Liam Payne vowed to leave multi-million pound legacy to 'mini-me' son Bear
Liam Payne had seemingly promised to leave his multi-million pound legacy to his seven year old son Bear, before his tragic death at 31. The former One Direction star welcomed his son with Cheryl in 2017. The couple went their separate ways in July 2018, however, continued to co-parent their son together.
Opening up about co-parenting on a podcast with YouTuber Logan Paul in 2022, Liam, whose career success had reportedly amassed him a staggering £46 million fortune, spoke about his plans to leave his money to his son, who he had referred to as his 'mini me'. The Wolverhampton born singer said: "My life now is his, my money is his."
"I have actually got several companies that are up and running that I know he can run one day if he wants to or [he can sell them]." Continuing to speak about his son on the podcast, Liam said he was a "lovely boy" and described being a dad as "the coolest thing,” as he described Girls Aloud star Cheryl as "the best mum in the world".
On Friday night, Cheryl broke her social media silence after Liam’s tragic death from falling from a third-fall balcony in his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Taking to her 3.6 million Instagram followers, the former X Factor judge shared a touching snap of both Liam and a baby Bear lying together on a bed, and said: "As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, Id like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being.
"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 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.
She continued: "What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.
"I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces. Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them.
"Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last,” she concluded, before signing off: "Thank you, Cheryl."
Liam and Cheryl first crossed paths at his first X Factor audition in 2008 when he was just fourteen years old. At the time, Cheryl told a young Liam: "I like you, I think you're really cute. I think you've got charisma - you give us that little cheeky wink," before advancing him to the next round.
The pair became reacquainted with at The X Factor final in December 2015, which is thought to have sparked their romance. Five months later, they made their made their red carpet debut as a couple at the Global Gift Gala in May 2016. They welcomed their son Bear Grey Payne in March 2017, 16 months before going their separate ways.
