As the King of Saturday night TV and the man everyone loves to hate, the Simon Cowell Net Worth is a number that can make your eyes water. Words by James Thomasen.
Who is Simon Cowell?
Arguably one of the most recognisable faces on the planet. Simon Cowell is a regular guest in millions of homes across the UK on Saturday nights. Perhaps most known as TV’s “Mr Nasty” Cowell has forged himself an impressive career as a music producer, TV personality, philanthropist and entrepreneur but is best known for being a judge on the X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.
Born in Lambeth, London on 7th October 1959. His parents Julie Brett – a ballet dancer and socialite and Eric Selig Philip Cowell, an estate agent, property developer and music industry executive. Cowell’s beginnings are a far cry from the luxurious lifestyle he enjoys today.
Leaving school at 16 with O levels in English Literature, and Sociology, Cowell then did a few menial jobs. Jobs that allegedly included working as a runner on Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. Cowell’s destined career began as a result of his father’s influence at EMI-Music-Publishing landing him a job in the mailroom.
Career
After various attempts to start his own record company in the 1980’s which included the short-lived E&S music, Cowell’s first hit single came in 1986 with previous partner and frequent X Factor guest Sinitta with “So Macho.”
Cowell undoubtedly became a household name in 2001 when he appeared as a judge on the first series of Pop-Idol. A show he successfully pitched to ITV with series creator Simon Fuller, that launched the careers of Gareth Gates and Will Young. It is, however, the X Factor and Britain’s-Got-Talent that continued to elevate Cowell to new levels of fame and wealth.
Net Worth
Forbes estimates that Cowell earned $43.5 million in 2017 from his TV ventures alone. Making him the fifth richest TV host behind Dr Phil, Ellen DeGeneres, Ryan Seacrest and Judge Judy Sheindlin. After consolidating all his earnings from his entire portfolio of business ventures, his annual earnings regularly exceed $95 million.
His actual net worth is said to be roughly $550 million.