Marianne Ihlen, a central figure in Leonard Cohen's artistic and personal life, passed away from leukemia on July 28, 2016, at age 81 in Oslo, Norway. The two had shared a romantic bond during the 1960s on the Greek island of Hydra, where they forged a creative partnership before parting ways. Despite their separation, they maintained a deep friendship across decades, with Ihlen's influence permeating several of Cohen's most recognisable early compositions.

When Ihlen's illness progressed beyond recovery, Cohen composed an intimate farewell letter acknowledging their shared mortality and reaffirming his lifelong devotion to her. Though media accounts initially circulated an expanded paraphrase of his words, Cohen's actual message was more restrained yet no less profound in its expression of connection and gratitude. Cohen himself died in his home in November 2016, just months after Ihlen, marking what observers regarded as the conclusion of a relationship that had shaped both their lives across five decades.