Simon Cowell is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable names in the music industry, earning millions over the years thanks to his talent and business acumen. Without Simon and his reality shows focused on discovering new musical talent, we might never have heard of groups like One Direction or stars like Kelly Clarkson.
Simon began his career as a music producer, consultant, and scout in the 1980s, but rose to fame in 2001 as a judge on Pop Idol. The show was a massive hit, and Simon expanded his influence by creating The X Factor and Got Talent franchises, which are now enjoyed in countries all around the globe. Despite his business success, Simon faced significant challenges in recent years, including two major accidents. First, he fell down the stairs, and later, he suffered a serious back injury after an electric scooter accident.
The accident that required back surgery left Simon shaken, and he has since warned others about the dangers of electric bikes. “The one I had was basically a motorcycle with an electric engine—you have to wear a proper crash helmet and leathers. This thing was nuts,” he said. “I didn’t realize how powerful it was before I got on it, and I flew 6-8 feet in the air and landed on my spine.”
In his personal life, Simon is known for his charity work and love for animals. He has been with his girlfriend, Lauren Silverman, since 2013, and the couple has a son, Eric, born in 2014. Their relationship attracted attention as it began during Lauren’s marriage to Simon’s close friend, Andrew Silverman.
Simon’s wealth, estimated at $600 million by Celebrity Net Worth, won’t be passed down to Eric, however. Simon has stated that he prefers to leave his fortune to charity, particularly causes related to children and animals. He believes his legacy should be in giving others opportunities to succeed, rather than simply handing down wealth. Simon and Eric share a close bond, enjoying time together watching Scooby Doo and Disney movies. Eric was named after Simon’s late father, Eric Selig Phillip Cowell, who passed away in 1999.