With a net worth of $600 million it is quite clear, Simon Cowell doesn't have to work another day and he'll be quite alright.
However, the mogul continues on, revolutionizing the music industry with his vision. Everyone was thinking radio and CDs in the early 2000s, Simon had other plans, looking at TV as the next breakthrough outlet for music. With reality TV shows flourishing, Cowell launched 'Pop Idol' and never looked back. It was the start of something special as soon after, 'American Idol' swept the US.
Prior to reaching that point of success, Cowell struggled big time and couldn't find a proper career path. Cowell tried his hand at real estate and later, he would join EMI, which was his intro to music. Even then, success was limited as those within the company did not see eye-to-eye with his vision.
Let's dig into Simon's life before the fame and fortune, along with an unlikely job he had prior to making it big in Hollywood. It was quite the journey along the way.
Before Idol
At first, if you don't succeed, try again later... Well, in Simon's case, if you don't succeed, move on.
According to Metro News, Simon dabbed in real estate after leaving the music industry. His time in the field was brief, lasting eight months. Looking back, Simon calls it the most miserable time in his life, "After I left the music industry I was an estate agent for eight months. And I can honestly say it was the most miserable eight months of my life."
Things weren't looking very good for the TV judge, thankfully, he was re-offered a job with EMI, returning to the gig made him leave real estate for good, "I worked for this really snotty company in Mayfair who hated me and I hated them, and I was so upset that my mum actually said to me “I’ve never seen you so depressed. And luckily I was offered a job back at the music publishing company [EMI]. I’m glad I tried it because it was horrible."
Despite the return to EMI, Cowell struggled to find respect within the company, due to his big vision which involved music expanding via television. Not everyone agreed with his ways and once again, it would lead to a big struggle within the company.
The struggle was taking place but to Cowell's credit, he wasn't giving up.
Cowell remembers looking over his fence and seeing huge parties that were being thrown by his famous director neighbor. Not only did Simon make it to those parties, but he also played a small part in aiding the filmmaker.
Cleaning 'The Shining' Axe
According to Simon's half-brother, Cowell's first job had to do with 'The Shining'. That's right, Cowell was in charge of cleaning Jack Nicholson's axe. Cowell at a young age took pride in the job. His brother described the job alongside BBC Radio, "It was only a stone's throw away from where we grew up," he explained. "I well remember him saying he used to clean Jack Nicholson's axe in between takes for the most famous scenes. He took great pride in it, you could see your face in it, it was so shiny. It's a far cry from where he is now. I think the only thing he shines these days are his teeth."
He's come a very long way since those days, though it is cool to see that he dabbled in the world of entertainment long before his 'Idol' days.
Although he became very successful, to this day, Cowell admits that he's never content and always pushing for more, similar to his early days. "There’s always a pinnacle for different reasons, I can’t say it’s one artist or one record, or one moment. It’s everything combined. One of the worst feelings is that you’ve had your pinnacle. Maybe I have, maybe I haven’t. I don’t know. But you always have to strive for something new. It goes back to my surprise element about BGT, you want something we haven’t seen before that becomes a moment or an artist who becomes super successful. Who knows? But I am always confident something else will happen."
A valuable lesson to learn, there will always be a struggle on the road to success and doing what you believe in and love most. Cowell had some twists and turns along the way, though he always stuck to his vision.
Sources: Digital Spy, Just Simon Cowell, YouTube, Twitter & Metro