Nora was born into a wealthy German newspaper family and was working as a music promoter in London when she met John. They married in 1979 and had a daughter, Ari, who later formed punk band The Slits. However, Ari passed away from breast cancer in 2010, aged just 48.
The passing of Nora marks the end of an era for John, who had been with her for nearly five decades. While her battle with Alzheimer’s was undoubtedly difficult, John had found moments of tenderness and love with Nora, something he had tried to capture in his music. His dedication to caring for her himself was a testament to their bond and the love he had for his wife.

