Nick Cave and his wife Susie have spoken openly about how the tragic loss of their son has reshaped their marriage and personal lives. The couple, married for 27 years, experienced the death of their son Arthur in 2015 when he was 15 years old. Arthur died after falling from a cliff near their former home in Brighton. An inquest later revealed that he had been using LSD at the time. Arthur’s twin brother, Earl, now 26 and an actor, survives him. In addition, Cave’s eldest son from a previous relationship, Jethro Lazenby, died in Australia at the age of 31; he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The reflections came during a public event in Paris marking the launch of a new photographic book titled *Susie*, which features images of Cave’s wife and their family taken over more than 35 years by French photographer Dominique Issermann. Nick Cave, 69, and Susie, 60, spoke candidly about the impact of grief on their marriage, describing how their relationship has evolved since the loss. Cave noted that they argue less now and have become more careful with each other, recognizing their mutual vulnerability.

“We don’t argue any more. It used to be much more volatile. Things changed hugely for us,” Cave said. Susie, a former model turned fashion designer who established the label The Vampire’s Wife before closing it in 2024 to launch a new business called Weddings and Funerals, described mutual care as the foundation of their partnership. The couple displayed an evident closeness during their conversation, often finishing each other’s sentences and showing a deep level of empathy.

The pair have remained tightly connected through years of therapy and support, which Cave described as failing to create any emotional boundaries between them. While Susie avoids influencing his songwriting, she shared that Cave sings regularly at their London home, a practice observable to neighbors.

The book *Susie* offers intimate glimpses into their private life, featuring photographs that range from early images of Susie to tender moments with their children. Among the most poignant are pictures of the twins during family holidays spent at a villa near Viterbo in Italy. Both Cave and Susie recalled Arthur’s intense need for love coupled with a playful sense of humor.

Issermann, who has photographed Susie since the late 1980s and often traveled with the family, is considered a close friend and “part of the family.” Cave first met Susie Bick in 1997 at a fashion show in London; their relationship deepened over time, including at an artistic retreat in Ireland’s Liss Ard Estate in the late 1990s, a period during which Cave was recovering from long-term heroin addiction. The couple married in 1999.

Susie also revealed that she continues to have vivid “visitation” dreams where Arthur appears, often alongside Earl, both portrayed as young children. She described these dreams as a form of quiet communication and a source of comfort, contrasting with Cave’s acknowledgment that he rarely remembers his own dreams and relies on Susie’s experiences in this regard.

Their story reflects a journey through profound loss and the ongoing effort to maintain connection and hope within their family.