Inside Simon Cowell’s ‘Anonymous’ Life as Stay-at-Home Dad in Countryside: ‘He Won’t Even Tell Anyone Where He Lives’

• Simon Cowell used to be a TV and business mogul who didn't see himself having children.
• More recently, he has reportedly moved away from the spotlight and into the countryside as his life's focus has shifted.
• The reality TV star wants to live a quieter life and focus on his family.

Simon Cowell is best known for his no-holds-barred approach to judging on talent shows like "The X-Factor" and "America's Got Talent." He has worked in the industry for many years and, until recently, was seen as strict.

However, something that Cowell didn't expect was becoming a father, bringing with it significant changes in his life. He never wanted children, but everything changed for the reality TV star when his son was born.

Cowell began his career in the mailroom at EMI Music Publishing and gradually worked his way up to star as one of the judges on "Pop Idol" in 2001. Since then, he has served as a judge in many talent competitions.

As his career blossomed, Cowell was often asked if he would ever have children, to which he replied:

"God, no, I couldn't have children. If I had them here drawing on the walls, I'd go nuts."

In the same interview in 2009, Cowell said that he didn't want to be up at a specific time to tend to his children or listen to them when he only wanted to sit in the corner of his home and think.

However, Cowell's perspective on children changed when his son was born on Valentine's Day in 2014. Because of his previous comments, his former lovers felt betrayed by the birth of his child, including singer Sinitta, with whom Cowell had an on-again-off-again relationship.

Sinitta said that when Cowell told her he was having a child with his girlfriend Lauren Silverman and that he was looking forward to it, she wondered if she was dreaming the entire thing because of how calm Cowell was.

The singer admitted a range of emotions ran through her, but she appreciated that Cowell was worried about how she would take it, as she didn't feel that he owed her any consideration at that time.

Cowell continued working for many years after his son was born, often bringing him to special events. However, he has reportedly decided to begin slowing his professional life down.

Why Does Cowell Want To Quit Fame?

When "The X-Factor" was at its most popular, with over 14 million viewers, Cowell was enjoying his life as a wealthy and eligible bachelor for much of the time. He dined with celebrities and editors in his West London Mansion.

However, this month, he reportedly sold his roughly $57 million Holland Park home to move to the Oxfordshire countryside, as he plans to retire from show business. This comes after his fianceé, Silverman, has allegedly taken over his company, Syco.

Cowell remains a judge on ITV's "Britain's Got Talent" but currently has no other TV commitments. Instead of gracing viewers with his presence on the judging panel of their favorite talent shows, Cowell would prefer to spend time with his son.

A source said his 2020 e-bike accident left him with a severe back injury that caused a shift in his priorities. The source shared:

"He was once so keen to be in the papers that he could barely go for a walk without it being on the front of the tabloids. Now he has slunk off into obscurity – he won't even tell anyone where he lives."

The source confirmed that Cowell had once been "so in need of fame" but now seemed to hate it. He used to want to be talked and written about, but now he wants to be at home with his son as Silverman runs his company.

Cowell doesn't even see his fellow "Britain's Got Talent" judges socially anymore, apart from Amanda Holden. He only sees the other judges through her, and people close to him don't know precisely why this has happened. The source confirmed that it seemed Cowell's professional career in music and television was ending.

Cowell, 63, has now moved to the countryside in Oxfordshire as he seeks more privacy than he had at his Holland Park residence. Although he is still working occasionally in the US, a source says he is much happier with his quieter existence, sharing:

"In Holland Park, he couldn't ever step outside his door without being stopped by someone, and now he can just kick back and live a relatively anonymous life, which is what he wants."

The reality star is said to enjoy the freedom living in the countryside has afforded him. He loves his cars and can now drive them around the picturesque country lanes, something he couldn't do in Holland Park.

Cowell is also enjoying that his son, Eric, can now ride quad bikes on the grounds of their new home. The reality star has also moved his art collection and e-bikes to his new residence.

While Cowell lives in the countryside permanently, he gets occasional visitors from other famous faces with hideaways in the English countryside. The Beckhams and Prince William are just some of the people who own estates in the same area as Cowell.

The move comes after Cowell downsized his company in January last year. The company was started as a record label in 2004, but the star was said to want to focus solely on being a TV personality and laid off most of his staff.

Since then, the relationship between Cowell and ITV has petered out, and it seems he is no longer interested. Now, he is advertising a mobile puzzle game. Other than that and "Britain’s Got Talent," there seems to be nothing significant in the pipeline as Cowell reportedly moves toward retirement.

Although sources have shared their perspectives on Cowell ending his career and not wanting to be famous anymore, Cowell himself has not yet made any official announcements to that effect.