For over 20 years Nico had been an on and off (though mostly on) heroin addict. In his very entertaining book "Nico - Songs They Never Played on the Radio", James Young, a member of her band in the 80's, recalls many examples of Nico's almost fiendish behaviour due to her addiction. Ironically, just before her death, she had managed to kick the habit and had embarked on a regime of exercise and healthy eating.
On July 18,
1988, Nico was injured riding her bicycle whilst vacationing with her son, Ari, in her favorite haunt of previous years, Ibiza. She hit her head and was admitted to a local hospital. X-rays revealed severe bleeding in her brain, and she died several hours later.