Liam Payne, the former One Direction star, left behind a staggering £24.3 million estate following his tragic death last October. The singer, who passed away at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, had a total fortune of £28.6 million, which was significantly reduced after debts and expenses were paid.
Cheryl Tweedy, Payne's ex-girlfriend and mother of his eight-year-old son Bear, has been appointed as one of the administrators of his estate, alongside music lawyer Richard Bray. The court documents reveal that the estate will likely be placed in a trust for Bear under UK intestacy laws, which dictate that estates are typically passed to a deceased person's nearest relatives.
Payne's death occurred on October 16, 2024, after he fell from the third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel. An inquest into his death confirmed the cause as 'polytrauma', indicating multiple traumatic injuries sustained during the fall. Following this incident, five individuals, including the hotel's manager and a friend of Payne, have been charged with manslaughter in connection with his death.
Cheryl, who has been vocal about her grief, described the loss as an "earth shattering event." In a heartfelt statement, she emphasized the human aspect of Payne's life, saying, "Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again." She also expressed concern for Bear's future exposure to media scrutiny, urging the public to consider the impact of their words and actions following Payne's death.
Payne's relationship with Cheryl began in 2008 when they met on The X Factor, and they welcomed Bear in March 2017. Although they split shortly after Bear's first birthday, they maintained a commitment to co-parenting. Friends have noted that Payne had made arrangements years prior to ensure his wealth would support Bear in the event of his death. A source close to the late star stated, "Liam had some very sensible people around him for a time and he adored Bear so much. He always wanted to do the right thing by him financially. It is a small consolation that Bear will never want for anything, that he will at least benefit from that."
Despite being in a relationship with influencer Kate Cassidy at the time of his death, the absence of a will means she may not inherit anything from his estate. Reports indicate that she and Payne had plans to marry shortly after his passing, and she shared that he had given her a note detailing their future together. In her grief, Cassidy described Payne as her "best friend, the love of my life," revealing that they had written messages to each other expressing their hopes for a shared future.
Before his death, Payne had put his £3.2 million five-bedroom mansion in Buckinghamshire up for sale, a property he purchased to be closer to Bear. He had moved into a rented mansion in Florida with Cassidy just weeks prior to his passing, a home that boasted luxurious amenities and was located in an exclusive gated community known for its equestrian sports.
Payne's funeral, held in November 2024, was attended by Cheryl, Bear, and fellow One Direction members Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, along with family and friends. The singer had previously struggled with substance abuse but had reportedly achieved sobriety in 2023. Tragically, he relapsed shortly before his death, consuming alcohol and drugs during a night out.
As the legal proceedings surrounding his estate unfold, the implications of his lack of a will have left many questions about the distribution of his fortune. Under UK rules of intestacy, since Payne was never married, his estate is likely to be directed primarily to Bear. However, he will not gain access to the funds until he reaches adulthood, meaning the money will be held in trust until he is 18 years old.
In light of these developments, Cheryl's poignant reflections on Liam's life and legacy serve as a reminder of the complexities surrounding fame, family, and loss. She has called for greater sensitivity in media reporting, urging people to consider the emotional toll such coverage can take on those left behind.
As fans continue to mourn the loss of the beloved pop star, the focus now shifts to ensuring that Bear is supported and cared for in the years to come, fulfilling the legacy of a father who adored him immensely.
