Remembering Susanna Gross: The Irrepressible Spirit Who Illuminated Westminster

The news, when it broke, truly hit hard for many who knew her, and indeed, for countless others who simply admired her sharp mind from afar: Susanna Gross, the truly incomparable political editor of The Mail on Sunday, has passed away at the too-young age of 58 after a valiant, though often private, battle with cancer. It's a profound loss, not just for her family – her husband, James Forsyth, The Spectator’s own political editor, and their two sons, Charlie and Tom – but for the entire political landscape she so masterfully navigated and illuminated.

For decades, really, Susanna was more than just a byline; she was the astute, often cheeky, observer peering through the very windows of Westminster, generously sharing what she saw. Her famed 'Diary of a Political Editor' wasn’t merely a column, you see; it was a weekly masterclass in political insight, brimming with — well, let's just say, an almost uncanny ability to capture the humanity, and quite often, the outright absurdity, of power’s playground. She didn’t just report the news; she felt it, digested it, and then, with that characteristic sparkle, spun it into something utterly compelling, something you just had to read.

Born the daughter of Sir Percy Cradock, a rather distinguished former diplomat, Susanna’s path into the often-raucous world of journalism began, as many good stories do, with solid foundations. She cut her teeth, so to speak, at The Sunday Telegraph, then sharpened her formidable skills further at The Evening Standard, before finding her true journalistic home at The Mail on Sunday in 2000. And what a home it became.

The tributes, as you might expect, have poured in from every corner of the political and media establishment – a testament, truly, to the indelible mark she left on so many. Robert Peston, the political editor for ITV, described her as 'a truly lovely and exceptional journalist.' Piers Morgan, never one to mince words, spoke of her 'great warmth, wit & talent.' And Tim Shipman, from The Sunday Times, offered a rather perfect summary, didn't he? 'Fearless, funny, generous, kind, brilliant,' he wrote. She was all of that, and honestly, a good deal more. Emily Maitlis, Dan Hodges, James Cleverly – the list of those touched by her unique blend of sharp insight and, crucially, her infectious good humour, just keeps going.

Perhaps what truly underscores her spirit, though, was the quiet courage with which she faced her illness. For a long time, you see, her battle with cancer was a deeply personal one, shared only with the very closest of her circle. Yet, even as her health faltered, her commitment to her craft, to the relentless pursuit of understanding Westminster, never did. She kept writing, kept observing, kept delivering those invaluable insights, right up until the very end. Her final column, published only a few days before her passing, stands as a poignant, powerful testament to her unwavering dedication; a final, eloquent whisper from a voice we will profoundly miss.

Susanna Gross truly was one of a kind. Her departure leaves an undeniable void, not just in the newsroom of The Mail on Sunday, but across the entire, often tumultuous, world of political reporting. She brought intelligence, humanity, and, dare I say it, a certain joyful irreverence to her work. And while we mourn her loss deeply, her legacy – that beautiful blend of fearless journalism and infectious spirit – well, that will undoubtedly continue to inspire for years to come. Rest in peace, Susanna.