Advertisement
Liam Payne, the former One Direction star, tragically passed away at just 31 years old after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel. His untimely death in October 2024 shocked fans around the world and left his family, friends, and supporters grieving the heartbreaking loss. But alongside the sorrow came many questions—particularly about what would happen to his multimillion-dollar fortune, especially since Liam hadn’t left behind a formal will.
According to multiple media outlets, Liam had amassed an impressive $28 million net worth by the time of his passing. However, after covering outstanding debts and personal expenses, that amount was reduced to around $24 million. Even so, it remains a significant legacy—one that now comes with legal complexities due to the absence of a will.
Court documents reveal that Liam’s fortune will be handed over to his ex-partner, Cheryl Cole, the singer and mother of their young son, Bear. Under U.K. inheritance laws, if someone dies without a will, their estate typically goes to their closest next of kin. Since Bear is Liam’s only child and a direct blood relative, Cheryl—acting on his behalf—will be entrusted with managing the money. The inheritance will be held in trust, meaning it’s intended to be used for Bear’s care, future, and well-being.
This outcome has stirred emotions, particularly for Kate Cassidy, Liam’s girlfriend at the time of his death. Despite her emotional closeness with the singer, Kate is not legally entitled to any portion of the estate, since they were not married or officially listed in a will. Her heartbreak deepened when she revealed that the couple had spoken about marriage, and she had envisioned a future with him.
Six months after Liam’s passing, this decision regarding his estate became public. He had been laid to rest in November 2024, one month after the tragic accident. In a touching show of support, all his former One Direction bandmates—Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik—attended the funeral to honor their friend and former band brother.
Kate Cassidy, in a tearful and emotional interview with Jay Shetty on his podcast, shared a deeply personal moment from her final day with Liam. “On our last day together in Argentina,” she recalled, “we were at the guest house. My suitcase was ready, the car was in the driveway, and we just sat on the couch. I kept telling him over and over how much I loved him and how much he meant to me.”
Liam Payne passed away on October 16, 2024, leaving behind not just a musical legacy, but also a personal one filled with love, loss, and questions that may never be fully answered.