Before his shocking passing, Liam Payne was in a relationship with a much older woman, and the pair welcomed a son together. Take a closer look at the former couple’s relationship, including what the singer had to say about co-parenting with his ex.
Liam Payne rose to global fame as a member of One Direction, captivating fans with his voice and charm. After finding success with the band, he also found love with a woman from his past who was ten years older.
Liam Payne at We Day UK on March 6, 2019, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The couple seemed serious for years, welcoming a son and sparking marriage rumors when Payne often referred to her as his wife. Meet the stunning brown-eyed brunette who Payne said was “literally the best person to co-parent with” even though their romance did not last.
The Tragic Loss of Liam Payne
Payne tragically passed away after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The incident occurred at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, where Payne was staying during his vacation.
Liam Payne photographed on March 1, 2024, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
According to witnesses, the accident happened shortly after 5 p.m., following concerning behavior from the singer earlier in the hotel lobby. Reports indicated that Payne, who was visibly distressed, smashed his laptop before hotel staff helped him return to his room.
One Direction fans gathered outside CasaSur Palermo Hotel to sing the band’s songs and leave candles following Liam Payne’s passing on October 16, 2024, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. | Source: Getty Images
Sources close to the situation revealed that the singer had been vacationing in Argentina since late September with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy. The couple had shared joyful moments on social media, but Cassidy departed on October 14, leaving Payne to continue the trip alone.
Police outside CasaSur Palermo Hotel following Liam Payne’s tragic death on October 16, 2024, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. | Source: Getty Images
Cassidy took to TikTok to document her trip to Miami, revealing that she was relieved to be back home. Hours before the accident, Payne’s last social media post was a video he shared on Snapchat with her.
The clip showed the behind-the-scenes moments from his time in Argentina, seemingly enjoying the picturesque destination. His untimely passing sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, with fans mourning the loss of the talented star.
Liam Payne at Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball 2019 on December 7 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Inside Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole’s Love Story – From ‘Wife’ to Co-Parent
Payne is survived by his family and son, Bear, who was born in 2017 with his former partner, Cheryl Cole. The couple joyfully welcomed their baby boy, with Payne sharing his happiness on Instagram, calling it a moment he would cherish forever.
Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole at the Fayre of St James’s hosted by Quintessentially Foundation and the Crown Estate in aid of Cheryl’s Trust in support of The Prince’s Trust on November 29, 2016, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Cole, a renowned British singer and television personality, also expressed her excitement, announcing that Bear was born on March 22, weighing seven pounds and nine ounces.
Payne later thanked fans for their outpouring of love, sharing on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Thank you to everyone for the love and supportive messages for myself and @CherylOfficial ❤ It really means a lot.”
Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne photographed on April 12, 2016, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Cole, ten years Payne’s senior, rose to fame as a member of the pop group Girls Aloud. She later became a household name as a judge on “The X Factor,” the very show that launched Payne’s career in 2010 and where the pair met.
Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne at the Global Gift Gala on May 9, 2016, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
However, their relationship wouldn’t begin until 2016, following Payne’s rise to stardom with One Direction. The couple’s first red carpet appearance was the same year at the Global Gift Gala. Payne shared a selfie of the two on X, captioning the post, “So proud of her tonight. Such a special award #GlobalGiftGala.”
Though their age difference sparked media attention, those close to him, like his ex-girlfriend Danielle Peazer, were not surprised. Peazer, who also dated Payne despite a five-year age gap, stated, “Love is love. Happiness is happiness. You just want people to be happy. They both seem happy; obviously, I don’t know her, but I’m happy for them.”
Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne spotted on March 9, 2016, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Payne’s ex-girlfriend added, “I wasn’t shocked when it came out because they’re in the same industry. Maybe if he started going out with Theresa May, I’d be like ‘Woah!’ That would be a shock. I’m five years older than him so I know that he maybe has a thing for age gaps. I mean look at her, I’d go out with her!'”
Throughout their time together, Payne occasionally referred to Cole as his wife. In an interview, the “Strip That Down” singer mentioned working on music with Pharrell and Timbaland and reportedly said, “I have something that I’m preparing with Timbaland and I was writing with Pharrell when his wife was pregnant along with my wife for that matter.”
Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole at the Chopard Trophy Ceremony at the annual 69th Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 2016, in Cannes, France. | Source: Getty Images
It was not the first time Payne called Cole his wife, as the singer joked in an interview with Sirius XM, “I left my wife and child at home and I was straight out to In-N-Out Burger.”
Liam Payne, Cheryl, Sam Smith, and Jessie Ware at the Universal Music BRIT Awards afterparty on February 21, 2018, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Though Payne never officially confirmed their marriage, his use of the term in interviews led many to believe that the two had quietly tied the knot. However, by 2018, Payne and Cole decided to part ways. In a heartfelt social media post, he stated, “Cheryl and I are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways.”
“It’s been a tough decision for us to make. We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together,” the post continued.
Following their breakup, Payne praised his ex for being a wonderful co-parent, revealing, “I mean, Cheryl is literally the best person to co-parent with. No stress involved. It’s very, very relaxed, and we spend a lot of time on FaceTime.”
“And it’s been really lovely, and I’m closer to them than I’ve ever been before, actually, which is really, really nice,” the former One Direction member added.
Despite their separation, Payne remained deeply involved in his son’s life, ensuring that he spent quality time with his child every week. “I see him two times a week, three times a week sometimes,” he said.
The singer shared that video calls had become a routine part of their father-son relationship, with Payne often going the extra mile to ensure his child felt his presence. “[…] I make sure when I see him, he has 100 percent of my time,” Payne revealed.
Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne at The BRIT Awards 2018 on February 21, 2018, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Liam Payne’s sudden passing left a profound impact on those who knew and loved him, but his legacy as a talented artist and devoted father endures. While his life was tragically cut short, his memory will live on through his music, the fans who adored him, and most importantly, his family.
