Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman's relationship timeline

Publish date: 2024-06-01

The American Idol judge is planning to marry his partner of ten years in 2023

Simon Cowell has it all as he balances being the star of TV talent shows such as , , and the Got Talent franchise, along with settling into a quieter family life.

But what do we know about his and his future wife Lauren Silverman's loving relationship?

Although Simon is at home under the spotlight when judging competitions, the star chooses to keep his personal life with Lauren and their son Eric further from the public eye.

With that being said, the star has sometimes opened up about their bond to the media, such as when he spoke to at the Variety Awards in 2022.

WATCH: Simon Cowell gushes about her fiancée and son at the Variety Awards

Join as we look into everything the couple has said about their relationship, from their very first meeting almost 20 years ago to their most recent few months of wedding planning.

How did Simon Cowell meet Lauren Silverman?

judge met his future fiancée for the first time while on vacation in 2004. The British-born star and the American socialite were both visiting Barbados at the same time and staying at the Sandy Lane resort.

DISCOVER: What is Simon Cowell's net worth?

However, at the time Lauren was already married to Andrew Silverman – a close friend of the talent show judge.

MORE: Simon Cowell shares very rare photos of son Eric during sweet outing – and he's so grown up

Lauren and Simon became friends following the shared vacation, but there was no sign of an affair developing between them at this point. But several years later, the connection which they made did result in a more serious relationship.

When did Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman start dating?

Despite meeting in the early aughts, it is believed the couple only began dating in 2012. When their relationship began, Lauren was still married to Andrew.

News broke of Simon and Lauren's affair in July 2013 when the TV personality's former friend filed for divorce from his partner after learning that Lauren was expecting a baby with Simon. The talent show mogul - whose fortune is estimated at $600million - was cited as a "co-respondent" in the court papers for adultery.

While the media reported on both Lauren's pregnancy and the couple's affair, a representative for Simon released a statement saying: "This is a very sensitive issue and all media enquiries are being dealt with by his U.S. attorney." Simon has since spoken up about how he was "not proud" of the affair which started the couple's relationship.

"It is not something I am proud of or wanted to happen in terms of hurting anyone," he told the in 2014. "It just happened. You have to deal with it and man up to it. You have to accept the responsibility and the criticism."

Following Lauren's divorce, the couple travelled to France in August 2013 for a short vacation, before later making their romance official during a dinner out in London with friends. Since then the pair have enjoyed many red carpet outings together.

How many children does Simon Cowell have?

Simon has two children. He is the stepfather of Lauren's son from her previous marriage, Adam, and the father of another son called Eric, who he shares with Lauren. Eric was born on Valentine's Day 2014, after the couple had been dating for around a year and a half.

While being interviewed by the BBC in August 2013, the TV star revealed he hadn't considered having children in the past, saying: "It's something I hadn't thought of before." However, his mind evidently changed after he met Lauren.

"I'm proud to be a dad," he revealed, explaining: "Now I know I feel good about it."

During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2021, Simon revealed more about his shift in opinion, saying: "After I lost my parents, I genuinely felt, Kelly, 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."

"From that moment I saw the scan, I was like 'That is it, I'm besotted,'" he continued. "Now I just cannot imagine my life without him. He's the most amazing thing that ever happened to me – I adore him."

The star's son is now ten years old, and is growing to look ever more like his famous father. But Lauren's genes are also strong, as evidenced by how much Eric looks like his half-brother Adam, who is now 17 and already exploring college opportunities.

Is Simon Cowell married?

No, Simon and his partner of ten years are yet to tie the knot. However, on Christmas Eve 2021 the talent show judge proposed to Lauren, meaning a wedding is very much on the cards for the pair very soon.

The 63-year-old proposed to Lauren in Barbados, likely in a loving reference to the vacation 18 years ago when they first met. The event was a private one, although both Adam and Eric are believed to have been there to witness the romantic moment when Simon presented Lauren with the stunning diamond engagement ring.

Shortly after the news broke, Simon's good friend Amanda Holden confessed she was surprised that he had actually proposed to Lauren.

"Simon said he would never get married, and obviously Lauren has been by his side, and you know they've been through so much together," she said on her Heart FM radio show that week. "I think she's the one, but I don't know if she ever thought he would put a ring on it."

Speaking in February 2022, Simon revealed the couple's son Eric had a big part in coaching him towards the proposal. "One hundred percent he had to coach me. And we planned it. He was a big part of it," he told Entertainment Tonight.

He later explained how the pandemic had also contributed to his changed stance on marriage. "I think after everything all of us had gone through over the past two years, it has changed our lives in so many ways," he said. "Family is everything and that is what I kind of took away from it."

Although there were rumors to suggest the couple were aiming to we d in mid-2022, it appears the pair are still preparing for their special day one year on from their proposal. Breaking with tradition, Simon has been open about how he is the one that is planning the wedding.

Speaking with in December 2022 the star revealed: "I like to make everything spontaneous, and doing that will make it a lot more fun." As such, further news on when and how the pair will be tying the knot is hard to find.

In April 2023, he did however confidently tell reporters at the premiere taping for season 18 that planning his wedding had so far been "easy".

Does Lauren Silverman live with Simon Cowell?

Yes, Simon and Lauren live with Eric and Adam in the media mogul's impressive property portfolio. The couple divide their time between London and the US, and therefore have purchased homes in both countries.

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In London, the family live in an impressive six-bedroom mansion located in the opulent London-area of Holland Park. They also own a mansion in Wimbledon.

Meanwhile, while in the US the family split their time between impressive homes in both Malibu and Los Angeles.