Childhood and Education Journey of Chaz Bono in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 13, 2026

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Chaz Bono. A timeline of key moments.

Chaz Bono is an American writer, musician, and actor, known for being the child of Sonny Bono and Cher. He gained early public recognition through appearances on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. Bono is also an activist.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

March 4, 1969: Chaz Bono's Birth

On March 4, 1969, Chastity Sun Bono, later known as Chaz Bono, was born to entertainers Sonny Bono and Cher.

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November 1994: Sonny Bono Elected as Congressman

In November 1994, Chaz Bono's father, Sonny Bono, was elected as a Republican Congressman from California, which began to strain their relationship.

April 1995: Coming Out as Lesbian in The Advocate

In April 1995, Chaz Bono publicly came out as a lesbian in an interview with The Advocate.

1995: Chaz Bono Publicly Identifies as Lesbian

In 1995, Chaz Bono, while presenting as a woman, publicly self-identified as a lesbian in a cover story in The Advocate magazine after being outed by the tabloid press.

August 1996: Cher's Support in The Advocate

In August 1996, Cher agreed to 'come out' on the cover of The Advocate as the proud mother of a lesbian daughter.

January 1998: Sonny Bono's Death

In January 1998, Sonny Bono died in a skiing accident. At the time, he and Chaz Bono had not spoken for over a year due to differing political views.

1998: Publication of Family Outing

In 1998, Bono's book 'Family Outing' detailed how coming out transformed his life and provided affirmation as a lesbian, woman, and individual.

2003: Publication of 'The End of Innocence'

In 2003, Chaz Bono's memoir 'The End of Innocence' was published, discussing his outing, music career, and partner Joan's death from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

2006: Celebrity Fit Club 3

In 2006, Chaz Bono was a team captain for Celebrity Fit Club 3, supported by his girlfriend Jennifer Elia.

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2008: Beginning of Gender Transition

Chaz Bono began his gender transition from female to male in mid-2008.

2008: Start of Physical and Social Transition

In mid-2008, Chaz Bono began undergoing a physical and social transition from female to male.

June 2009: Chaz Bono Discusses Medical Transition

In June 2009, Chaz Bono explained in a two-part CBS TV Entertainment Tonight feature that his medical gender transition had started a year prior.

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June 2009: Confirmation of Gender Transition

In June 2009, Chaz Bono's publicist confirmed that he was undergoing a physical and social transition from female to male, and announced Bono's hope to open hearts and minds regarding the issue. GLAAD and the Empowering Spirits Foundation offered support.

May 6, 2010: Legal Completion of Transition

On May 6, 2010, Chaz Bono's legal gender and name change was granted by a California court, completing his legal transition.

May 2010: Legal Gender and Name Change

In May 2010, Chaz Bono legally changed his ID to match his gender and name.

May 10, 2011: Becoming Chaz Debut on OWN

On May 10, 2011, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) debuted 'Becoming Chaz', a documentary film about Chaz Bono's transition.

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September 2011: Participation in 'Dancing with the Stars'

In September 2011, Chaz Bono became a competitor on the 13th season of 'Dancing with the Stars', marking the first time an openly transgender man starred on a major network television show for something unrelated to being transgender.

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October 25, 2011: Elimination from 'Dancing with the Stars'

On October 25, 2011, Chaz Bono and his partner Lacey Schwimmer were eliminated from the 13th season of 'Dancing with the Stars'.

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2011: Screening of 'Becoming Chaz'

In 2011, 'Becoming Chaz', a documentary about Chaz Bono's transition, was screened at the Sundance Film Festival and later debuted on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

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2012: Publication of 'Transition'

In 2012, Chaz Bono's book, 'Transition: Becoming Who I Was Always Meant to Be' was published, making him the first person of Armenian descent to publish a memoir about being an openly transgender man.