Cher has secured a legal victory in her long-running dispute over Sonny and Cher royalties, but the outcome comes with a significant financial cost. A federal judge ruled that the music icon must cover more than $1 million in her own legal fees despite prevailing in the underlying case.
The ruling comes as Cher’s custom-built Malibu estate, once listed for as much as $85 million, remains off the market after failing to attract a buyer.
Ruling
On July 21, 2026, U.S. District Judge John A. Kronstadt denied Cher’s request to have Mary Bono, the widow of Sonny Bono, pay her attorney fees totaling $1,023,605.
The dispute stemmed from a lawsuit Cher filed in October 2021 after royalty payments tied to Sonny and Cher songs, including “I Got You Babe” and “The Beat Goes On,” were halted.
Although Cher won the royalties case, the judge ruled that the legal dispute centered on contract interpretation rather than the Copyright Act. As a result, the legal standard that sometimes allows the winning party to recover attorney fees did not apply.
Royalties
Cher prevailed in the lawsuit in May 2024, when the court awarded her $418,156.82 in unpaid royalties.
The final judgment in the case was entered on Nov. 26, 2025.
Mary Bono has since appealed the royalties ruling, meaning the legal proceedings have not yet fully concluded.
Financial Journey
Cher has spoken publicly over the years about overcoming serious financial difficulties.
In interviews, she recalled experiencing financial hardship following the end of her marriage to Sonny Bono in 1975. She also discussed the financial struggles they faced during the final years of their professional partnership, including substantial debt.
Over the following decades, Cher rebuilt her career through music, film, touring, and business ventures.
Malibu Estate
One of Cher’s best-known assets is her Malibu estate overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
She purchased the property in 1989 for $2.95 million and spent several years developing the approximately 13,200-square-foot Italian Renaissance-inspired home.
The estate includes seven bedrooms, an infinity pool, a private gym, and custom architectural features influenced by Venetian and Moorish design.
Market
Cher listed the Malibu property for $85 million in October 2022.
The asking price was later reduced to $75 million in May 2023 after the home remained unsold.
In August 2024, the property was removed from the market. Public property records indicate it continues to be held by the trust used to purchase the estate decades ago.
According to Redfin housing data cited in reports, Malibu’s luxury housing market experienced slower sales activity during 2026, with homes remaining on the market significantly longer than in previous years.
Outlook
While the legal ruling requires Cher to pay her own legal expenses, it does not change the court’s earlier decision recognizing her entitlement to royalties under her divorce settlement with Sonny Bono.
The Malibu mansion also remains part of her real estate portfolio, with no indication that it will be relisted for sale in the near future.
The case highlights how legal victories do not always result in recovering litigation costs, particularly when disputes are decided under contract law rather than statutes that permit attorney fee awards.
FAQs
Why did Cher have to pay her own legal fees?
The judge ruled the case involved contract law, not the Copyright Act.
How much did Cher recover in unpaid royalties?
The court awarded Cher $418,156.82 in unpaid royalties.
Is Cher’s Malibu mansion still for sale?
No. The property was delisted in August 2024.
How much was the Malibu estate listed for?
It was initially listed for $85 million.
Has the royalties case fully ended?
No. Mary Bono has appealed the royalties ruling.
