Lorca Cohen

Lorca Cohen (born 1974) is the daughter of poet/singer-songwriter, Leonard Cohen. Lorca was raised primarily by her mother, Suzanne Elrod, while visiting Leonard Cohen in New York City, Los Angeles and Hydra, Greece. Her first name is taken in honor of Spanish poet Federico García Lorca, who was an influence on her father. 

By profession, Lorca is a professional photographer and also a part owner of an antiques store, in Los Angeles.

Early life

Lorca was born in 1974 to Leonard Cohen and his partner at the time, Suzanne Elrod. Leonard had met Suzanne in 1969 at a Scientology class — the same year Leonard would meet his future zen master, Kyozan Joshu Sasaki. At the time, Leonard was 35 and Suzanne was 19. Although Leonard referred to Suzanne as his wife, they weren't married, as Cohen claimed to have "chickened out", at the last moment. They stopped living together in 1979.

Leonard and Suzanne had two children: son Adam Cohen, born in 1972, and daughter Lorca Cohen in 1974. 

Personal life

Lorca has two children:  

• with friend Cliff Fong, Lyon. Lyon was named after Leonard's grandfather, Lyon Cohen, 
• in 2011, with singer Rufus Wainwright, Viva Cohen. Wainwright and Lorca were childhood friends. Wainwright describes Lorca as suggesting she bear a child. His decision to agree occurred when his mother, Kate McGarrigle, was dying, and he promised her he would accept Lorca's offer. He says he was sorry she died before Viva was born. In 2015 Lorca had another child with friend Cliff Fong named Lyon Cohen after Leonard's grandfather. 

Both children live with Lorca.

Trivia

In October 2004, a disgruntled lover of her father's financial advisor, Kelley Lynch, came to the store, suggesting Lorca look into how her father's finances were being managed. Lorca did examine her father's finances, and had the unpleasant task of informing him that Lynch had emptied his bank accounts and sold the rights to his music.