Georgia Holt, Singer and Mother of Cher, Dies at 96

Georgia Holt, a singer, actor and mother to pop legend Cher, has died. She was 96.

Cher broke the news on Twitter Saturday evening, writing “mom is gone.” No other details, including a cause or exact date of death, are available at this time.

In September, Holt had been admitted to a hospital with pneumonia after facing some recurring health struggles.

“Sorry I’ve been Mia. Mom’s Been Sick Off & On. She Just Got Out Of Hosp. She Had Pneumonia. She’s Getting Better,” Cher shared on Sept. 9.

Holt was a singer-songwriter, actor and model best known for her roles in “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” “I Love Lucy” and “Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theater.” She also appeared in several films including “A Life of Her Own,” “Watch the Birdie,” “Grounds for Marriage” and “Father’s Little Dividend.”

In the 1980s, Holt recorded her country album “Honky Tonk Woman,” which was later released in 2013 and featured a duet with Cher titled “I’m Just Your Yesterday.” She was also the subject of the 2013 Lifetime documentary “Dear Mom, Love Cher.”

Holt was born Jackie Jean Crouch on June 9, 1926, in Kensett, Ark. She was married and divorced six times throughout her life and remained in a relationship with Craig Spencer from 1976 until her death. Holt and Cher’s father, John Paul Sarkisian, were married from 1946 to 1947, later remarrying in 1965 and divorcing again in 1966.

Holt is survived by her two daughters, Cher and Georganne LaPiere; her partner, Spencer; and her grandchildren, Chaz Bono and P. Exeter Blue I.