Liam Payne's Life in Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

Liam Payne performs in 2019.Photo:Andrew Lipovsky/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Andrew Lipovsky/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Former One Direction member Liam Payne hasdied at age 31.The singer, who was one of five members in the wildly popular boy band from 2010 to 2016, died on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, Policía Federal Argentina confirmed to PEOPLE. Payne fell from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina.Since One Directiondeclared that they were going on hiatusin March 2016, Payne pursued a solo career that included the platinum-selling single “Strip That Down” and one studio album.As family, friends and fans mourn Payne’s untimely passing, see photos of the musician throughout his life and career.

Former One Direction member Liam Payne hasdied at age 31.

The singer, who was one of five members in the wildly popular boy band from 2010 to 2016, died on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, Policía Federal Argentina confirmed to PEOPLE. Payne fell from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Since One Directiondeclared that they were going on hiatusin March 2016, Payne pursued a solo career that included the platinum-selling single “Strip That Down” and one studio album.

As family, friends and fans mourn Payne’s untimely passing, see photos of the musician throughout his life and career.

01of 09Liam Payne’s ChildhoodLiam Payne in 2010.Danny Martindale/FilmMagicLiam Payne was born on Aug. 29, 1993 in Wolverhampton, England.“My childhood was good, but there wasn’t a lot of money,” he told U.K. newspaper,The Timesin 2019. “I was 14 when I first appeared onThe X Factor. It was my dad who was the driving force behind that. I entered the show for him.”

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Liam Payne’s Childhood

Liam Payne in 2010.Danny Martindale/FilmMagic

Danny Martindale/FilmMagic

Liam Payne was born on Aug. 29, 1993 in Wolverhampton, England.

“My childhood was good, but there wasn’t a lot of money,” he told U.K. newspaper,The Timesin 2019. “I was 14 when I first appeared onThe X Factor. It was my dad who was the driving force behind that. I entered the show for him.”

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Liam Payne Auditions for X Factor UK

Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Simon Cowell, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan in 2010.Dave Hogan/Getty

Dave Hogan/Getty

03of 09One Direction’s Superstar EraDave M. Benett/WireImageThe group of five would go on to be one of the best-selling boy bands of all time, touring the world and winning various awards including BRIT Awards, VMAs and American Music Awards. At the 2012 Olympics in London, the band performed their hit “What Makes You Beautiful” as part of theclosing ceremony.

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One Direction’s Superstar Era

Dave M. Benett/WireImage

The group of five would go on to be one of the best-selling boy bands of all time, touring the world and winning various awards including BRIT Awards, VMAs and American Music Awards. At the 2012 Olympics in London, the band performed their hit “What Makes You Beautiful” as part of theclosing ceremony.

04of 09One Direction Calls It QuitsLiam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles.Mark Davis/DCNYRE2016/GettyThe band went on to make four albums together as a fivesome:Up All Night,Take Me Home, Midnight MemoriesandFour. In 2015, Malik left the band; the remaining four continued to make music, releasing one more One Direction album before entering an indefinite hiatus in 2016.

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One Direction Calls It Quits

Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles.Mark Davis/DCNYRE2016/Getty

Mark Davis/DCNYRE2016/Getty

The band went on to make four albums together as a fivesome:Up All Night,Take Me Home, Midnight MemoriesandFour. In 2015, Malik left the band; the remaining four continued to make music, releasing one more One Direction album before entering an indefinite hiatus in 2016.

05of 09Liam Payne Becomes a DadLiam Payne and his son, Bear.Liam Payne/InstagramPayne welcomed sonBear Greyon March 22, 2017, with his then-girlfriend, Girls Aloud’s Cheryl. Although he and Cheryl split in July 2018, he revealed in a2022 interview with PEOPLEthat he still sees Bear every week.“It’s important. He needs that in his life, he needs a dad in his life, and I’m happy he looks at me like a superhero, and I’m hoping to keep it that way,” Payne said.

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Liam Payne Becomes a Dad

Liam Payne and his son, Bear.Liam Payne/Instagram

Liam Payne/Instagram

Payne welcomed sonBear Greyon March 22, 2017, with his then-girlfriend, Girls Aloud’s Cheryl. Although he and Cheryl split in July 2018, he revealed in a2022 interview with PEOPLEthat he still sees Bear every week.

“It’s important. He needs that in his life, he needs a dad in his life, and I’m happy he looks at me like a superhero, and I’m hoping to keep it that way,” Payne said.

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Liam Payne’s Solo Career

Liam Payne performs in 2019.Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty

Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty

07of 09Liam Payne’s Difficulties in the SpotlightLiam Payne in 2023.Jeff Spicer/GettyPayne shared that during the height of One Direction’s fame,he turned to “pills and booze” to cope with the pressure, and experienced suicidal ideation. In 2023,Payne announced that he had just completed 100 days in a rehab center in Louisiana, andthanked Cole and his son Bear for allowing him the space to pursue sobriety.He also had some relationship trouble; his on-and-off romance with onetime fiancée Maya Henry ended in 2022 after rumors of infidelity. In May 2024,Henry published a novel that portrayed a very volatile boyfriend that she said was drawn from her own experiences, and shortly before Payne’s death,Henry reportedly sent a cease-and-desist letter to Payne accusing him of obsessive contact.

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Liam Payne’s Difficulties in the Spotlight

Liam Payne in 2023.Jeff Spicer/Getty

Jeff Spicer/Getty

Payne shared that during the height of One Direction’s fame,he turned to “pills and booze” to cope with the pressure, and experienced suicidal ideation. In 2023,Payne announced that he had just completed 100 days in a rehab center in Louisiana, andthanked Cole and his son Bear for allowing him the space to pursue sobriety.

He also had some relationship trouble; his on-and-off romance with onetime fiancée Maya Henry ended in 2022 after rumors of infidelity. In May 2024,Henry published a novel that portrayed a very volatile boyfriend that she said was drawn from her own experiences, and shortly before Payne’s death,Henry reportedly sent a cease-and-desist letter to Payne accusing him of obsessive contact.

08of 09Liam Payne’s Relationship with Kate CassidyLiam Payne and Kate Cassidy.Dave Benett/Getty Images for evianThe singer was first seen with influencerKate Cassidyat a Halloween party in October 2022. TheDaily Mailshared photos of the pair heading into a restaurant dressed as iconic ‘90s couple Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson.Cassidy officially announced her relationship with Payne while on a trip to Rome the next month, posting pictures of the two embracing in front of a mirror.They made their red carpet debut in December 2022, arriving together at the British Fashion Awards. Under Cassidy’sInstagrampost from the date night, Payne commented, “Who is that lucky lucky dashing young man next to you 🤷🏻‍♂️ nah seriously you look fantastic I coulda just told you that as your on the sofa next to me but you know tech and phones n stuff.”At the time of Payne’s death, he and Cassidy were still together; she appeared in his final social media post, a Snapchat story of the pair taking a selfie in the mirror.

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Liam Payne’s Relationship with Kate Cassidy

Liam Payne and Kate Cassidy.Dave Benett/Getty Images for evian

Dave Benett/Getty Images for evian

The singer was first seen with influencerKate Cassidyat a Halloween party in October 2022. TheDaily Mailshared photos of the pair heading into a restaurant dressed as iconic ‘90s couple Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson.

Cassidy officially announced her relationship with Payne while on a trip to Rome the next month, posting pictures of the two embracing in front of a mirror.

They made their red carpet debut in December 2022, arriving together at the British Fashion Awards. Under Cassidy’sInstagrampost from the date night, Payne commented, “Who is that lucky lucky dashing young man next to you 🤷🏻‍♂️ nah seriously you look fantastic I coulda just told you that as your on the sofa next to me but you know tech and phones n stuff.”

At the time of Payne’s death, he and Cassidy were still together; she appeared in his final social media post, a Snapchat story of the pair taking a selfie in the mirror.

09of 09Liam Payne DiesLiam Payne in 2023.Joseph Okpako/WireImageOn Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, Liam Payne died at age 31 after falling from the balcony of his hotel room at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fans andfriends paid tribute to Payne on social media, calling his death “heartbreaking.”

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Liam Payne Dies

Liam Payne in 2023.Joseph Okpako/WireImage

Joseph Okpako/WireImage

On Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, Liam Payne died at age 31 after falling from the balcony of his hotel room at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fans andfriends paid tribute to Payne on social media, calling his death “heartbreaking.”

source: people.com