Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere was an American World War II veteran, pilot, and businessman who worked in the oil industry. He is also known as a former husband of Georgia Holt and the stepfather of her daughters, Cher and Georganne LaPiere.
Gilbert was born on June 29, 1923, in Irvington, New Jersey. He reportedly flew 35 missions during World War II before building a career in business. He married Georgia twice and was involved in Cher’s life when she was young. Gilbert died in 2012.
Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere’s Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere |
| Date of birth | June 29, 1923 |
| Birthplace | Irvington, New Jersey, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Mother | Tillie LaPiere |
| Father | Albert LaPiere |
| Education | Attended college and later graduated |
| Military service | World War II |
| Military role | Pilot |
| Reported missions | 35 |
| Profession | Oil businessman |
| Former employer | Cities Service Oil Company |
| Other employer | Chase Bank |
| Former wife | Georgia Holt |
| Other wife | Beverly Lorraine Foster LaPiere |
| Stepdaughters | Cher and Georganne LaPiere |
| Daughter | Verna Bullock |
| First marriage to Georgia | December 8, 1962 |
| First divorce from Georgia | 1964 |
| Second marriage to Georgia | July 17, 1997 |
| Death | 2012 |
| Known for | WWII service, oil career, and being Cher’s stepfather |
Who Was Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere?
Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere was a World War II veteran and businessman.
He worked for an oil company and Chase Bank before continuing his career in the oil industry.
He later became publicly connected to the entertainment world through his marriages to Georgia Holt, the mother of singer and actress Cher.
Gilbert was not Cher’s biological father. He was her stepfather and reportedly played an active role in her teenage years.
Early Life and Parents
Gilbert was born on June 29, 1923, in Irvington, New Jersey.
His parents were Tillie and Albert LaPiere.
He spent part of his youth in Newark, New Jersey, where he attended school.
Information about his siblings and wider family background is limited.
He Was an Eagle Scout and Athlete
Gilbert was involved in several activities while growing up.
He reportedly earned the rank of Eagle Scout when he was young.
He was also involved in athletics throughout his school years.
The specific sports he played have not been publicly documented in the available information.
Gilbert’s Education
Gilbert attended college, although the name of the institution has not been confirmed in the available sources.
His studies were interrupted for more than two years because of World War II.
After completing his military service, Gilbert returned to his education and eventually graduated.
His degree and field of study are not publicly confirmed.
Gilbert Was a World War II Pilot
Gilbert served as a pilot during World War II.
He reportedly completed 35 missions.
During one bombing mission, his aircraft was reportedly in danger of going into the ocean. Gilbert had to escape from the aircraft.
The available information does not confirm his military branch, rank, unit, aircraft type, or military awards.
His Career After World War II
After completing college, Gilbert began building a business career.
He reportedly worked for Cities Service Oil Company, a company connected with the petroleum industry.
He later worked for Chase Bank in New York.
His banking work reportedly gave him additional knowledge and experience related to the oil business.
Gilbert eventually became an oil businessman and spent years working in the industry.
His Work in the Oil Industry
Gilbert continued working in the oil business for many years.
Published accounts say he also helped provide opportunities to other people working in the industry.
However, detailed information about his exact job titles, companies, business deals, or financial achievements is limited.
Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere and Georgia Holt
Gilbert married Georgia Holt for the first time on December 8, 1962.
Georgia had already been married several times and had two daughters, Cher and Georganne.
Published reports describe Gilbert as Georgia’s fifth husband.
Their first marriage lasted only a short time. Gilbert and Georgia divorced in 1964.
Decades later, they reunited and married each other again.
Who Was Georgia Holt?
Georgia Holt was an American actress, singer, and model.
She was born in Arkansas and became widely known as the mother of Cher.
Georgia had two daughters, Cher and Georganne, from earlier relationships.
She married several times during her life, including twice to Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere.
Georgia died in 2022, about ten years after Gilbert.
Gilbert Became Cher’s Stepfather
Gilbert became Cher’s stepfather when he married Georgia.
Cher was born Cherilyn Sarkisian. Her biological father was John Sarkisian.
Gilbert reportedly became involved in Cher’s upbringing and helped with her education.
Cher and her sister later used LaPiere as their surname.
Who Is Cher?

Cher is an American singer and actress who has had a career spanning several decades.
She first became widely known as part of Sonny & Cher with Sonny Bono. She later built a major solo music career.
Cher also became a successful actress and appeared in films including Moonstruck, Mask, and Mermaids.
Her role in Moonstruck earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Gilbert’s connection to Cher came through his marriage to her mother. He was her stepfather, not her biological father.
Gilbert Helped With Cher’s Education
Gilbert reportedly enrolled Cher in a private school.
At the time, Cher had a difficult relationship with her biological father.
The specific private school Gilbert enrolled her in is not identified in the available information.
Gilbert and Cher’s Teenage Years
One reported story about Gilbert’s role as a stepfather involves actor Warren Beatty.
Cher was around 16 when she spent time with Beatty, who was older than her.
According to published accounts, Gilbert was upset when Cher returned home after going out with the actor.
Beatty reportedly did not initially know Cher’s real age.
The story is one example of Gilbert acting as a parental figure during Cher’s teenage years.
Georganne LaPiere Was His Other Stepdaughter
Gilbert’s other stepdaughter was Georganne LaPiere, Cher’s half-sister.
Her name has sometimes been written as Georgianne in secondary reports.
Georganne also used Gilbert’s surname and later worked as an actress.
Both sisters continued to be associated with the LaPiere name even after Gilbert and Georgia’s first marriage ended.
Gilbert’s Marriage to Beverly Lorraine Foster
After his first marriage to Georgia ended, Gilbert married Beverly Lorraine Foster LaPiere.
Beverly was reportedly born on October 31, 1928, in Los Angeles.
Gilbert and Beverly were married for around 34 years.
During their marriage, Gilbert continued his work in the oil industry.
Gilbert and Beverly’s Life Together
Gilbert and Beverly shared several interests.
They reportedly enjoyed playing golf and taking Atlantic cruises.
The couple also owned a mountain home in North Carolina.
They developed friendships in the area, including a reported friendship with members of the Moore family.
Beverly Died in 1997
Beverly died in 1997.
Published information says she was survived by her daughter Diana Spahn, her sister Evelyn Soucie, and her brothers Jack Foster and Gale Foster.
Diana is identified as Beverly’s daughter. The available information does not establish that Gilbert was Diana’s biological father.
Gilbert Remarried Georgia Holt in 1997
After Beverly’s death, Gilbert reunited with Georgia Holt.
They married for the second time on July 17, 1997.
Gilbert was about 74 years old at the time.
Their second marriage also ended in divorce.
The exact date of their second divorce has not been clearly documented in the available information.
Did Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere Have Children?
Published information identifies Verna Bullock as Gilbert’s daughter.
However, there is little reliable public information about Verna’s mother, childhood, or relationship with Gilbert.
Cher and Georganne were his stepdaughters rather than his biological daughters.
Beverly’s daughter Diana Spahn should also not be described as Gilbert’s biological daughter without stronger evidence.
What Happened to Gilbert’s Daughter Verna Bullock?
Secondary reporting says Verna Bullock later died after contracting COVID-19.
The source claims she had visited a hospital because of concerns about her blood pressure and contracted the virus there.
Because detailed medical information about Verna’s death comes from secondary reporting, the circumstances should be treated cautiously.
Gilbert’s Later Years
Gilbert spent part of his later life connected with North Carolina, where he and Beverly owned a mountain property.
His second marriage to Georgia eventually ended.
There is limited reliable information about where Gilbert lived during the final years of his life or what professional activities he continued to pursue.
When Did Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere Die?
Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere died in 2012.
His exact date of death is not confirmed in the available information.
Because only his death year is available, his exact age at death is also uncertain. Based on his June 29, 1923 birth date, he would have been 88 or 89 years old.
His cause and place of death are not reliably established in the information available.
Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere’s Net Worth
Gilbert’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
He worked in banking and the oil industry, but there is not enough public financial information to calculate his wealth.
Online estimates without supporting financial records should not be treated as confirmed.
Was Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere on Social Media?
There is no verified public social media account associated with Gilbert in the available information.
He was born in 1923 and died in 2012, and most information about his life comes from family histories and published profiles rather than his own online presence.
Facts About Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere
- Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere was born on June 29, 1923.
- He was born in Irvington, New Jersey.
- His parents were Tillie and Albert LaPiere.
- He spent part of his youth in Newark, New Jersey.
- He earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
- He was involved in athletics during his school years.
- His college education was interrupted by World War II.
- He served as a pilot during World War II.
- He reportedly completed 35 missions.
- He later returned to college and graduated.
- He worked for Cities Service Oil Company.
- He also worked at Chase Bank in New York.
- He built a career in the oil industry.
- He married Georgia Holt for the first time in 1962.
- He became stepfather to Cher and Georganne LaPiere.
- Cher and Georganne used his surname.
- Gilbert and Georgia divorced in 1964.
- He later married Beverly Lorraine Foster LaPiere.
- Gilbert and Beverly were married for about 34 years.
- Beverly died in 1997.
- Gilbert and Georgia remarried on July 17, 1997.
- Their second marriage later ended in divorce.
- Verna Bullock is reported to have been Gilbert’s daughter.
- Gilbert died in 2012.
- His exact death date and personal net worth are not reliably known.
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