Late Singer's Son Inherits Estate After Father's Tragic Death

Liam Payne's son is officially the sole beneficiary of the One Direction singer's entire estate. Two years after his father's passing, Bear Grey Payne has finally been awarded the estate, valued at nearly $28 million.

According toTMZ, which obtained court documents, Bear Payne will have access to the estate at 18. Some of the money can be used right now, but the majority will remain in a trust until Bear is an adult. He is currently 9 years old.

Liam Payne died tragically at 31 in Argentina. The musician fell to his death out of a hotel while visiting Buenos Aires. The former member of One Direction had a fractured skull that led to intense bleeding. His blood-alcohol level was way over the legal limit when he fell. Tox screens at the time of his death discovered that he also had cocaine, crack, and benzodiazepine in his system.

Five people were charged with manslaughter in connection with the singer's death. Three had their charges dropped, including Payne's friend Rogelio "Roger" Nores. The two men who allegedly sold the musician cocaine, Ezequiel Pereyra and Braian Paiz, are awaiting trial.

Payne had one son with ex Cheryl Cole. Bear was 7 at the time. Because the singer did not have a will, Cole and lawyer Richard Bray were the administrators of Payne's estate.

Shortly after Payne died, Cole posted on Instagram, "Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again."

She has also raised Bear as far away from social media as possible. Cole explained in the post, "Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen. … It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future."

Fellow One Direction member Niall Horan honored his late friend in a new song, "End of an Era," which he released last month. Payne had gone to Horan's concert in Buenos Aires right before he died.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 9:20 PM.