Liam Payne's Rollercoaster Life in Pictures: Fame, Fortune, Flings, Fatherhood... and Fatal Fall
From his 'The X Factor' days to his death at 31, here's a look back at Liam Payne's life and career.
Oct. 18 2024, Published 8:30 p.m. ET
Liam Payne's Early Life
Payne was born three weeks premature on August 29, 1998 in Wolverhampton, England.
Born in Wolverhampton, England, on August 29, 1998, Liam Payne was the only son of Geoff and Karen Payne.
He once said he "effectively died as a baby," explaining: "I was born three weeks early and kept being ill. From the age of zero to four was always in hospital having tests done but they couldn't find out what was wrong."
As a kid, Payne endured constant bullying from older students, prompting him to take up boxing lessons. But on the bright side, he enjoyed soccer while growing up with two older sisters Nicola and Ruth.
Liam Payne Embarked on His 'The X Factor' Journey
Payne auditioned for The X Factor when he was 14-years-old in 2008.
In 2008, then-14-year-old Payne auditioned for The X Factor but was eliminated.
He told The Times in 2019: "It was my dad who was the driving force behind that. I entered the show for him."
Although his initial attempt was not successful, he returned in 2010 and passed the audition. He made it through to the next round and was eventually grouped with Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson to debut under the One Direction banner.
Nicole Scherzinger said of the band members in the never-before-seen footage released in 2022: "They're just too talented to get rid of."
"They've got just the right look and the right charisma onstage. I think they'll be really great in a boy band together. They're like little stars. You can't get rid of little stars, you know? So you put them all together."
Liam Payne Debuted in One Direction
He was recruited by Simon Cowell to join the X Factor boyband One Direction.
One Direction quickly dominated the music charts with the release of their debut single, What Makes You Beautiful, from their debut studio album, Up All Night, in 2011.
The lead single also helped them become the first-ever U.K. group to nab number one on the Billboard 200.
One Direction Announced an Indefinite Hiatus
Payne was in the boy band One Direction - they band broke up in 2015.
One Direction released two more albums — Take Me Home and Midnight Memories — that featured all five members. After Zayn left the band in 2015, the remaining members worked on two more albums, Four and Made in the A.M., before announcing their indefinite hiatus.
Payne told USA TODAY about their break in 2015: "It is definitely really sad for us. But obviously, we're going back into it. So it's not goodbye; it's just, 'See you later.
"It's like what Tigger used to say: 'Ta-ta for now.'"
Liam Payne Focused on His Solo Career
Liam Payne hauntingly joked the world 'didn't need another him' while speaking about his 'mini-me' son in August.
In December 2019, Payne dropped his first solo album, LP1, following the success of his 2017 song, Strip That Down, with Quavo.
He told USA TODAY: "It took a long time to finish off – not because it was hard to make, but we were having so much luck with the singles that we didn't need to focus on making the album at that moment in time,"
"I was just kind of finding myself and finding my sound. And also in the band, we made albums really quickly: like two weeks' worth of writing and then a month of recording. So I wanted to enjoy this experience a bit more."
He also collaborated with other artists on different songs: Rita Ora on For You and Zedd on Get Low, to name a few.
In March, Payne released Teardrops, the lead single from his planned second studio album. It became his last track before his death.
Liam Payne Became a Dad
Payne welcomed son Bear with then-girlfriend Cheryl Cole in March 2017.
On March 22, 2017, Payne welcomed his son, Bear Grey, with his then-girlfriend Cheryl. Even after his split from the Girls Aloud member, he remained a devoted father to his child.
He told People: "I see him two times a week, three times a week sometimes. And I make sure when I see him, he has 100 percent of my time. I make sure that I'm not on my phone or d------- around somewhere else.
"So, I like to give him those moments and it's important, he needs that in his life. He needs his dad in his life, and I'm happy he looks at me like a superhero, and I'm hoping to keep it that way."
Liam Payne Had High-Profile Relationships
Payne dated Cole, Danielle Peazer and Sophia Smith. He later called off an engagement to Maya Henry.
Before Cheryl, Payne dated Danielle Peazer and Sophia Smith. He then sparked dating rumors with Cairo Dwek and Naomi Campbell before moving on with Maya Henry in 2018.
In October 2022, he started dating Kate Cassidy but called it quits with her in May 2023. One month later, the couple reconciled and remained together until Liam's death.
Liam Payne Battled Health Issues in the Years Leading Up to His Death
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Payne spent time in rehab before travelling to South America.
In the years leading to his death, Payne sparked concerns due to several health issues.
In September 2023, he was hospitalized after he suffered from a severe kidney infection while vacationing in Italy. His mother, Karen, told the Daily Mail she felt helpless as Payne stayed in a Milan hospital for a week to receive treatment.
She said: "We are all worried sick about it, but we just have to get on. It's horrible — him being all the way over there."
During his time in One Direction, Payne turned to "pills and booze" to cope with the pressure. He said: "Being an alcoholic, doing whatever else, that was my choice. So it doesn't have to be whiny, but I know it was a sacrifice to be here."
He revealed in a July 2023 video that he completed 100 days in a rehab center in Louisiana. At the time, he told his fans he "had to get away to get better".
Payne explained: "I was in bad shape up to that point and I was really happy more than anything when I arrived to kind of put a stopper on life and work.
"I didn't have my phone for nearly 100 days. I didn't connect with the outside world at all, and it was kind of prepping me for that moment, upon leaving — the hardest part was turning the phone back on."
Liam Payne Passed Away at 31
Payne allegedly argued about money with the woman and brought up his fortune.
Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Payne, 31, died from "extremely serious injuries" after falling from the third floor of CasaSur Palermo Hotel on Wednesday, October 16.
Communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry Pablo Policicchio told The Associated Press the Sunshine singer "had jumped from the balcony of his room." Moments before his passing, the hotel manager called 911 due to an "aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol".
It was later confirmed that the deceased guest was Payne.
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