Though Cher and Sonny divorced rather bitterly, and Cher was snarky from time to time about her overly controlling ex, she never denied that it was Sonny who was the architect of their careers – as pop stars and, later, as TV icons. He had to push her on stage, he had to assure her that she had fabulous sound, he gladly played straight man to her wisecracking put-downs. He made the decisions and for the most part – at least professionally – he was on target. 

Eventually, Cher had to fly free and find herself as a solo performer and as a woman dealing with life all on her own. She succeeded perhaps beyond her wildest dreams – an Oscar for her performance in “Moonstruck” – but she never dismissed Sonny’s importance.

As she said, heartbreakingly, in her eulogy at Sonny’s funeral: “When I was a little girl, I always used to read the Reader’s Digest ‘Most Unforgettable Person’ stories. And no matter how long I live, or who I know, Sonny will always be that person to me.”

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Madonna! As most everybody knows, Madonna was born and raised a Catholic. But she had issues with the strictures and ceremonies of the church. Not that she has ever been averse to using Catholic symbols to make various points, or just to shock the hell out of people. She wore a crown of thorns and suspended herself on a crucifix during a concert tour a few years back.

For the past decade the pop icon has been deeply immersed in Jewish mysticism, better known as kabbalah, and sometimes called a “cult” – even by Jews. Now, Madonna may have found Jesus again. Hallelujah!

Wait — before you rush to your local parish and light a few “thank God, she’s back!” candles, be aware that Madonna’s Jesus is a hot, 20-year-old model who posed with M for a W photo shoot in Rio de Janeiro, as Madonna wound down her “Sticky and Sweet” tour.

After the photo session, Madonna took young Mr. Jesus to San Paulo, where they partied at a place called Bar Secreto. Well, nothing was “secreto” folks.

She sat on his lap. They made out, and some say he spent the night at Madonna’s hotel. Now, look, the hotel has a lot of rooms, so we shouldn’t assume anything — OK?

Ah, but what of her rumored “soul mate” Alex Rodriguez? Perhaps that never-confirmed romance has cooled? Or maybe, just maybe, Madonna and A-Rod were telling the truth, and no affair ever existed?

In any case, Madonna’s tour, which grossed $250 million last year, might still play a few more dates. 

Well, she has to make back that $65, $72 or $95 million she shelled out to her ex, Guy Ritchie. Look, the girl’s down to her last $300 million.

Click here on this text to read my New York Post column.