The 78-year-old, who spoke at the Women's March rally against Donald Trump during his first presidency in 2018 and released the song Woman's World, has long been seen as a female icon.

When asked if she accepted the unrealistic beauty standards that are part of the deal for women in the public eye, Cher told BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs: "It's a bitch, but I'm in it, so I play by the rules.

"I play by my own rules, but still, there's a standard to keep up and if you can do it, you do it for as long as you can because it's more fun."

Cher agreed that it is not expected of men in the same way, adding: "But what is?

"They just come in, in their jeans, shaved or not, but men in Hollywood are vain," she added.

"But it's hard for women because men can get scraggly. They can get old.

"I see some women doing it, Helen (Mirren) does it really well. And Judi (Dench)."

Cher starred in Tea With Mussolini with Dame Helen, Dame Judi and Dame Maggie Smith in 1999.

"I kind of just wanted to listen to those girls, because there are all kinds of stories that they're telling about being there," Cher said.

"I had a scene with Maggie, and I was sweating it. I was really like having the vapours, and Maggie said: 'Don't be ridiculous.'"

Cher also spoke about the challenges of parenting following the filing of a petition for control of the finances of her son Elijah Blue Allman, citing his struggles with addiction and mental health.

"You can do your best, and you can be supportive, and you can keep trying," Cher said.

"Elijah is so intelligent, and the truth is he's so bright and so smart, but it hasn't served him well, because he's in that kind of, above all of us.

"He's thinking beyond what we're thinking - but it hasn't helped him, really.

"I loved Gregory (Allman, father of Elijah Blue), so I thought, I will stick with him because he's going to change.

"There are a lot of people who do and he tried hard. I remember once I was so exasperated, and I said: 'I'm so sick of you going to rehab', and he said: 'So am I, but I keep going for you.'

"But they get demons, and it is what it is.

"With my son, I'm not going to give up on him, but it's difficult."

Speaking about her son Chaz, who is a transgender man, Cher said: "It was hard for me. It was really hard. I was so frightened.

"Chaz is great, a great person, we've gone in and out a couple of times. But we're very close. I'm close to both of them."