May 08, 2025: Cheryl Cole, the former partner of late singer-songwriter Liam Payne and mother of his son, has been appointed as the administrator of his $32.2 million estate, following his untimely death last year without a legal will.
According to court documents filed on May 1, Cole and attorney Richard Mark Bray were officially named as co-administrators of Payne’s estate, as reported by the New York Post. The One Direction star died on October 16, 2024, at the age of 31, after a fatal fall from the third-floor balcony of the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Payne, who dated Cole from 2014 to 2016, shared an eight-year-old son, Bear, with the pop star. Legal filings estimate the gross value of Payne’s UK estate at approximately $38 million, with a net value of $32.2 million.
As administrators, Cole and Bray are tasked with managing the estate’s assets, though current court orders limit their authority, preventing any immediate distribution of the wealth. Under UK law, when someone dies intestate—without a will—their children typically inherit the estate, particularly if no spouse or civil partner is involved.
Following his passing, the music industry mourned the loss of the beloved artist. Tributes poured in from fans and fellow musicians around the world. His funeral was held in Buckinghamshire in November, attended by close friends and family.
In December 2024, Argentinian authorities charged five individuals in connection with Payne’s death. Officials confirmed suicide was ruled out as a cause. Toxicology reports and witness statements indicated that drug use played a role in the events leading up to his fatal fall.
Cole addressed the tragedy publicly in an emotional statement on Instagram:
“As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d 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 son, who now has to face the harsh reality of never seeing his father again,” she wrote. “I am begging you,” she added, appealing for empathy and privacy.
Payne’s legacy continues to resonate with fans, as the world remembers him not just for his musical success, but also for his role as a devoted father, friend, and artist.