Liam Payne’s nine-year-old son, Bear, is set to become the sole beneficiary of the late One Direction star’s multimillion-dollar estate, according to newly revealed High Court documents.
The singer, who rose to global fame as a member of the hugely successful boy band One Direction, died on October 16, 2024, at the age of 31. Payne was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, when he fell from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur hotel.
He had traveled to the city with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, to support his close friend and former bandmate Niall Horan during his performance there. Cassidy later returned to Florida, while Payne decided to stay in South America. He was alone at the time of the tragic incident.
Following his death, Cassidy shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, describing the devastating loss and the impact Payne had on those around him.
“My heart is shattered in ways I can’t put into words,” she wrote. “I wish you could see the huge impact you’ve had on the world, even as everything feels so dark right now.”
She continued by remembering Payne as someone who brought happiness and positivity to millions of fans, his loved ones, and everyone who knew him.
“None of this feels real, and I can’t understand this new reality of not having you here,” Cassidy added.
Payne’s family and estate
An inquest into Liam Payne’s death began in May 2026 to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and determine whether it could have been prevented.
Payne shared his son Bear with his former partner Cheryl Tweedy. According to High Court documents, Bear will inherit his father’s entire estate. Reports claim the inheritance could be worth around $27 million.
After Payne’s passing, Cheryl and music industry lawyer Richard Bray were appointed to manage the estate. While Bear is expected to receive full access to the inheritance when he becomes an adult, legal arrangements may allow certain assets to be accessed before then.
The estate is also believed to include Payne’s five-bedroom home in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire.