Their first son, Gerd, died within a week of birth, 9 September 1916; their second, Ernst, was born on 16 November 1918, and was to remain close to his father for the rest of his life, up to and including a shared exile in Britain together.
Deres første søn, Gerd, døde inden for en uge efter fødslen, 9. september 1916; deres anden søn, Ernst, blev født 16. november 1918, og var tæt knyttet til sin far for resten af dennes liv, op til og med en fælles eksil i London.