Simon Phillip Cowell is a famous English reality television judge who also serves as a producer. He is also an entrepreneur and philanthropist. Cowell is best known for his role as a judge on several British television reality talent competition series’ such as Britain’s Got Talent, The X Factor and Pop Idol. His judging style made a favourite with American viewers as well and Simon was named a judge on American reality competitions like ‘American Idol’, ‘America’s Got Talent’ and the American version of ‘The X Factor’. He is also the Founder and SEO of Syco, a British entertainment company.
Cowell, who is known or his blunt, controversial comments, insults and wisecracks directed towards contestants has also produced and promoted singles and music albums for several of the contestants and played a crucial role in the formation of the music band ‘One Direction’. In 2004 and 2010, Cowell was named in the world’s 100 most influential people list by Time Magazine while The Daily Telegraph named Cowell 6th in their “100 most powerful British people list.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Education
Cowell was born in Lambeth, London, on 7 October 1959 as the older son of ballet dancer and socialite Julie Brett (née Josie Dalglish) and music executive and estate agent developer Eric Selig Phillip Cowell. He has one biological sibling, a younger brother named Nicholas Cowell and four half-siblings from his father’s prior marriage, brothers Tony, John and Michael Cowell and sister June Cowell. Cowell has English ancestry on his mother’s side and Polish ancestry on his fathers. While his father was a Jew, his mother was a Christian.
Cowell studied at the Radlett Preparatory School and later attended the independent Dover College, but took the GCE O levels and left, passing English Language and Literature. He enrolled into Windsor Technical College and gained a GCE in Sociology. He later worked at EMI music where his father was an executive.
Career Rise
Cowell was hired on his father’s recommendation, by EMI Music Publishing as a mail room clerk where he started developing an interest in music and by 1979, Cowell became an A & R executive assistant. During the 1980’s Cowell along with his partner Iain Burton, formed Fanfare Records and the company produced hit singles like ‘Toyboy’ and ‘So Macho’. After the company was closed in 1980, Cowell joined BMG as an A&R Consultant where he was responsible for scouting talents and finding new artists, which resulted in the introduction of artist duo Robson & Jerome.
Cowell started his career as a reality television judge with the British TV music competition ‘Pop Idol’ that aired on ITV and he soon gained notoriety for being blunt in his criticisms towards the contestants. In 2002, Cowell collaborated with Sony Music Entertainment to form Syco Entertainment which produces shows like ‘Got Talent’ and ‘The X Factor’ while also dealing with music, TV and digital content. He was a judge on ‘American Idol’ from 2002 to 2010. In 2004, Cowell started judging ‘The X Factor’, which he also created. The show’s phenomenal success resulted in the creation of several international versions and the creation of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ which allowed performers from various streams, including music, magic, acting etc to participate. ‘Got Talent’ was also made in an franchise and airs in several countries.
Wife and Children
Cowell dated Mezhgan Hussainy, a make-up artist and got engaged to her in 2010. The couple called off their engagement in 2011. He then started dating actress Carmen Electra in 2012 but soon broke up with her.
The 1.75 meter tall Cowell was involved in an adulterous relationship with Lauren Silverman while she was married to Andrew Silverman. Their relationship was a great source of media coverage in 2013 with Silverman’s husband naming Cowell as the reason for their split in their divorce proceedings. Silverman, who had one child with her husband, became pregnant with Cowell’s child and in February 2014, gave birth to their son Eric. Silverman started living with Cowell post her divorce and the couple are still together.
Simon Cowell – Net Worth and Salary
Cowell has an estimated net worth of $550 Million. One of the wealthiest people in the UK, his annual salary is an estimated $95 million.