Simon Cowell: School was a waste of time – all my life I had to teach myself

Simon Cowell didn’t learn anything at school. The 51-year-old music mogul — who has an estimated personal fortune of over $200 million — admits he was never academically successful but believes he has done well out of life because he has such good instincts.

“All my life I had to teach myself. I never really had a proper education. I wasn’t born with any skill. I didn’t learn anything from school,” Simon Cowell said.

“Mainly, I trust my instincts because I have very broad tastes. I genuinely believe that if I like something, other people are going to like it as well.”

Simon quit American Idol last year in order to focus on bringing his UK show, The X Factor, to the US and admits it took a discussion with an unnamed “successful” friends to make him realize it was time to go.

“I asked a very successful guy, ‘What’s the best advice you can give me?’ and he said, ‘Simon, always know when to leave the fair.’ And I think that’s good advice,” he said.

“Something inside you just says, ‘You know what, it’s time to go.’ Without any regrets whatsoever.”

Despite departing American Idol, Simon — who got engaged to make-up artist Mezhgan Hussainy last year — insists he has enjoyed being a TV talent show judge because it isn’t very difficult.

“I can look back on the past ten years and say, ‘It’s been a blast.’ I’ve enjoyed myself, I mean it’s not the most difficult job in the world is it?” he said.

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