Liam Payne’s entire estate will go to his former partner Cheryl Tweedy and their young son Bear after the singer died unexpectedly last year without leaving a will.
Payne, a former member of One Direction, passed away at the age of 31 following a tragic fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The singer was staying at the CasaSur Palermo when the fatal incident occurred in October 2024. A UK coroner later confirmed that he died of multiple injuries consistent with a severe fall. Payne had been in Argentina on a short private visit when the accident happened.
At the time of his passing, Payne had built up a personal fortune of just over £28 million through music, tours, and endorsements. After settling outstanding debts and costs, the remaining estate was valued at around £24.3 million. Since he did not prepare a will before his death, UK intestacy laws came into effect, determining how his estate would be distributed.
Court filings show that Cheryl Tweedy, who shares an eight-year-old son with Payne, was named as one of the administrators of his estate. Alongside her, a top UK entertainment lawyer was also appointed to manage the distribution of Payne’s assets. Payne and Cheryl met back in 2008 during an audition round of The X Factor. Their romantic relationship began years later and led to the birth of their son Bear in 2017.
Under current British law, Payne’s estate would typically pass to a spouse or direct blood relative. As he was unmarried at the time, and Bear is his only child, it is expected that the majority of the inheritance will be held in a trust for Bear until he becomes an adult. Cheryl is anticipated to oversee the trust, ensuring financial security for their son.
In the final years of his life, Payne was romantically involved with influencer Kate Cassidy, whom he met in 2022. Despite being in a relationship with Cassidy, there is no legal claim from her to his estate under intestacy rules, since they were not married or in a civil partnership.
Following the announcement of his death, Cheryl released a heartfelt message expressing her grief. She described Payne not just as a celebrity, but as a loving father, friend, and family member, and said her priority now is helping their son cope with the loss of his father.
Liam Payne’s untimely death has left fans across the world in mourning, and raised broader questions about the importance of estate planning, especially for those in high-risk professions or lifestyles. His legacy, however, lives on through his music and through his son, who now inherits both his fortune and memory.