Prince and his then-wife Manuela Testolini sit in the audience at the 35th Annual NAACP Image Awards held at the Universal Amphitheatre, March 6, 2004 in Hollywood, California. (Frank Micelotta/Getty)
Manuela Testolini, a Canadian businesswoman, was married to the legendary musician Prince for five years.
TMZ is reporting that Prince passed away Thursday at the age of 57.
Here’s what you need to know about his second wife:
1. Testolini & Prince Married in 2001 After They Met While She Was Working for His Charitable Foundation
Prince and second wife Manuela Testolini attend the 76th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater on February 29, 2004 in Hollywood, California. (Frazer Harrison/Getty)
Prince married Manuela Testolini in 2001 after they met while she was working for his charitable foundation, People reported.
She was 24 and the singer was 43.
Testolini took Prince’s last name, Nelson, the magazine reported.
The met in Minneapolis while she was working for the charity Love4OneAnother and lived together in Toronto, the Toronto Star reported.
2. The Couple Divorced Amicably in 2006 After 5 Years of Marriage
(Getty)
Prince’s marriage to Testolini lasted five years and she filed for an amicable divorce in 2006, according to People Magazine.
“Deciding to end the marriage was a very difficult decision for Ms. Nelson,” her attorney, Edward Winer told the magazine. “She is seeking a cooperative resolution of this case and hopes the proceeding will be resolved quickly and respectfully. Ms. Nelson continues to be focused on her charitable work and her business, which remain her top priority.”
Prince’s attorney said in a statement at the time that his client just wanted to resolve the divorce amicably.
3. She Is a Native of Canada & Founded a Production Company Along With Her Charity Work
Manuela Testolini poses for a portrait at the Getty Images Portrait Studio during the 2006 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2006 in Park City, Utah. (Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
Tesolini was born in Toronto, Canada, according to the National Post.
She founded Gamillah, a production company that also featured a line of designer candles, the newspaper reported.
“It was a roller-coaster,” Testolini told the Toronto Star. “It was a very eye-opening experience to see what show business was all about. It was never my desire to be in the spotlight, but it was a great experience because it allowed me to start my own business.”
4. Testolini Married Singer Eric Benet in 2011 & Gave Birth to a Daughter in 2015
Manuela Testolini and her husband, Eric Benet. (Getty)
Testolini married singer Eric Benet in 2011.
She gave birth to a daughter, Amoura, in 2015, according to US Magazine.
5. Prince Was Also Married to Backup Singer Mayte Garcia From 1996 to 1999
Prince poses for photographers with his wife Mayte as they arrives at the De Beer and Versace “Diamonds are forever” charity fashion event 09 June 1999. (Getty)
Prince was also married to Mayte Garcia, his backup singer, from 1996 to 1999. She told The Mirror the relationship was “bizarre” in a 2015 interview:
“All the songs he wrote for me, that’s a pretty hard act to follow. I’ve dated a couple of guys, musicians, who have written me poems or songs and I’m like, ‘Seriously, don’t even go there. You can’t compete!’ But I think I’m now screwed for life because my first relationship was the most bizarre relationship ever and I’m not normal any more. I’ve kind-of been spoiled and I guess I am kind-of screwed-up now.
She gave birth to a son, Boy Gregory, in 1996, but he suffered from Pfeiffer syndrome, a rare defect of the skull, and died a week later. She told the Mirror she also had a miscarriage after becoming pregnant a second time.
Prince did not have any other children.
