Liam Payne’s age when he welcomed son Bear – and heartbreaking final words about him
The former X Factor star devastatingly died after plunging from the third floor of a boutique hotel in Argentina last month. His funeral is set to take place in the coming days and will likely be a private celebration for family and friends, following hundreds of fan vigils across the world over recent weeks.
Liam is survived by his loved ones and son Bear, whom he welcomed with ex Cheryl Tweedy back in 2017, a year before they split. The singer was 23 years old when he became a dad and 31 when he tragically died. Cheryl, who was 10 years his senior, was 33 when she became a mum to their ‘healthy baby boy’.
Liam Payne, best known for his time in One Direction, experienced the joy of fatherhood when he welcomed his son, Bear, in 2017. At the age of 23, Liam and his partner, singer Cheryl Tweedy, embraced parenthood with their first child, a healthy baby boy. However, their happiness was short-lived as they announced their split a year later in 2018. Despite their separation, Liam and Cheryl remained committed to co-parenting their son, and Bear has grown up with the love and care of both parents.
Liam’s tragic passing at the age of 31 left his family, including Bear, grappling with the immense loss. The former pop star died after a fall from the third floor of a boutique hotel in Argentina in October 2024. As Liam’s funeral arrangements are set to be a private affair, his family and close friends are expected to gather in mourning. In the wake of this tragedy, Cheryl shared her grief on social media, calling for privacy and understanding as they navigate this devastating time.
Liam’s journey into fatherhood was marked by joy and a desire to protect his son from the public eye. When Bear was born in 2017, Cheryl took to Instagram to share the news with her followers, describing him as an “incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy” who was already winning hearts. Although the couple refrained from sharing too many pictures of Bear publicly, they were vocal about their efforts to give their son as normal a childhood as possible, shielding him from the pressures of fame.
As Bear grew, Liam frequently commented on how much his son resembled him. In a 2020 interview, he joked about how family members remarked that Bear looked like a mini-version of himself, a sentiment that brought both pride and nostalgia. In interviews, both Liam and Cheryl expressed a shared desire to keep Bear grounded and away from the spotlight as much as possible, with Liam revealing that they had taken steps to protect Bear’s identity from the public eye. Liam’s love for his son was evident, and in a 2021 interview, he spoke about giving Bear the space to decide what parts of his life he wanted to share with the world when he was older.
In an emotional tribute following Liam’s passing, Cheryl shared a poignant message on Instagram, urging people to remember that Liam was not just a celebrity but a father, a son, and a friend. She reflected on the heartache Bear would one day face as he navigates the loss of his father and the media’s often invasive coverage of Liam’s life. Cheryl’s message was a heartfelt plea for kindness and respect during this painful period, especially for their young son, who now must grow up without his dad.
Cheryl’s words were a reminder of the human side of celebrities, urging everyone to consider the impact of their actions on those left behind. As Bear faces a future without his father, the support and respect of the public can play a crucial role in helping him heal and grow up in peace. The loss of Liam Payne has been felt by millions, but for his son, it is an indescribable grief that will take time to understand and overcome.
