Bear, the son of Liam Payne and his former girlfriend, British singer Cheryl Cole, is the sole beneficiary of Payne's 29 million USD estate, equivalent to over 760 billion VND. Payne passed away at age 31 in 10/2024, after falling from the third floor of the CasaSur Palmero hotel in Argentina. While Bear may receive an advance, the majority of the inheritance will be held in a trust until he turns 18.

Cheryl Cole posted a photo of Liam Payne with their son Bear in a tribute. *Photo: Instagram Cheryl Cole*

At the time of Liam Payne's death, documents showed his total assets in the UK were around 38 million USD, with a net worth of 32,2 million USD. According to the UK government's information portal, probate is typically granted to the spouse of the deceased. If they are not married, this right goes to the closest blood relative. The BBC also reported that if a person dies without a will, and has no legal spouse or partner, their children inherit everything. As Liam Payne died suddenly, Cheryl Cole and a lawyer were appointed as estate administrators by a court decision in 5/2025. However, their authority is limited; they are not permitted to distribute the funds.

Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne's relationship, marked by an age difference, garnered significant attention during their time together. *Photo: Instagram Cheryl Cole, Liam Payne*

Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole first met at an X Factor audition in 2008, where Cheryl was a judge for Payne's performance. The two were reported to be dating from 2016, facing public scrutiny because the former One Direction member was 10 years younger than his girlfriend, who is currently 43. In 3/2017, the couple announced the birth of their first child on Instagram. In the post, Liam Payne, then 24, said he could never forget the moment his son was born, crediting his girlfriend for making his dream a reality. In a later interview, the singer stated he always wanted to be a young father. In 2020, Payne spoke with People, sharing his reflections on fatherhood: "I had a son at a young age. You might think it's a miracle that one day you just naturally grow up and become the person you want to be. But in reality, you need to make a lot of effort to adapt. I think a dad is someone who takes care of the whole family, and that's what he needs to do. So, I think my job will be in the kitchen, cooking," he added.

In 7/2018, Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole announced their separation. Despite their romantic breakup, the couple considered themselves family and co-parented their son. "Bear is the most important thing in our lives, and we ask everyone to respect his privacy as we navigate this period," read the artists' joint post. To this day, Cheryl keeps information about their son private and has never revealed his face.

Born in 1993, Liam Payne rose to global fame after debuting with One Direction in 2010. The band formed after securing third place in the UK's X Factor competition in 2010, but disbanded in 2016. Members pursued solo careers and various projects. Payne also released several songs, though they did not achieve widespread success. His death shocked the world, as One Direction had a large fanbase and was a significant part of many people's childhoods. USA Today previously stated his passing was a "major shock" for Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012), impacting even non-fans.

An autopsy revealed Liam Payne had consumed multiple stimulants before the accident. The artist had struggled with alcohol addiction and used substances to manage his mental state. He spent time at a rehabilitation facility for addiction treatment. After Cheryl Cole, Payne dated model Maya Henry, getting engaged in 2020 but calling off the engagement two years later. At the time of the singer's death, his girlfriend was influencer Kate Cassidy.

By Phuong Thao (according to People, BBC)