Chaz Bono and Shara Blue Mathes Are Married: Cher Sits Front Row at Hollywood Roosevelt Wedding
Forty years, one first kiss, and a lifetime in between. Chaz Bono, 57, and Shara Blue Mathes tied the knot March 8 at The Hollywood Roosevelt hotel in Los Angeles in a ceremony People magazine covered exclusively — with Cher seated in the very front pew, cheering as her son dipped his new bride after exchanging vows.
A Love Story That Began as Teenagers
Chaz and Shara first met as teenagers at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, but their romance didn't fully blossom until 2017 after they reconnected.
"I first met Shara more than 40 years ago when we were just teenagers," Chaz told People. "I think it's safe to say that not many grooms ultimately end up marrying the very first girl they ever kissed so many years later."
Nine years of dating. One marriage. The math is simple — the journey wasn't.
The Wedding: Black Aisle, Red Candles, Purple Orchids
The ceremony featured a black aisle lined with glowing red candles and moody floral arrangements, setting a dramatic Hollywood atmosphere for the couple to exchange vows.
Shara wore an A-line wedding gown with lacy sleeves and a scalloped neckline, completing the look with a veil tucked into her curled black tresses and a bouquet of purple orchids and red flowers. Chaz wore a classic black tuxedo with a black bow tie and a boutonnière that matched his wife's arrangement.
Wedding planner Natalie Sofer noted the couple shared a celebratory dip after exchanging vows, with guests describing the evening as both glamorous and emotional. Cher attended in an all-black ensemble and was photographed cheering from the aisle seat of the front row.
Shara Blue Mathes: Who She Is
Mathes is not a public figure by choice. She works in social services as a case manager, reportedly with Housing Works since 2014.
She has a son, Cooper, from a previous relationship. In 2021, she faced a health crisis — diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, she shared glimpses of her treatment journey on social media while Chaz publicly credited her strength throughout.
Chaz's Instagram tribute during her treatment said it all: "I think it somehow captures the incredible strength and dignity Shara's embodied throughout her breast cancer treatments this year, and how much I absolutely adore her."
"We Are Home"
The quote Chaz gave People is the whole story in three words. "She makes me feel complete knowing she will always be there beside me as partner, my best friend, and the love of my life. No matter what life brings us, we will always be safer and stronger together — and we are home."
The newlyweds are currently honeymooning in Hawaii, according to their Honeyfund wedding registry website.
