As Simon Cowell approaches his 65th birthday later this year, he’s showing no signs of slowing down. The iconic TV mogul, known for his tough but fair judging on Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor, insists that retirement is not even on his radar. Instead, Cowell says he will continue working as long as he feels there’s a purpose or a need for him. In a revealing interview with Hello! magazine, he humorously remarked, “Oh god no, I’ll probably drop dead doing what I’m doing,” further emphasizing that he’s not planning to ease up on his work schedule anytime soon. Cowell, who has built a remarkable career spanning decades, made it clear that if there’s something he can do well, he’ll keep doing it—no matter his age.
Reflecting on the idea of retirement, Simon shared a deeply personal story about his late father, Eric Cowell, who was forced to retire from his job with a major company despite still feeling mentally sharp and capable. Cowell vividly recalls how difficult it was to watch his father, who had always been a driven and active individual, step away from work. “I remember the day my dad retired—it was very sad because he really didn’t want to stop working, but he had no choice,” Simon recalled. “His brain was still amazing, and he could have done that job for another 20 years.” Simon was particularly impacted by the advice his father gave him when he was younger: “If you can work for yourself, do.” This wisdom has stuck with Cowell throughout his own career, fueling his drive to create his own opportunities and projects rather than bowing to the pressures of corporate life.
Simon’s fiancée, Lauren Silverman, who shares a 10-year-old son named Eric with him, also weighed in on his work ethic. Lauren described Simon as someone who “marches to the beat of his own drum,” acknowledging that he’s always had a unique approach to both his personal and professional life. “In my own quiet way, I always talk about legacy with Simon,” she shared, explaining that they often discuss what Simon wants to leave behind after a career that has already seen massive success. Despite having already achieved so much, Lauren says she fully supports him in everything he does, encouraging him to continue pursuing his passions and projects. “I’m absolutely supportive of Simon and all the things he endeavours to do,” she said, showing her unwavering support for his career.
While Simon has been a fixture on Britain’s Got Talent for years, the interview also touched on his ongoing search for the next big talent. Recently, Simon revealed he was focused on finding the next boyband after the monumental success of One Direction, a task he seems to relish. His commitment to mentoring and discovering new talent further cements his decision not to retire anytime soon. As he continues to balance his successful career with his family life, Simon’s enthusiasm for his work shows no sign of waning, and it’s clear that he has no intention of slowing down in the years ahead.
Simon’s deep dedication to his craft is something that both fans and those close to him admire. In the final moments of the interview, Lauren summed up Simon’s outlook on life and work: “He’s done it all, and he’s not done yet.” For Simon Cowell, retirement is a foreign concept—he’s not stepping away from his passions just because he’s approaching 65. Instead, he remains determined to keep pushing forward and doing what he loves for as long as possible.
