Sonny Bono's widow slams Cher, claims she protected his legacy for years before being dragged to court

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Sonny Bono's widow Mary Bono has criticized the singer's ex-wife, Cher, for taking her to federal court over royalties. Mary claimed she has consistently been generous and accommodating to Cher throughout the years.

This comes after the 77-year-old singer reportedly filed a lawsuit against Mary, claiming she's being prevented from approving the use of pop and entertainment duo, Sonny & Cher, songs.

Additionally, Cher alleges that Mary has halted her royalty payments for her collaborative work with her former spouse.

Sonny Bono's widow Mary Bono refuses Cher’s claims

But now, Sonny's widow Mary has claimed her innocence, refuting all of Cher's accusations over royalties. 

The 62-year-old former United States Representative has stated that Sonny’s “copyright grants began to be eligible for termination in 2018, which meant that the Bono Heirs could serve notices of termination starting in 2008,” as per RadarOnline.

Mary has reportedly said that even though Sonny’s children have all the rights over his songs, she has not stopped taking Cher’s permission before making any decision regarding their work.

In her deposition, she asserted that she “regularly communicated with Cher’s representative” whenever someone “asked for permission to use any of the songs.”

Mary Bono claims she's honoring Sonny Bono and Cher's legacies 

Talking about how she has been honoring both of the musicians' legacies, Mary further stated, “There has not been a single use of Sonny’s music that Cher did not approve.”

“I think the history of my belief on how I’ve tried to run this stuff the best I’ve been able to is to honor both Cher and Sonny’s legacies,” she continued.

Mary Bono opens up about Sonny & Cher’s song ‘Bang Bang’

Mary also shared, “I do believe that the songs over the years have been able to be misconstrued and I’ve wanted to make sure that they wouldn’t be."

She added, “And I wanted to make sure that she has never had any objection to how she, her music, her singing, would be portrayed.”

Giving reference to Sonny & Cher’s song ‘Bang Bang’, Mary noted in her statement that it “was an innocent love song back in the day, in the 60’s. And we continuously get requests to approve it in more of a domestic violence situation.”

She shared, “When I interpret it to be used in something like that, I decline, but I need to make sure that their side agrees and is seeing it and hearing it in the same way I am.”

Mary has now reportedly requested the court to dismiss Cher’s lawsuit.