Simon Cowell's Son Saved Him from Being 'Really Unhappy' — Family Is 100% More Important to Him than Work Now

To the world, media mogul and one of England's most iconic TV personalities Simon Cowell seemingly had a perfect life. But behind closed doors, he was "really unhappy." This changed following the birth of his son.

For over two decades, Simon Cowell has significantly influenced the entertainment industry in the US and UK. The record executive, entrepreneur, and show creator, created outstanding talent shows such as the "Got Talent" franchises and "The X Factor."

Simon, famous for his bluntness and perfectionist attitude, also created notable music groups like One Direction and Little Mix. He loved creating ideas, projects, and music bands with unmatched success. Simon put much energy into working without adequate rest.

Interestingly, the "X Factor" creator was consumed with making history and wanted the show's rating to remain on top. To him, staying ahead in the competition mattered the most, which drove him into depression. During a heart-to-heart interview with The Sun, the TV personality admitted:

"I'm not a wall puncher but I'd tear my hair out, then be sitting there at 4am saying, 'What am I going to do?' — coming up with ridiculous ideas like the six-chair challenge."

Working overtime gave him an edge. The "X factor" show was redefined with additional content. This change was driven by ego to beat the competition, and it worked. But despite earning top ratings and praise from its audience, Simon did not enjoy it. He explained:

"I was really unhappy."

Simon's unhappiness was not hinged on the show but on its success. At the initial stage, he basked in the fulfillment that the "X Factor" show brought smiles to many.

However, as the years rolled by, pressures came in, and the need to stay on top of the success ladder drove him to obsession. Without hiding his feelings, the media mogul recalled:

"It was a time in my life where everything was great on the surface but underneath that it just wasn't fun, and not great. Everything was skewed wrong. And I never want to feel that way again."

Eventually, his son's birth ushered in the needed change. Following his initiation into fatherhood, Simon had no option but to slow down his brakes.

Although he has never been married, the TV personality enjoys family life with his only child and partner, Lauren Silverman. Let's delve into the tremendous change he has witnessed over the years.

Simon Cowell as a First-Time Father

The silver lining for the record executive was experiencing fatherhood with Silverman. Thankfully it came at the perfect time. In February 2014, Simon, one of the industry's most eligible bachelors, welcomed his first and only son, Eric Cowell.

To him, it is addictive, and coming across talented individuals inspired him to keep working.

Eric was named after his paternal grandfather, who died in 1999. Even though it took many years before Simon became committed to his present family— after his son's birth, he had a good family background. A close source revealed that he loved his parents and shared an inseparable bond with them.

The first-time dad could also replicate this admirable relationship with his offspring, but only after a while. With Eric, it took six months before the invaluable connection between father and child was ignited. In his words:

"I kept saying to Lauren, 'I don't think he likes me.' I wasn't getting a reaction. Then one day, it clicked."

Bonding was not the only significant moment he shared with the younger Cowell. Simon got his life back together as Eric's birth influenced his work schedule. According to him:

"But Eric changed everything, to be honest. After I lost my mum and my dad, you kind of think you're never going to feel that love again — that's it."

The TV personality credited his mini-me for redirecting his life, adding, "If he hadn't come along, God knows what would have happened." Almost a decade after welcoming his son, Simon is still attached to him, and rather than get caught up in work, the father-of-one prefers spending time with family. In his interview with The Sun, he shared:

"Eric is around; I don't work through the night anymore... I'm a very different man to the one I was ten years ago, thank God."

Although he is more committed to setting realistic goals with a less hectic work schedule, Simon revealed that he was not hopeful about feeling an overwhelming love before fatherhood.

Now, he is consumed with it, and while it is a seemingly beautiful experience, the media mogul claimed that loving a child "it's beyond your love for your parents. It almost hurts how much you love them."

Is Simon Cowell Consumed by Family or Work?

For the television guru, nothing beats family. He is devoted to being the best father to his 8-year-old son, but he also loves his job and intends to keep a long-lasting legacy. So far, Simon's thoughts about what type of father Eric would see him as have influenced his commitment to his job.

Despite spending more time with family, the media mogul still hopes to influence the world by helping people consolidate their careers. To him, it is addictive, and coming across talented individuals inspired him to keep working. He said:

"That feeling — that you might have found a star — is the best feeling in the world."

Indeed, the record executive is neck-deep in his business and has introduced innovative ideas over the years. His recent project is StemDrop on TikTok.

This is a new song released by Max Martin; it offers artists the chance to work and create their projects and feature others. Following the release of this project, Simon explained:

"I've learned that things take time to work. If they don't, we die trying. But the worst thing would be not doing something new because you're too afraid."

Through the years, Simon has learned to take the bulls by the horns, never allowing fear to limit his dream, and while he may have gone in too deep, he became conscious of the change needed and embraced it once fatherhood set in.