Eleven years ago, Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman had their first child, Eric Phillip Cowell. Named after the “American Idol” creator’s beloved father, Simon has often said that Eric’s birth changed his life.
“After I lost my parents, I genuinely felt … 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,” he said during a 2021 appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” “From that moment I saw the scan, I was like ‘That is it, I’m besotted.’ Now, I cannot imagine my life without him.”
Read on to learn five fast facts about Eric Phillip Cowell.
He’s Named After Simon’s Father
Eric was named after his grandfather and Simon’s father, Eric Selig Phillip Cowell. Simon and Eric were extremely close, and his death in 1999 devastated him.
“I went to Germany for a big conference,” he said on “The Diary of a CEO” podcast in 2024. “I did a big presentation and after some great news I called home. I knew something wasn’t right, I could just tell. I think someone said to my mum, ‘don’t tell Simon while he is there.'”
“I would have swapped all my success to keep him around,” the “America’s Got Talent” judge added. “They were my best friends, I told them everything. It’s like how I feel for Eric, it’s pure love.”
Simon Found New Purpose After Deep Depression
Simon’s mother, Julia, was able to meet and spend time with Eric, but she died a year later. The realization that both of his parents were gone hit him hard. He described himself as going through the motions of work and life, yet feeling as if nothing mattered.
“Particularly when I lost my mom, I was on a downward spiral at that point,” Cowell admitted.
While Simon said that he still has struggles with depression, becoming a father gave him a new perspective on life.
“It changed everything in my life. It made me happy again,” he said.
“I remember the first time I watched “[The] Jungle Book” with him, and I’m looking over and seeing the joy he had watching that movie,” he continued. “It was like, ‘Oh my God, I remember how I felt when I saw “The Jungle Book.”
“Without question [my son Eric saved me],” he admitted.
Eric Was Born on Valentine’s Day
“Very happy to say Eric was born at 17:45pm,” Simon tweeted after Eric was born on February 14, 2014. Healthy and handsome.”
Two days later, he posted the first photo of Eric, writing, “…. now you can see how very handsome little Eric is.”
“I was born to be a dad,” Simon told “Extra TV” in his first interview after Eric was born. He explained how he had spoken to Lauren the morning of February 14. While she was in the U.S., he was in Britain filming “Britain’s Got Talent.” A couple of hours later, Lauren called him to say that she was in labor.
“So we had to find a flight, and I got there with two hours to spare,” he said.
He Has a Big Brother, Adam
While Eric is Lauren and Simon’s first child, she has a son, Adam, with her ex-husband, Andrew Silverman. Born in 2006, he’s eight years older than Eric. Adam isn’t in the spotlight as much as his little brother, but he does show up in family photos.
GettyHe Wants to be in a Rock Band
While Eric has appeared with his dad on “Britain’s Got Talent” and even gave a contestant the coveted Golden Buzzer, many wondered whether he’d follow in his dad’s footsteps when he’s older. But Eric doesn’t want to be a judge when he’s older; he’d rather be on the stage.
“Now [he’s] decided he’s going to audition for “Britain’s Got Talent,” Simon told “Entertainment Tonight” in 2023. I think he wants to be in a rock band. He loves Green Day.” He also revealed that Eric already plays the drums.
“But he’s really serious about it,” he continued. “I don’t know what it is. Maybe because all these kids are auditioning and now he wants to be up there with his friends… I think, hopefully, he’ll be sitting there in ten or less years’ time.”
