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Mum's the word
Simon Cowell's mother reveals the less-known aspects of his life
- By Jenny Johnston, Daily Mail
- Published: 00:00 December 25, 2010
- Image Credit: Rex Features
- Julie Cowell
No, Julie Cowell hasn't bought a hat yet. Simon's mother, who celebrated her 85th birthday recently, answers the question before it's even asked.
"It's all anyone wants to know these days," she says. "I go for lunch with friends and they ask: ‘Have you got a hat yet? What about the outfit? ' All I can say is, ‘No I haven't.' How can you buy an outfit for a wedding with no date or venue?"
What about the date of her son's forthcoming nuptials? It's going to be a busy time for weddings next year. Westminster Abbey is already booked for a certain Friday in April. Cheryl Cole might still be free for bridesmaid duty but who knows?
"I know. A royal wedding — marvellous news," says Julie, a delightful soul. "Simon could do the same day, couldn't he?" Joking aside, it can't be easy being a parent waiting, diary in hand, in the wings of a will-they-won't-they wedding. Especially when, with Prince William taken care of, your son has become the most eligible millionaire bachelor in the country.
Curious crowd
Questions have already started to be asked about what exactly is keeping Simon and his fiancée Mezghan Hussainy from naming the day. Their engagement was sealed earlier this year with a flashy ring on the Jay Leno show.
Since then, nothing. They've barely been seen together and when asked whether the engagement was still on, Mezghan answered with a curious and decidedly unromantic, "yes, as far as I know".
Simon's mother can offer no clues. "Oh, the engagement is still on, from what I hear but I haven't heard a word about an actual wedding. After the engagement I asked them ‘Are you going to have an engagement party?' and they said they might. But they didn't. And now I don't ask. It's a private thing."
So does she think Simon will get married at all?
"I think he might, because he definitely got engaged. He has never made that sort of commitment before. But we have to wait and see."
We could be kind, of course, and say that a lengthy engagement makes for a happier marriage. Julie says Prince William was "just right" to hold off until he was "sure".
Should Simon do the same?
"At that rate, he would be 90 before he gets up the aisle," she says.
Simon's age becomes something of a theme. His mum is astonished that he actually celebrated his 50th birthday with a party last year. That his mother was the guest of honour says everything about the relationship between these two. They're very close.
Meet the family
Julie, a former dancer, worked in theatre for eight years when her first marriage ended. But she put her career on hold when she met her second husband, record company boss Eric.
Simon, who followed his father into the profession, shares his business sense but just enough of his mother's theatricality.
When Simon and his brother Nicholas came along, she put her career on hold. "I loved the theatre but I took to the home-building aspect. My husband worked long hours, like Simon does."
At home, she had high standards. Simon's impeccable manners stem from her insistence on "pleases and thank-yous at all times".
In all, there were four children — three boys and a girl. Simon and his brothers sound like quite a handful. Julie was more than up to the task, though. Did the young Simon get a good smack?
"He did, actually. I'm not talking a ‘bang' but a tap on the hand to say ‘that's enough'. There were lots of cuddles, too."
Catastrophe strikes
Still, the family has not been without its troubles. First, 12 years ago, came Julie's breast cancer.
She coped with characteristic stoicism, charging off to buy a new coat when she was diagnosed. Eric wanted to keep the news from the children; Julie insisted they must be told — but only to a point.
"I said they needed to know but I never wanted to worry them. I wanted to protect them."
Now, she's heavily involved in charity work, particularly supporting a cancer vaccine.
She is honorary president of an organisation named Against Breast Cancer (www.againstbreastcancer.org.uk). Just after her cancer fight, she lost her beloved husband. Eric died in 1998 — just as Simon's success was building.
Julie has strong views on marriage. She had been unhappily married before she met Eric, who came with two stepchildren in tow. "When you have a good marriage, there is nothing better," she says. "But it takes hard work to make a good marriage — especially one where two families are coming together. You have to work at it daily."
This could be good news for Simon, for working hard is what he does best.
"My son is a workaholic. His work comes first and whoever he marries will have to accept that, though I know it's not always acceptable. She will have to fit around him, rather than the other way round."
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