perfect. Just real.
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