Over the past two years, Simon Cowell has faced two separate bicycle accidents, both of which led to significant health challenges. Recently, while appearing on the Today Show with his fellow America’s Got Talent judges, Howie Mandel, Terry Crews, and Heidi Klum, Cowell openly discussed these incidents.
The 64-year-old television personality first experienced an e-bike accident in Malibu in 2020, followed by a similar mishap while riding through London in early 2022. In a promotional video for the upcoming 18th season of America’s Got Talent, Simon was asked how these accidents have changed his outlook on life. He admitted, “I wasn’t in the best shape before the mishaps, so they were far from terrific, rather quite terrible.” Reflecting on his recovery process, he realized how out of shape he had been.
“It was a revelation, a true ‘god’ moment,” he added, acknowledging that despite his love for cycling, everything happens for a reason. To the amusement of his fellow judges, Simon declared, “I’m not giving up on my bike,” expressing admiration for the innovations that make cycling so enjoyable.
Following the second accident, Simon was hospitalized with a concussion and a broken arm. Although this second collision wasn’t as severe as the first, which left him with a broken back and metal rods and screws in his back, it still required him to wear a wrist brace for several months. In the wake of these incidents, Simon significantly changed his lifestyle, mainly to be present for his nine-year-old son, Eric. His fiancée, Lauren Silverman, also played a major role in motivating him through his recovery.
In an interview with The Sun in April last year, Simon opened up about his struggles following his back injury. “I was in such a dark place that, for the first time, I considered going to therapy,” he shared, recalling how difficult it was to cope with the limitations the injury imposed on his ability to spend quality time with Eric.
Simon and Lauren welcomed Eric on February 14, 2014, and their bond was a driving force in Simon’s recovery. In a lighthearted moment, Simon revealed that Eric had given him a new nickname, comparing him to the superhero Iron Man due to the metal rods supporting his back after surgery. “When I was reunited with my family, Eric looked at me and said, ‘Dad, you look like Iron Man,’” Simon proudly recalled. “I smiled and replied, ‘Yes, I really am like Iron Man.’”
Despite the setbacks, Simon has managed to maintain a sense of humor about his injuries. He even joked about them during an AGT episode in June 2021 when Terry Crews asked if Simon could ever see himself performing dangerous stunts like those of a Shaolin Kung Fu act. Simon responded with a laugh, saying, “After my back injury, simply walking around the garden with Eric felt like a huge achievement. Even then, I sometimes thought, ‘Maybe this isn’t such a great idea.’”
Simon’s journey is a testament to his resilience and self-reflection. Despite the challenges posed by his biking accidents, he continues to find joy in riding and life, never losing his signature sense of humor.
