The death of Cher’s mother appeared to be confirmed on social media, sparking a flood of condolences.
The 76-year-old Believe singer is a frequent Twitter user, but she has recently started posting less after learning of her mother Georgia Holt’s health concerns in September. After taking a two-day pause, she appeared to announce Holt’s passing at age 96 at around five in the morning on Sunday, December 11, according to the Mirror.
The tweet simply stated, “Mom is gone,” and was followed by an expression of shock. More than 11,000 replies from friends and fans giving love to the If I Could Turn Back Time star have been received as of the time of publication in reaction to the tweet.
Actress Mary Helgenberger replied: “Oh Cher I’m so very sorry to hear that your beloved mother has passed. My heart goes out to you. What a blessing to have had her in your life for as long as you did. May she rest in peace.”
US celebrity blogger Perez Hilton also reached out: “My deepest condolences. The biggest hug to you and your family! Your mother was a gem!”
Holt, an actress, songwriter, and model in her own right, inspired her daughter to pursue a career in show business. Six times she had been married and divorced, remarrying her first spouse John Sarkisian 19 years after their divorce before getting a second divorce.
Cher was Holt and John’s only child when she was born in 1946. Actress Georganne LaPiere was the second child Holt had with her husband John Southnall. Chaz Bono and Elijah Blue Allma are two grandchildren that Holt has through Cher.
Cher had a close relationship with her mother. A Lifetime documentary on her mother’s life called Dear Mom, Love Cher was executive produced by the singer in 2013. Additionally, they collaborated on the song “I’m Just Your Yesterday” for the 2013 reissue of Holt’s 1982 album Honky Tonk Woman.
Last week, Cher made headlines when she confirmed her relationship with Alexander “AE” Edwards, a man 40 years her junior. During a recent visit on The Kelly Clarkson Show, the celebrity made light of the age difference between her and her music executive boyfriend.
“Well, on paper it’s kind of ridiculous,” Cher admitted. “But in real life we get along great. He’s fabulous and I don’t give men qualities that they don’t deserve.”
“He’s very smart, he’s very talented and he’s really funny so – and I think he’s quite handsome.” Cher continued, heaping praise on her “incredibly sweet” toyboy. The Mama Mia actress continued by claiming that because “older men are not into her,” she had to date people outside her age bracket.
She added: “If I hadn’t met younger men in my life, I would have never had a date, because older men just didn’t like me all that much, do you know what I mean?” Cher admitted that she had “a couple lovers” who “hovered around my age,” but she had the impression that “they just didn’t like me for some reason.”
Our thoughts are with Cher and her family at this very sad time.
