Simon Cowell has suffered two serious bicycle accidents in the last few years, both of which have had a negative impact on his health. Cowell recently talked candidly about these challenging situations while on the Today Show alongside Heidi Klum, Terry Crews, and Howie Mandel, his fellow America’s Got Talent judges.
Cowell was 64 when he was involved in his first serious e-bike accident in Malibu in 2020. He then experienced a similar mishap in London at the beginning of 2022. Simon was questioned about how these mishaps affected his perspective on life in a promotional film for the forthcoming 18th season of America’s Got Talent. “I wasn’t in great physical shape before the accidents, so they had a huge impact,” he freely said. When Simon thought back on his recuperation, he realized how much he needed to do to get healthier.
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“It was definitely a wake-up call,” Simon said. “I think everything happens for a reason,” he continued, despite his passion for riding a bike. “I’m not giving up on cycling,” Simon informed his fellow judges, with a hint of humor, highlighting how much he still enjoys the sport.
Simon was hospitalized with a broken arm and a concussion following his second mishap. His recovery still involved wearing a wrist brace for several months, albeit it was not as bad as the previous accident, which left him with a spinal damage that needed metal rods and screws. Simon made significant lifestyle adjustments as a result of these events, especially to increase his time with his son Eric, who is nine years old. During his recuperation, Lauren Silverman, his fiancée, was an invaluable support system.
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Simon discussed the emotional toll the events had on him in an April interview with The Sun. “I was in such a dark place that, for the first time, I seriously considered seeking therapy,” he disclosed. He talked about how difficult it was to not be able to see Eric while he was recovering.
One of the main factors in Simon’s recovery was the birth of his son, Eric, on February 14, 2014. Simon recalled in a heartfelt moment that Eric had given him the moniker “Iron Man” due to the metal rods in his back. “Dad, you look like Iron Man,” Simon smiled, recalling how Eric said to me when I got home. “Yeah, I guess I am like Iron Man,” I said, laughing.
Simon has kept his signature sense of humor throughout it all. Terry Crews questioned Simon in jest at an AGT episode in June 2021 if he could ever envision performing Shaolin Kung Fu-style exploits. Simon chuckled and answered, “Even just taking Eric for a stroll around the garden seemed like a victory after my back injury. I occasionally wondered, “Perhaps this isn’t such a smart idea.”
Simon’s trip demonstrates his tenacity and capacity for humor in the face of hardship. Even after suffering injuries in his bicycle mishaps, he never loses his witty sense of humor and still enjoys life and riding.
