Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman first crossed paths in 2004 and have a son together.
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Simon Cowell is officially an engaged man!
The America’s Got Talent judge proposed to his longtime partner, Lauren Silverman, in December 2021, and the couple is now in the process of planning their wedding.
Cowell and Silverman first met in 2004 during a vacation in Barbados, although at the time, Silverman was married to businessman Andrew Silverman. Over the years, the two began seeing each other in secret, and by July 2013, PEOPLE confirmed that they were expecting a child together, while Silverman had filed for divorce.
Meeting Silverman marked a significant turning point for the British television personality. Before their relationship, Cowell had publicly expressed uncertainty about ever wanting to marry or have children.
However, after welcoming their son, Eric, in 2014, Cowell admitted that fatherhood had become an incredibly fulfilling experience.
“From the moment I saw the scan, I was like ‘That is it, I’m besotted.’ Now I just cannot imagine my life without him,” Cowell shared in an interview with Kelly Clarkson. “He’s the most amazing thing that ever happened to me. I adore him.”
From the arrival of their son to their beachside engagement in Barbados, here’s everything to know about Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman’s relationship.
Early 2004: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman meet in Barbados.
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Chris Jackson/Getty
Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman first crossed paths in 2004 while in Barbados. At the time, Silverman, an entrepreneur and socialite, was on vacation with her then-husband, with whom she shares a son.
Cowell and Silverman maintained a friendly relationship for several years as Cowell continued to date other women. From 2002 to 2008, he was in a relationship with entertainment journalist Terri Seymour, and he was later engaged to makeup artist Mezghan Hussainy from 2010 to 2011.
May 2012: Rumors Surface About Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman’s Affair
In May 2012, rumors began to swirl that Cowell and Silverman were involved in a romantic relationship. Cowell’s lawyer initially denied the rumors, stating in a statement, “Any implication or statement that my client is engaged in adultery and has allegedly broken up the marriage of Ms. Silverman is not only false but reckless.”
July 2013: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman Expecting a Baby Together.
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Alan Chapman/FilmMagic
In 2013, multiple sources confirmed to PEOPLE that Lauren Silverman was expecting a child with Simon Cowell. It was also reported that Silverman and her husband, Andrew, had filed for divorce. When asked for comment, Cowell’s U.K. representative stated, “This is a very sensitive issue and all media inquiries are being handled by his U.S. attorney.”
A source close to the couple shared that Silverman had been “unhappy in her marriage” for some time and was “ecstatic to be with Simon.” The source added that they had been seeing each other for several months before the news broke.
After the pregnancy announcement, Silverman’s estranged husband issued a statement, saying, “My top priority is protecting my 7-year-old son while working to resolve all outstanding issues with my wife,” and adding, “Hopefully, people can respect the interests of our child during this process.”
Silverman also released a separate statement, expressing her commitment to resolving matters amicably with Andrew for the sake of their son. She requested privacy, saying, “I would hope for some space and privacy in order to work through this.”
August 21, 2013: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman Vacation in France
After Silverman’s divorce was finalized, she and Cowell took a vacation in the South of France. A source close to Cowell told PEOPLE, “He is very pleased that her divorce is finalized, and he is excited about spending time with Lauren. He wants to make sure that she and the baby are doing okay. He is getting more and more excited about the baby.”
The couple was spotted strolling hand-in-hand along the beach as Silverman proudly displayed her baby bump.
February 14, 2014: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman Welcome Their Son
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Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman welcomed their son, Eric Philip Cowell, on February 14, 2014. The baby was named after Cowell’s late father.
March 5, 2014: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman Discuss Expanding Their Family
In March 2014, Cowell spoke with Extra about fatherhood and revealed that he and Silverman were already thinking about having more children. “I had a brother when I was younger, so I think it’s kind of cool to have two. Well, two or three,” he said.
Cowell admitted he was initially nervous about becoming a father but his fears melted away once Eric was born. “I actually said to Lauren beforehand, ‘What if I like the dogs more than him?’ and she said, ‘You’re gonna be absolutely fine,’” he recalled. “And then literally within seconds of him being born, I got it! I was born to be a dad.”
June 2, 2014: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman Make Their First Public Appearance Since Welcoming Their Son
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Dave J Hogan/Getty
Four months after the birth of their son Eric, Cowell and Silverman attended the Health Lottery Tea Party at The Savoy in London. The couple, dressed in coordinated shades of white, smiled for the cameras. This event marked their first public appearance as parents.
February 24, 2015: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman Attend the ELLE Style Awards
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Mike Marsland/WireImage
In February 2015, Cowell was honored with the Outstanding Contribution to Entertainment Award at the ELLE Style Awards. Silverman stood by his side to show her support, and the pair smiled for photos on the red carpet.
December 2015: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman Vacation in Barbados
The Cowell-Silverman family spent the 2015 holidays in Barbados. The couple enjoyed jet skiing together, and Cowell posed for pictures with fans.
February 24, 2016: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman Make Their Instagram Debut
On February 24, 2016, Cowell shared an Instagram photo of himself and Silverman holding hands at the 2016 BRIT Awards. The post marked one of the rare times Silverman made an appearance on Cowell’s account, as they typically keep their relationship private.
June 2, 2016: Simon Cowell Opens Up About Family Life with Lauren Silverman
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Two years after their son’s birth, Cowell spoke with PEOPLE about his family and how fatherhood has influenced his role as a judge on America’s Got Talent.
“Lauren is great,” Cowell said, acknowledging that becoming a father has “softened” him a bit as a judge on the NBC competition. “Having a child definitely changes your perspective because you understand how you’d feel if it was your son up there,” he explained.
He also shared that his son is “exactly like me when I was younger,” adding, “He’s so cheeky, and he knows exactly how to get me wrapped around his little finger.”
August 22, 2018: Simon Cowell expresses gratitude to Lauren Silverman at Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony
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Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
In August 2018, Cowell was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was accompanied by Silverman, their son Eric, and Silverman’s older son Adam. The family posed for photos, and during his speech, Cowell gave Silverman a heartfelt acknowledgment.
“Lauren, you’ve been my rock for the past few years, putting up with everything I’ve gone through,” he said. “I was also thinking today about who would have gotten the biggest kick out of this—my mom and dad. They’re not here, but I feel like they’re looking down, and I can now look over at my son Eric and say, ‘Maybe one day you’ll get one of these too.’”
October 29, 2018: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman attend the Pride of Britain Awards
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Cowell and Silverman enjoyed a date night at the 2018 Pride of Britain Awards in London. The couple dressed up for the event, smiling as they walked the red carpet and posed for photos together.
August 8, 2020: Lauren Silverman helps Simon Cowell recover after bike accident
In August 2020, Cowell was hospitalized after falling off his electric bike near his and Silverman’s home in Malibu, California. He broke his back in three places and had to undergo a five-hour surgery to repair his spine.
Cowell spoke about the experience and recovery process in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE. “I was so embarrassed about coming home looking about 100 [years old] because I couldn’t walk, and I have these metal rods in my back and these screws,” he said.
“I said, ‘Lauren, I just don’t know how to explain it to [Eric],’” he continued. “She obviously said something to him because he came in … and I was lying in bed, and he said, ‘Daddy, you’re like Iron Man,’ and I thought that was the sweetest thing and it meant a lot.”
May 26, 2021: Simon Cowell says having a kid with Lauren Silverman brought out his softer side
During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Cowell discussed parenthood as well as the seven-book children’s series he had begun writing with his son.
“It’s been brilliant,” Cowell said of the book series, titled Wishfits. “I never thought I would do something like this.”
Clarkson then commented that he seemed like a “different dude” since becoming a dad, adding that she thought his “vulnerable side” had come out.
“Maybe,” Cowell responded. “After I lost my parents, I genuinely felt, Kelly, I would never feel that kind of love for anyone ever again. I thought that was it… until I saw the scan of [Eric] for the first time.”
December 24, 2021: Simon Cowell proposes to Lauren Silverman
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Ricky Vigil M/GC Images
After nearly a decade of dating, Cowell proposed to Silverman on Christmas Eve while on a family vacation in Barbados — where the couple first met.
A source told PEOPLE that Cowell surprised Silverman during a beach walk, dropping down to one knee and popping the question. Their son Eric and Silverman’s older son Adam were also present.
“They are both super happy,” the source said of the newly engaged couple. “They’ve been together a long time now and adore each other, so it’s not a huge surprise to their close friends.”
Another source told PEOPLE that Cowell and Silverman were meant to be together, calling the pair “soulmates.”
“They have fun together, as well as being each other’s rock,” the insider added. “They are both passionate about one another, but really do bring out the very best in each other. As a family, they all have such an incredible bond.”
Cowell’s brother, Tony Cowell, shared similar sentiments, telling PEOPLE, “Since having his son, Eric, with Lauren, Simon has completely changed his life and, for the first time, he appears to be happy and content.” He added that their late mother would have been “overjoyed” by the engagement news. “She always wanted him to settle down with a family. I picture her looking down and saying, ‘And about time, Simon!’”
April 8, 2022: Simon Cowell discusses wedding planning and his engagement to Lauren Silverman
A few months later, Cowell spoke about his and Silverman’s pending nuptials during an interview with The Sun, revealing that he was taking the lead on the wedding planning. “I am planning it all, otherwise I know what will happen — there will be 600 people and it’ll get out of control, like my 50th birthday party,” Cowell shared. “No one knows when it’s going to be — that’ll be a surprise, even for Lauren.”
He added, “I don’t want to have one of these ghastly wedding planners and all the arguments that happen, and who you do invite and who you don’t invite. The whole thing just seems like too much hassle.”
He also told the outlet that his son, Eric, was one of the reasons why he decided to get down on one knee.
“I’ve kind of felt myself engaged for a long time, if I’m really being honest,” he said. “Lockdown and COVID were probably make or break for many relationships. We were in the same house for over a year and I thought, ‘Well, actually, we get on really, really well.’”
He continued, “And for Eric, as he gets older, he will be asked more and more about his parents, and I thought it was the right thing to do for him.”
September 14, 2022: Simon Cowell, Lauren Silverman, and son Eric attend America’s Got Talent season 17 finale
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Cowell was joined by his fiancée and their son at the season 17 finale of America’s Got Talent. The family of three walked the red carpet together and posed for photos.
February 5, 2023: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman visit the Chelsea FC soccer club
Cowell shared photos on Instagram of him, Silverman, and their son Eric visiting the Chelsea FC soccer club.
One picture showed the family of three posing with the team’s lion mascots, while in other snaps, Eric was seen meeting soccer star Mason Mount.
“We had the best time at @chelseafc, @masonmount you are such a nice person. Thank you!” Cowell captioned the post.
April 4, 2023: Simon Cowell says planning his wedding to Lauren Silverman has been “easy”
Silverman and Cowell aren’t stressed about their upcoming nuptials. While talking to PEOPLE, the America’s Got Talent judge simply said that wedding planning has been “easy” for the couple.
Cowell added: “It depends on how big or small you make it. Don’t forget, we’ve known each other a long time, so trust me, this is not gonna be a thousand people turning up or whatever.”
