Simon Cowell's mother Julie, it has been announced. Mr Cowell's family confirmed that the 89-year-old died on Sunday leaving them 'devastated'. Cowell's brother Tony said: 'Very sad night tonight. We will all miss Mum so very much. She was the heart and soul of our family.' Mrs Cowell was married to EMI music executive Eric, who died in 1999, aged 81. Auditions for the ITV talent show were due to begin in Manchester today but will now no longer go ahead, a spokesman for Syco Entertainment confirmed.