Liam Payne's sisters remember late 'One Direction' star on his 33rd birthday: 'Best brother ever'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Late 'One Direction' star Liam Payne’s sisters paid tribute to him on what would have been his 33rd birthday, sharing heartfelt memories and emotional messages on Instagram on Saturday, August 29.
Payne died on October 16, 2024, at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Argentina. An autopsy revealed that he died from multiple traumas and internal and external hemorrhaging consistent with a fall from a great height.
Liam Payne's sister Ruth shares emotional birthday tribute
Payne’s older sister Ruth shared a photo of a birthday cake alongside a heartfelt message remembering her brother and describing how she spent the day doing things he would have loved.
“Happy 33rd birthday to the best brother ever!” she wrote and said she started the morning listening to LP2, adding that Liam always used to tell them to “listen loud,” before having cake and pizza and going bowling.
Ruth also recalled an emotional moment when her ankles started clicking as she came downstairs.
She said the sound reminded her of Liam walking beside her because his ankles could be heard “from miles away” after his days jumping around on stage. She added that they had not clicked again, despite her wishing they would so she could feel that he was near.
Ruth explained that Liam’s birthday also marked two years since she was last in a room with him alive, when her family was last together as five. She referenced a book called 'fifteen minutes,' in which grieving people could return to a room of their choice for 15 minutes with someone they had lost.
She said she would choose the night two years ago when she, Liam and Nicola got into a lift on their way to bowling. Ruth described the last joke shared between the three as a moment she might once have forgotten but now considers one of her most treasured memories.
Ruth also admitted that she tried to “out run” the date by going away and had attempted to outrun the entire situation for almost two years. She said it had ultimately proved inescapable.
“Liam, you are every wish I make for you to just come back, every 11:11, every moon, butterfly, rainbow, robin I see, you are everywhere and nowhere all at once and that’s something my soul cannot accept."
Liam Payne's sister Nicola and Kate Cassidy remember him
Payne's other sister, Nicola Payne, also honored him in an Instagram post highlighting photos from a bowling alley. She wrote that celebrating his birthday for the second year without him would never feel right.
“We do it the best way we know how with a little bowling, just like we did for your last birthday,” Nicola wrote. She added that she hated how much Liam was missing out on and how life had to continue without him.
“It still doesn’t feel fair, and I don’t think it ever will,” she continued, adding that they missed him more than words could express and wished him a happy birthday.
His ex-girlfriend Kate Cassidy also remembered Liam with a heartbreaking tribute on his 33rd birthday. The influencer shared previously unseen photos of him on Instagram, giving fans a look back at some of the happy moments they shared.
The photos showed Liam spending time with their rescue dog Nala, enjoying nights out and relaxing at home with Kate. Alongside the pictures, Kate wrote, “Your birthday will always be your day. Loving you, remembering you, missing you always. Happy birthday Liam.”
She dated the former 'One Direction' star for two years before his death in October 2024. She has continued sharing memories of Liam and has spoken openly about how difficult it has been to live without him.
