Liam Payne’s ex-girlfriend, Cheryl, is determined to raise their kid in a different way. The One Direction member tragically died after a fatal fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina last October.
His death sent shockwaves through the industry. His fellow bandmates and fans were visibly shaken by his sudden passing. The singer left behind an 8-year-old son, whom he had with his ex, Cheryl.
Now, she is trying her utmost to protect their son from the burden and weight of his father’s sudden death. According to Radar Online, Cheryl, who is also a singer, plans on teaching their son, Bear, how to lead a different life from his father. She doesn’t want him near drugs that led to Liam’s untimely demise.
Notably, Payne left behind a massive fortune totaling $32.5 million. However, since he didn’t leave a will, his family was plunged into a storm of legal challenges. According to UK law, his 8-year-old son will be the sole beneficiary of his estate, with Cheryl and their attorney administering until Bear becomes an adult.
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However, Cheryl is adamant about keeping her son away from the money for as long as possible. The wealth is now being put into a trust so he won’t have access until he is 25.
“He is not going to use that money to lie around and end up like his poor dad,” she reportedly said. According to sources close to the singer, managing everything, while also securing the future of her son, Bear Pyne, has been stressful for her.
8 years ago, Cheryl gave us the first ever pic of Liam with their son Bear 🤍 pic.twitter.com/Qr1EdWM3qH
— liam payne archive (@archivsliam) March 26, 2025
“She’s completely overwhelmed. This is the last thing she ever thought she’d be facing,” said one insider.
They added, “The scale of the money, the legal red tape, the pressure – it’s massive. She’s scared of making a mistake. All she wants is to shield Bear, not just from people who might take advantage, but from the weight of growing up with so much too soon.”
Liam Payne and Cheryl had a few good years of a fairytale romance. They first encountered each other in 2008, when the deceased singer was a participant and his now ex-girlfriend was a judge on The X Factor.
In 2016, they began dating, and a year later, the pair decided to start a family with Bear. However, their love story ended in 2018, breaking the hearts of many fans who had been rooting for the couple. Despite parting ways, they remained closed co-parents until Payne passed away.
In 2017, Liam Payne became a father.
Liam Payne and Cheryl first met on The X Factor, long before they began dating.
