Cher Previously Discussed Having a Facelift – How She Looks Now at 79 and How AI Thinks She'd Look Naturally

 

For more than half a century, Cher has refused to play by Hollywood's rules, including when it comes to aging. As conversations around cosmetic procedures grow louder, her long-standing honesty offers a rare context behind the headlines.

Hollywood Legend Cher has never pretended time doesn't pass… She's just never let it tell her what to do. As you scroll through this photo gallery, you'll see how her appearance has evolved across decades, what she has explicitly said about cosmetic work, and how AI imagines she might look today had she never had anything done at all.

The Beginning: Cher's Original Look

In the mid-1960s, Cher emerged with a look that immediately stood apart: long dark hair, striking eyes, and sharp features that helped define her early days of fame.

These photos capture the face audiences first recognized, before superstardom, before speculation, and long before cosmetic procedures became a public conversation.

Late '60s to Early '70s: Heightened Fame and Change

As Cher's career expanded, so did scrutiny. With rising fame came increasing attention to her appearance; a pattern that would follow her for decades.

The Disco Years and Peak Visibility

By the late '70s, Cher had fully embraced bold fashion, dramatic makeup, and fearless self-expression. Her appearance was already part of her artistic identity, not something she treated as untouchable.

Early '80s: Awards, Reinvention, and Even More Public Curiosity

As Cher transitioned into award-winning film roles, conversations about her looks intensified, even though cosmetic discussions were far less open at the time.

The '90s: Familiar, but Changing

By the early 1990s, Cher's face appeared smoother and more sculpted, which would later fuel increasingly extreme tabloid rumors, claims she later directly addressed.

Late '90s to Early 2000s: Constant Reinvention

Through red carpets, performances, and public appearances, Cher continued evolving — visually and artistically — without pretending she wasn't making choices along the way.

Setting the Record Straight

In a Primetime interview broadcast on February 28, 2002, Cher spoke openly about cosmetic surgery and rumors surrounding her appearance.

She explained that "keeping the package viable" had involved plastic surgery, but not to the extent tabloids claimed. She pushed back on exaggerated reports, saying:

"If I'd had as much plastic surgery as they [say], you know, like I've got [butt] implants and calf implants and cheek implants. I've had the same cheeks my entire life. No butt lifts. No ribs removed."

She also made it clear that even if she had, she wouldn't feel ashamed, "If I want to put my tits on my back, it's nobody's business but my own."

Why She Never Hid Early Procedures

In the same interview, which was shared by a fan on YouTube, Cher explained why she had always been open about earlier cosmetic work:

"Maybe because I was really flamboyant, because I didn't hide anything… when I got my nose and my teeth done, I said it because it didn't occur to me that that would be anything that anybody would even care about."

Expert Commentary: A Surgeon's Perspective

Plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Linkov later analyzed Cher's changing appearance across the years. Although he said he couldn't determine the exact incision placement around the ear, he noted that Cher has previously admitted to having a facelift.

According to Dr. Linkov, by 2002 — when Cher was 56 — he began to see signs consistent with Botox use, particularly in the forehead, glabella, and crow's feet, where the skin appears noticeably smoother.

He also suggested she may have begun cheek and lip filler around that time, noting increased volume in the medial cheeks.

Linkov explained that this timeline aligns with when Botox and fillers were first approved for cosmetic use in the early 2000s, adding that filler is often placed more heavily in the medial cheek compared to the lateral, whether using fat or hyaluronic acid fillers.

2010s: Still Visible, Still Scrutinized

As she aged, public fascination with her appearance only grew, especially as she continued performing and attending major events.

What Cher Has Said About Cosmetic Enhancements

Even in later years, Cher has addressed her appearance directly. According to the Daily Mail, she once described herself as the "poster girl for plastic surgery" and confirmed, "yes [sic], I have had a facelift, but who hasn't?"

Cher in 2023: Her Own Words on Aging

In a 2023 interview on Good Morning Britain, Cher reflected on aging and appearance. The iconic musician noted that she can't believe she'll be 80 sooner than she'd like, and said she'll still be wearing jeans, keeping her long hair, and doing what she's always done.

When asked about her secret, Cher mentioned having both young and old friends, keeping up with trends, and credited her family genes. She added:

"I don't know if not feeling old makes you younger [...] I'm not trying to feel young. I'm not trying to be young. I am who I am."

Cher performing onstage at the iHeartRadio z100's Jingle Ball in New York City on December 8, 2023. | Source: Getty Images

Cher performing onstage at the iHeartRadio z100's Jingle Ball in New York City on December 8, 2023. | Source: Getty Images

Recent Years: 79 and Still Rockin' It

At 79, Cher remains active, visible, and unmistakably herself, continuing to appear at awards shows, concerts, and public events.

Real vs. AI: A Hypothetical Look at 'Natural' Aging

The AI-generated images imagine Cher with deeper wrinkles, looser skin, and more pronounced signs of aging, offering a contrast to her real-life appearance today.

No Apologies, Just Cher

Cher never claimed to age without help. What she has consistently done is own her choices, speak openly about them, and refuse to treat aging as something shameful.

Whether viewed through real photos or AI projections, her appearance — like her career — tells a powerful story she's never tried to hide.