Simon Cowell once thought he’d never be a father, deeming himself too old to have kids or handle the needs of an infant.
Years later, God blessed him with his mini-me—a son named Eric.
However, Cowell, who also has a stepson from his fiancée, astonished many when he said Eric wouldn’t inherit his $550 million fortune.
Simon Phillip Cowell, born on October 7, 1959, in Lambeth, London, U.K., is an English television personality, record executive, and entrepreneur with an impressive portfolio.
He’s credited as the mastermind behind the widely popular franchises “Got Talent” and “The X Factor while also being the visionary who created and currently holds full ownership of the renowned British entertainment house, “Syco.”
Cowell has amassed immense wealth throughout his career, adding hundreds of millions of dollars to his name. His financial success can largely be attributed to the resounding victory of his TV franchises, like “America’s Got Talent” and “Pop Idol.”
During his conversation with Clarkson, the father of one expressed how he thought he would never feel genuine love for anyone ever again after losing his parents.
Nevertheless, his journey of becoming a savvy businessman didn’t come to fruition overnight, as it took considerable time and experience to harness his skills and develop his entrepreneurial acumen.
In an interview in April 2012, the British music mogul called himself a “hopeless boyfriend” in connection to his then-recent-split from fiancée Mezhgan Hussainy. The pair announced they were parting ways after being engaged for two years.
Then, in a subsequent interview in July of the same year, Cowell openly admitted that he was too old to have kids. He voiced his concerns about his inability to handle the needs and responsibilities of caring for a baby, saying he would have preferred if children were born at age five.
The “X Factor” judge also revealed that he might never marry, attributing it to his quirks and the need for personal solitude. He described himself as difficult to live with, recognizing his selfish tendencies and saying he required significant time alone.
Cowell’s inclination toward bachelorhood became all the more pronounced when he and Hussainy broke off their engagement. The TV personality called his relationship incredibly complicated and said he got caught up in the moment. He further stated:
“I’m vulnerable. It’s not on, it’s not off, it’s somewhere in the middle. I don’t know if I will ever get married, but I am happy.”
So, how did Cowell, who was unsure about marriage and commitment and thought he couldn’t cope with the demands of caring for an infant, transform from a bachelor and business mogul to a family man? Please keep reading to find out more exciting details.
Everything changed for Cowell when life presented him with another chance at love. In December 2021, he proposed to his long-time love, Lauren Silverman, and the pair were said to be planning their big day.
Cowell and Silverman first crossed paths in 2004 while vacationing in Barbados, even though the latter was married to businessman Andrew Silverman then. Years later, Silverman and Cowell began quietly dating.
In July 2013, sources reported that the duo was expecting a baby and that the Silvermans had filed for divorce. Meeting Silverman brought about a significant change in the music maestro’s life.
Before their relationship, Cowell had openly expressed his doubts about matrimony and fatherhood. But with Silverman by his side, his perspectives on these subjects underwent a massive shift.
In August 2013, the “American Idol” judge officially confirmed that he would be a dad for the first time. After weeks of speculation, the then-53-year-old Cowell expressed sheer pride in embracing parenthood, noting that although he hadn’t considered it before, he now felt ecstatic about the news.
Cowell revealed that he and his then 36-year-old partner were pregnant following rumors about their relationship and Silverman’s pregnancy circulating in the tabloid newspapers. He shared these statements on the red carpet before the London premiere of One Direction’s documentary, “This Is Us.”
After watching the Jungle Book1000 times we have moved on to the Lion King pic.twitter.com/lisb3cKqYR
— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) April 27, 2015
The music guru welcomed a boy, Eric Philip Cowell, with Silverman, whom he called “a very special girl,” on February 14, 2014. He’s named after Cowell’s late father.
Back in 2009, when Cowell was 52, he expressed reluctance toward having kids, citing concerns about the challenges and responsibilities involved. But he had a change of heart in 2012, revealing his genuine affection and love for children and his ability to engage and interact with them.
Despite dedicating his life to work and feeling that he might have missed the opportunity, Cowell’s positive stance indicated his newfound acceptance of fatherhood.
In an interview in October 2022, Cowell acknowledged how his life was all about work before he had Eric. He stated that he was obsessed with work to the point where he lost sight of the true purpose of his shows.
The telly guru said he chased ratings to the extent that he would feel low if a show didn’t perform according to his expectations. His need to stay ahead of the competition made him miserable and almost depressed.
But after Eric’s birth, Cowell was able to extract joy and meaning from his work, and he finally let go of his obsession with ratings. In other words, parenting saved him from his dark addiction to work.
Somebody likes watermelon. pic.twitter.com/QnmNu8X6yc
— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) August 17, 2015
In an earlier interview with Kelly Clarkson in May 2021, Cowell disclosed that he and his son, Eric, were busy writing books together. The ecstatic dad shared how he entertained his little boy by making up funny animals, like a “cog” or “dat”—a hybrid version of half a cat and a dog.
One day, Cowell met a book publisher and told them about his and Eric’s playtime idea. One thing led to another, and it wasn’t long before the daddy-son duo began working on their very own kids’ book series.
Cowell also confirmed this story by posting a photo with Eric on social media in February 2020, where the pair were snuggled up with their dogs and smiling at the camera.
In the caption, Cowell explained how he and Eric were working on a seven-book deal centered around “WISHFITS”—a world comprising the most magical and strange animals. The esteemed media personality noted that the proceeds would benefit two of the kids’ charities he supported.
During his conversation with Clarkson, the father of one expressed how he thought he would never feel genuine love for anyone ever again after losing his parents.
But everything changed when he saw his son’s scans for the first time and developed an attachment with him before nicknaming him “Tad.” From that moment onwards, Cowell became smitten with his son to the point that he couldn’t imagine his life without him.
Although Cowell is known for displaying a tough front and his blunt comments when judging contestants, his vulnerable and soft side only manifests around his family. Besides being a proud father to his son Eric, he’s a stepdad to Adam, his fiancée Silverman’s child from her previous marriage.
The British music master has happily accepted his stepson as a part of his lovely family, as is evident from their numerous public appearances. In April 2022, Silverman and Cowell organized the most amazing Easter party for their family and friends at their L.A. mansion and even posed for a rare photo afterward.
The adorable picture was clicked in the couple’s garden and showed Silverman standing between Cowell and then-16-year-old Adam and the young Eric positioned in front of his mom and big brother.
When Cowell was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018, he greeted his fans with a wholesome family outing alongside Silverman, Eric, and Adam, wearing white outfits for the magnificent Los Angeles-based occasion.
Adam also joined his mom and stepdad on vacation in Barbados, where they enjoyed the warmth of the Caribbean sun. Even more heartwarming was how Adam and Eric wore matching purple swimming trunks featuring adorable starfish patterns, thus creating an endearing brotherly moment.
Cowell has an estimated net worth of $550 million, which none of his kids will reportedly inherit, including his beloved son, Eric. The millionaire shared how he didn’t believe in passing his money from one generation to another but in leaving behind a legacy of empowering people and sharing his knowledge.
The “Britain’s Got Talent” judge, overjoyed to become a father to his mini-me, Eric, has raised him to be grounded while teaching him the importance of hard work.
Cowell’s wealth mainly stems from his dual roles as a talent show judge and the owner of “Syco,” a music label representing famous artists like Camila Cabello, Olly Murs, and formerly One Direction.
While his success in the music industry resulted from his hard work, his family’s strong financial position allowed him to attend prestigious independent institutions, including Dover College, where the fees ranged between several thousand pounds per term.
According to sources, Cowell’s annual earnings range from $50 million to a staggering $100 million. His substantial income is attributed to his association with the music and TV industry, both as a public figure and a behind-the-scenes person.
Being a shrewd millionaire, he has made significant investments in real estate, having previously owned luxurious properties in much-sought-after locations such as Beverly Hills and Malibu and another in the affluent Holland Park neighborhood in London.
Cowell’s staggering wealth has enabled him to champion causes close to his heart, including animal rights. He generously donated to Manchester Dogs’ Home after a harrowing fire broke out in 2014.
Furthermore, he raised awareness through a PETA video campaign about the risks of leaving dogs in hot vehicles during the summer season.
In 2013, the then-53-year-old Cowell revealed his intention to allocate his wealth to a charitable endeavor, particularly benefiting children and animals.
The philanthropist has been an ardent supporter of several charities, such as “Shooting Star Children’s Hospices” (Vice President) and organizations like “Together For Short Lives,” “The Katie Piper Foundation,” and “Linda Blair Sacred Heart Foundation.”
Cowell’s also an ambassador for “Great Ormond Street Hospital,” “The Association for Children’s Hospices,” and has been honored with Variety International’s Humanitarian Award.
He also supports initiatives like “Dr. Brandon Rogers Memorial Fund,” “Against Breast Cancer,” “The Health Lottery,” “Save The Children,” “Comic Relief,” “Battersea Dogs Home,” “RSPCA,” “The K9 Angels,” “PETA,” “Hope Sanctuary Barbados,” and “Help For Heroes.”
In August 2020, Cowell suffered a harrowing accident that turned his world topsy-turvy. He was with his son, Eric, outside their home when he toppled over his electronic bike and was reportedly thrown eight feet in the air, landing on his back.
Eric, who was filming his dad when he fell from the two-wheeler, was left traumatized. Following his E-bike horror, Cowell was bedridden for a month and sank into depression, unable to move for a long time.
In one of his interviews, the “AGT” judge said he was fortunate to survive the terrifying ordeal, given his obsession with motorbikes and how he had been pushing his luck. He also noted that he was millimeters from breaking his spine that day.
Besides his own pain, Cowell confessed to being worried sick about the accident’s impact on his young son, who witnessed everything closely. He also lamented his inability to do things with Eric, like joining him on their walks or playing football together.
Cowell considered himself grateful for being blessed with Silverman and Eric, saying their incredible support helped him recover. He explained that he had a titanium rod and numerous screws in his back, joking about how they made him feel like part robot.
Following his brush-off with death, Cowell made significant changes to his lifestyle. He allegedly lost 42 pounds and attributed his slim figure to healthy eating and drinking sufficient water. The star judge also credited his weight loss to cycling on his E-bikes, even though his 2020 accident left him in a back brace.
In a bid to enhance his overall well-being after being almost left in a wheelchair, Cowell quit smoking after years of puffing away as many as 40 cigarettes a day.
At 63, Cowell has nothing but gratitude and love for his family, including his son, Eric. “Being a dad is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I love every second I spend with him. So then I’m thinking the next step is he’s going to be a teenager,” he added.
On another occasion, the television producer highlighted the importance of being fit for his son. He expressed:
“I am 64 this year, and Eric’s nine . . . and when I’m playing football with him, my God, I have to get fit just to play with him. His energy is off the chart, it really, really is.”
Cowell, who loves his son immensely, revealed how he started calling him “Iron Man” after learning his dad had a steel rod in his back.
The proud father disliked the notion of never being able to revisit the precious moments he shared with Eric during their early years. At the same time, he expressed a strong desire to relive that beautiful phase by welcoming another child into his life.
Today, Cowell is a successful media person, a music virtuoso, and a happy family man, reveling in the joy of fatherhood and leading a beautiful life with his gorgeous fiancée by his side.