Photo: Jeff Spicer/Getty
Simon Cowellis an engaged man!
TheAmerica’s Got Talentjudgeproposedto his longtime loveLauren Silvermanin December 2021, and the couple are currently planning their wedding.
Cowell and his fiancée first met in 2004 while on vacation in Barbados, although Silverman was married to businessmanAndrew Silvermanat the time. Years later, Cowell and Silverman began quietly seeing each other and in July 2013, PEOPLE confirmed thatthe couple were expecting a childtogether and that the Silvermans had filed for divorce.
Meeting Silverman was clearly a game-changer for the British television personality — prior to their relationship, Cowell had made public statements about not knowing if he ever wanted to get married or have kids.
Sincewelcoming their son Eric in 2014, however, Cowell has said heloves being a father.
“From that moment I saw the scan, I was like ‘That is it, I’m besotted.’ Now I just cannot imagine my life without him,” Cowell said of his son during an interview withKelly Clarkson. “He’s the most amazing thing that ever happened to me. I adore him.”
From welcoming a son together to their beach engagement in Barbados, here is 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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Cowell and Silvermanfirst met in 2004in Barbados. Silverman, an entrepreneur and socialite, was on vacation with her then-husband, whom she shares one son with.
May 2012: Rumors circulate that Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman are having an affair
In May 2012, rumors began to surface that Cowell and Silverman were in a relationship. Cowell’s lawyer initially denied the rumors and said 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.”
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A source also told PEOPLE that Silverman had been “unhappy in her marriage” for a while and that she was “ecstatic to be with Simon.” The source added that the pair had been seeing each other for more than a few months.
After the pregnancy news broke, Silverman’s estranged husbandreleased a statement. “My top priority is protecting my 7-year-old son while working to resolve all outstanding issues with my wife,” he said, adding, “hopefully people can respect the interest of our child during this process.”
In a separate statement, Silverman said, “I am committed to sorting things out with Andrew as amicably as possible to ensure the well-being of our son. 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
February 14, 2014: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman welcome a son
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The couple welcomed a son,Eric Philip Cowell, on Feb. 14, 2014. He was named after Cowell’s late father.
March 5, 2014: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman want to have more kids
In March 2014, Cowell opened up to Extra about fatherhood and shared that he and Silverman had already begun discussing 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 also shared that he was initially nervous about becoming a father, but said that quickly changed 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,’ " the formerAmerican Idoljudge 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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Four months after welcoming Eric, Cowell and Silverman attended the Health Lottery Tea Partyat The Savoy inLondon. The couple coordinated in shades of white and smiled for photos. The event marked their first public appearance together as parents.
February 24, 2015: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman attend theELLEStyle Awards
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December 2015: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman vacation in Barbados
The Cowell-Silverman familyspent the 2015 holidays together in Barbados. The pair were spotted jet skiing before Cowell posed with fans for pictures.
February 24, 2016: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman make their Instagram debut
On Feb. 24, 2016, Cowellposted an Instagram photoof himself and Silverman holding hands at the 2016BRIT Awards. The post marked one of the rare occasions Silverman has made an appearance on Cowell’s account, as the couple typically keep their relationship very private.
June 2, 2016: Simon Cowell opens up about family life with Lauren Silverman
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Two years after the birth of their son, Cowell gave PEOPLE an update on his family and shared howfatherhood has changed his demeanoronAmerica’s Got Talent.
“Lauren is great,” Cowell said, before admitting that having a kid has “softened” him up a bit as a judge on the NBC competition show. “There’s no question when you actually have a kid, it does make you feel different because you understand how you would feel if it was your son up there,” he shared.
He added of his son, “He’s exactly like me when I was younger, he’s so cheeky, and he knows how to get me wrapped around his little finger.”
August 22, 2018: Simon Cowell thanks Lauren Silverman at Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony
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“Lauren, you’ve been my rock for the past few years, put up with everything I put up with,” he said. “I suppose one thing I was also thinking about today was who would have got a bigger kick out of this? My mom and dad. And they’re not here, but I have a feeling they’re looking down, and now I can look over to my son Eric and say, ‘Maybe one day you’ll get one of these as well.’ "
October 29, 2018: Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman attend the Pride of Britain Awards
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Cowell and Silvermanenjoyed a date night out at the 2018 Pride of Britain Awardsin London. The couple got glammed up for the occasion and smiled as they walked the red carpet and posed for pictures together.
August 8, 2020: Lauren Silverman helps Simon Cowell recover after bike accident
In August 2020,Cowell was hospitalizedafter 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 afive-hour surgeryto repair his spine.
Cowell spoke about theexperience and the recovery processin 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 onThe Kelly Clarkson Show, Cowelldiscussed parenthoodas 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, which is titledWishfits. “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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After nearly a decade of dating,Cowell proposed to Silvermanon Christmas Eve while on a family vacation in Barbados — where the couple first met.
A source told PEOPLE that Cowell surprised Silverman while on 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 weremeant 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.”
April 8, 2022: Simon Cowell discusses wedding planning and his engagement to Lauren Silverman
A few months later, Cowellspoke about his and Silverman’s pending nuptialsduring an interview withThe 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 attendAmerica’s Got Talentseason 17 finale
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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 Ericvisiting the Chelsea FC soccer club.
One picture showed the family of three posting with the team’s lion mascots, while in other snaps, Eric was shown 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, theAmerica’s Got Talentjudge simply said thatwedding 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.”
source: people.com
