Simon Cowell’s Beloved Mother Julie Has Died At 89

Julie Brett, Simon Cowell‘s beloved mother, died on Sunday after a lengthy hospital stay. She was 89.

Julie Brett Dies

Brett suffered a stroke earlier this year that left her in the care of a hospital, reported The Sun. Her death was announced Sunday in a statement from her family.

“Today our beloved mum Julie passed away,” The Cowell family said in a released statement. “Anyone who had met her would know what a truly special and kind lady she was. We are heartbroken and will miss her terribly, but she is now at peace.”

Cowell was famously close with his mother, and is said to be devastated at her passing.

“Simon is absolutely devastated. His mum was the most beloved person in his life and they were incredibly close. But at least she got to see him settle down and start a family which was one of the great wishes of her life,” a source told The Sun. “Julie had been unwell for some time and she was in a home. But Simon and his brothers were in constant contact with her and the family remained very close.”

“They had been paying regular visits to her bedside and it’s been a godsend that Simon hadn’t had to do too much work in the U.S. over the last year,” the source added. “He’s completely heartbroken.”