Simon Cowell

Simon renewed his contract with American Idol for five more seasons with a yearly salary of $40 million. Simon was named Variety’s UK Personality of the Year.

2006 BCE

Idol was aired by Fox after must hesitation from other US networks and the ratings broke records.Cowell has a guaranteed salary of $36 million per season working as a judge on the show, until the year 2011 when his contract expires.

2002 BCE

Simon teamed up with Simon Fuller and created Pop Idol which aired in the United Kingdom in 2001. With Simon as a judge, notorious for bringing contestants to tears due to his insulting comments, the show was an instant success.

1998 BCE

Simon was employed as A&R consultant for BMG Records where he signed successful acts like Five as well as novelty albums such as the Teletubbies. During his time with BMG Simon sold more than 150 mil records and 70 top-charting singles in the UK and USA.

1989 BCE

Simon left E&S and set up independent label Fanfare Records.

1985 BCE

Simon started his own company E&S Music alongside his EMI boss, Ellis Rich. He signed acts like, Hot Gossip and Sinitta.

1981 BCE

Simon left school aged 15 and was employed in the mail room of EMI Music Publishing through his Dad’s connections as executive of the company. He worked his way up to become a music publisher.

1975 BCE