Becoming a father transformed Simon Cowell’s life in ways he never expected. The America’s Got Talent judge and his fiancée, Lauren Silverman, welcomed their son, Eric Philip Cowell, in February 2014 — a moment Cowell says completely reshaped his priorities, softened his famously tough persona, and gave him a newfound sense of purpose.
Cowell has openly shared how deeply fatherhood has impacted him. Speaking on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2021, he revealed that after losing both of his parents, he believed he would never again feel that level of love — until he saw the first scan of his son. “From that moment, I was besotted,” he said. “I can’t imagine my life without him.”
Viewers recently saw even more of this father-son bond in the Netflix documentary Simon Cowell: The Next Act, released on Dec. 10, where the music mogul calls becoming a dad “the best thing that ever happened” to him.
Here’s a full look into who Simon Cowell’s son, Eric Cowell, is, and why he means so much to the entertainment icon.
Eric Cowell’s Birthday
Eric arrived on Feb. 14, 2014, making Valentine’s Day especially significant for Cowell. The longtime TV judge has said he instantly connected with his newborn son, admitting that although he was nervous about fatherhood, it all “clicked” immediately.
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“I was born to be a dad,” Cowell shared just weeks after Eric’s birth.
Eric Cowell is Named after Who?
Eric is named in honor of Simon’s late father, Eric Cowell, with whom the star shared a profound bond. According to Cowell’s longtime publicist, the TV mogul has always wanted to recreate the same deep father-son relationship he experienced growing up.
Eric also has an older half-brother, Adam, from Lauren Silverman’s previous marriage. The blended family is close, often celebrating holidays and milestones together.
Cowell has hinted at wanting to expand his family, admitting in 2023 that he had been thinking about having another child.
How Eric Cowell Changed Simon Cowell’s Life
Before becoming a father, Cowell admitted his life revolved almost entirely around work. But Eric shifted everything.
“Before Eric, my life was 99 percent work,” he said. “If he hadn’t come along, God knows what would have happened.”
Cowell has been candid about how Eric helped him heal from the loss of both of his parents. In a 2025 interview, he shared that fatherhood “saved” him during a difficult emotional period, bringing back a sense of love and purpose that he thought he had lost forever.
Eric has also pushed his father toward healthier habits — especially when it comes to smoking. Cowell joked that his son had become the “strict teacher” in the house, keeping him accountable and encouraging him to quit for good.
Thanks to Eric’s persistent reminders, Cowell said he came close to breaking the habit entirely.
Though Cowell and Silverman generally keep Eric’s life private, he occasionally steps into the spotlight. Eric has attended several red-carpet events, including America’s Got Talent finales, where he supports his dad from the front row.
Cowell has described Eric as his personal “barometer” during live shows — if his son is excited, he knows the audience is too.
In 2022 and again in 2024, Eric appeared alongside his parents at AGT tapings, proving he’s already comfortable in front of cameras.
What is Eric Cowell’s Dream?
One of Eric’s biggest passions is music — particularly playing the drums. Cowell has shared that his son loves rock music, especially Green Day, and even once announced he wanted to audition for Britain’s Got Talent.
“That would be torture,” Cowell joked. “He plays drums and sings!”
Still, Cowell later admitted he hopes Eric never auditions for one of his shows, even though he believes Eric has real rhythm and skill.
In 2025, during a moving BGT episode featuring a drummer born without arms, Cowell mentioned that Eric would “watch the performance over and over,” reaffirming his son’s dedication to the instrument.
